200 



Chapter XIX 



THE IDENTIFICATION OF ANOPHELINE LARVAE 



1. Naked Eye Characters. Some larvae may 

 be identified by the naked eye. The distinction, 

 however, between most species is insufficient to allow 

 of separation by this means. 



2. Observe that the colour of larvae is not 

 dependent on species but on the nature of the food, 

 amount of light they have been exposed to in nature, 

 the colour of the water, and other general conditions. 



3. The most distinctive of Anofheline larvae 

 are those of M . nigerrimus and M. barbirostris. These 

 are very large larvae, most frequently black, or black, 

 speckled with white, but also brown or vivid green 

 in colour. One of their characteristics is a peculiar 

 ' stick-like ' appearance, and the assumption of a bent 

 or contorted attitude. 



The larvae of M. turkhudi and M. azriki can be 

 detected by their attitude, which is almost Culex-like. 

 Larvae about to change into nymphae, also frequently 

 adopt this position. 



Naked eye examination always requires verifica- 

 tion by the microscope. 



(A) Larvae may be bred from ova deposited by 

 females of a known species. To successfully accom- 

 plish this requires a good deal of care. 



1. Remove the paper upon which the ova have 

 been laid (p. 92), and place in a small bottle containing 

 some filtered fresh water from a pool or rain puddle. 



2. Place in a good light, but take care that the 

 sun,; by the focussing action of the glass, does not heat 

 the water, otherwise the larvae will be killed. 



