310 INSECTS AND OTHER SMALL ANIMALS 



three times, it changes into the pupal stage. This is 

 characterized by having two tubular, leaflike appendages 

 extending from the thorax, which it thrusts above the 

 surface of the water to get a supply of air. In a few 

 more days its pupal skin bursts and the mosquito 

 emerges, using the pupal skin as a kind of raft on which 

 to float till its wings are dry. Rough water or flowing 

 water upsets the raft, and the mosquito is drowned. 

 The mosquito has many natural enemies. Fish eat 

 large numbers of the wigglers. The dragon fly eats 

 them as larvae and in the imago form. A thin film of 

 kerosene or crude petroleum on water will kill the wig- 

 glers when they attempt to get air. This is one of the 

 methods used to destroy them in swamps and small 

 lakes. A small amount of water, such as may be con- 

 tained in a discarded fruit can, may be the breeding 

 place of hundreds of mosquitoes. Rain barrels should 

 be kept covered and low places near the home should 

 be drained if we would decrease this pest. 



Fleas. Fleas cannot fly, but they have very strong 

 legs that enable them to jump great distances. The 

 eggs of the flea are laid in the hair or fur of a dog, cat, 

 or other animal, or in their bedding. If on the hair, they 

 drop on the ground and in a few days are hatched. The 

 larva lives for two weeks, and then enters the pupal stage, 

 which lasts from ten days to two weeks. 



If they infest the house, a liberal application of 

 Persian insect powder on carpets and in any other 

 places infested by them will usually kill them. Dogs 

 and cats should be washed frequently with strong 

 soapsuds, or with one of the coal tar dips. 



The Botfly. - - This fly lays its eggs on the hair 

 of horses, usually on the front legs. If then a horse 



