72 



Larvae which, may be mistaken for those of 

 mosquitoes are : 



1. Chironomidae. The larva of Chironomus is 

 a red worm-li-ke creature (blood worms). On the 

 prothorax it has a pair of feet armed with hooks 

 (Fig. 25). 



2. Ephemeridae (May-flies). The larvae of 

 certain small Ephemeridae may, at first glance, be 

 mistaken for mosquito larvae. There is no real resem- 

 blance, and the triradiate tail of the Ephemera larva 

 and the tracheal gills distinguish it (Fig. 25). 



3. Dixidae. The larva of Dixa rather closely 

 resembles the larva of Anophelines, though not other 

 mosquito larvae (Fig. 25). Ventrally it has pseudo- 

 pods on the fourth and fifth segments. 



In its movement along the surface of the water 

 the larva of Dixa resembles Anopheline larvae, and this 

 larva also rests horizontally just beneath the surface 

 film. 



In Dixa there is no globular thorax, and the whole 

 larva is longer and thinner than an Anopheline larva 

 (eight mm.). Moreover, Dixa larva only indents the 

 surface film at the head and tail, there being no palmate 

 hairs on any of the segments. Dixa larva moves very 

 rapidly, and has a habit of climbing above the surface 

 of the water and resting in a loop with the head and 

 tail downwards. When placed in a specimen tube it 

 climbs up the side and becomes lodged in crevices in the 

 cork. It is frequently found in running water. 



4. Mochlonyx. Note absence of palmate hairs 

 on dorsum and presence of respiratory syphon, but less 

 developed than in a Culicine. They are extremely 

 voracious. They lie deep in the water. 



5. Corethra. From their transparent nature 

 known as ' Phantom-larvae.' They have a very small 



