CLASSIFCATION OF MOSQUITOES 



decorated with short hairs. The palpi of the Anophelinae tend to be 

 clubbed, while those of the Culex are straight. If the antennae have 

 been broken off, look for the claspers at the end of the abdomen. 

 Having determined that the insect is a female, we then proceed to place 

 it either in the subfamily Culicinae or Anophelinae by a study of the 

 relative length of the palpi to the proboscis. If the palpi are shorter 

 than the proboscis, it belongs to the Culicinae; if as long or longer, to 

 the Anophelinae. The palpi of the female Megarhininae are also long, 

 but the proboscis is curved. 



Having settled on the subfamily, we separate the genera by con- 

 sidering such points as character and distribution of scales on back of 

 head, wings, thorax, and abdomen; banding of proboscis, legs, abdomen, 

 and thorax, shape of scales on wings, and location of cross-veins. 



FIG. 94. Anopheles. FIG. 95. Culex. 



Resting positions of anopheles and culex insects. (Drawn by C. 0. Waterhouse.} 



In the resting position Culex allows the abdomen to droop, so that it is parallel 

 to the wall. The angle formed by the abdomen with head and proboscis gives a 

 hunchback appearance. 



Anopheles when resting on a wall goes out in a straight line at an angle of about 

 45. It resembles a bradawl. 



Classification. 



There are four subfamilies of Culicidae, differentiated according to 

 the palpi: 



i. Palpi as long or longer than i. Palpi as long as proboscis in females; proboscis 

 proboscis in male. straight. Anophelincs. 



2. Palpi as long or shorter than proboscis in females; 

 proboscis curved. Megarrhinina. 



3. Palpi shorter than proboscis in females. Culicina. 



>. Palpi shorter than proboscis in male and female. 



