STEGOMYIA FA8CIATA. 717 



Keed and Carroll found the larvae of stegomyia 

 "(1) in rain-water barrels; (2) in tin cans that 

 had been used for removing excreta and which 

 still contained a small amount of fecal matter; 



(3) in sagging gutters containing rain water; 



(4) in cesspools; (5) in tin cans placed about 

 table legs to prevent the inroads of red ants; (6) 

 in the collection of water at the base of the leaves 

 of the agave americana; (7) in one end of a 

 horse trough that was in daily use." These in- 

 stances are cited to show the general character of 

 the places in which the eggs and larvae of stegomyia 

 may be found. The eggs are deposited during the 

 night, in about seven days after the ingestion of 

 blood, and "in pairs, in groups of three or more 

 or singly," to the number of forty-seven on the 

 average (Reed and Carroll). The eggs are very 

 resistant to drying and extreme cold ( 17 C.). 

 With a' favorable temperature they hatch in from 

 three to seven days ; the larval stage lasts for seven 

 days, the pupal two days, the total cycle being 

 completed in about twelve days. As in the case of 

 anopheles, only the female stegomyia sucks blood. 

 The insect prefers the hours from 3 p. m. to 9 a. 

 m. for feeding, but is most active from 4 p. m. 

 to midnight. "In captivity the hungry impreg- 

 nated female will bite at any hour of the day or 

 night." In a state of freedom it will not bite a Time of 

 second time for from five to seven days. It ap- 

 pears not to bite when the temperature is lower 



than 62 F., another factor in the subsidence 

 of yellow fever with the advent of cool weather. 

 For further details concerning the morphology, 

 biology and habits of stegomyia consult Howard 

 on "The Mosquito" ; Eeed and Carroll, "The Pre- 



