June, 1929] MOSQUITOES OF NEW HAMPSHIRE 5 



and although the3^ would bite persons entering the woods in the day- 

 time, they were more active at dusk when they were found flying about 

 gardens and porches. The first of June Aedes vexans began to appear 

 from the grassj' fresh water pools along the coast road. This species 

 was common up to about July 25. None were found after August 5. 

 Its habits were much like those of the first two species. 



Although the above three species were common, thej^ were soon sur- 

 passed in numbers by the following two which bred in the salt marshes. 

 The brown salt-marsh mosquito (Aedes cantator) began to appear early 

 in June. The first adult was noted June 2, and three days later great 

 numbers were found over the marshes. Within a few days these had 

 spead over all the area, and this was the most abundant mosquito up to 

 about the middle of July, and was present in considerable numbers until 

 October. This species hides during the day in shrubbery or long grass, 

 but will bite readily if disturbed. It flies at dusk, is a persistent and 

 vicious biter, and enters houses freely. 



The first adult of the white-marked salt-marsh mosquito (Aedes sol- 

 licitans) was collected June 11, when it was not uncommon on the 

 marshes, and by June 15 it had spread over the entire area. It in- 

 creased in numbers until the middle of July, when it became the dom- 

 inant form, far outnumbering all the others combined. It remained 

 abundant until killed b}' frost, the last collection being made Oct. 22, 

 when it was still common. This is the worst mosquito pest along our 

 coast. It occurred in all kinds of situations, but was least common in 

 thick pine woods. It was found even in the short grass on the fairways 

 of the golf course and was the species that appeared in swarms along the 

 open beaches at dusk. It was not so active during the day as in the 

 evening, but would bite freely and viciously both by day and night, and 

 readily entered houses. The bite of this species causes a more intense 

 burning and tingling sensation than anj^ other we have met. 



Conditions in the other coast towns were very similar, at least in res- 

 pect to the salt-marsh mosquitoes. Psorophora ciliatn, Aedes trichurus, 

 Aedes stimulans and Anopheles puvctipennis have, also been collected in 

 the coast towns, but were not common enough to be of any importance. 



In the greater part of the state, not adjacent to the sea, the principal 

 mosquito pests are the early spring Aedes. These appear in May and 

 the adults Qy for two months or more. Most of them are woods mos- 

 quitoes, but some are found in the open and a few will enter houses. 

 The common species vaiy with the locality and season, but the follow- 

 ing are probably the most important: Aedes intrudens, Aedes com- 

 viunis, Aedes trichurus, Aedes canadensis, Aedes excrucians, Aedes stim- 

 ulans, and Aedes vexans. Mansonia perturbans and Culex pipiens may 

 also be of importance. The salt-marsh mosquitoes maj- Qy inland for 

 considerable distances, flights of forty miles having been recorded in 

 New Jersey-. Our only record of long flight is a female white-marked 

 salt-marsh mosquito collected at Epping Aug. 22, about seven miles 

 from the nearest breeding place. 



