30 



PARASITES OF THE DOMESTIC ANIMALS 



the shape of a lyre. At the base of each abdominal segment is a narrow, 

 silvery band, while on each side there is a silvery spot. At the base of 

 each segment of the black legs there is a distinct white band. 



Highly domestic, this species will breed in collections of water about 

 and within the habitations of man, the larvae often being found in small 

 household water receptacles, such as flower pots, vases, etc. Of its 

 habits acquired by long association with man, Howard thus speaks: "It 

 approaches stealthily from behind, retreating upon the slightest alarm. 



Fig. 16. — Group of eggs of Anopheles quadrimaculatus as they appear resting 

 naturally on the surface of the water— enlarged (after Howard, Bui. No. 25, 

 Bureau of Entomology, Dept. of Agr.). 



The ankles and, when one is'sittmg at a table or desk, the under side of 

 the hands and wrists are favorable points of attack. It attacks silently, 

 whereas other mosquitoes have a piping or humming note. The warning 

 sound has doubtless been suppressed in the evolutionary process of its 

 adaptation to man. It is extremely wary. It hides whenever it can, 

 concealing itself in garments, working into the pockets and under the 

 lapels of coats, and crawling up under the clothes to bite the legs. In 

 houses it will hide in dark corners, under picture moldings and behind 

 the heads of old-fashioned bedsteads. It will enter closets and hide in 

 the folds of garments." 



