Notes on Mosquito Larvae 



HERBERT M. HALE 



South Australian Museum 



1. The Larval Mosquito. 2. Head of Larva, Showing Tracheae, etc. 3. 

 Breathing Tube and Tracheal Gills of Larva. 4. Pupae Floating Below Sur- 

 face Film. 5. Termination of Abdomen of Pupa, Showing the Paddles. 

 Photomicrographs by the Author. 



Mosquitoes occur nearly all over the 

 world, though they may not everywhere 

 be recognized as such. Aquarists are 

 familiar with the tiny aquatic larva of 

 the insect, perhaps better known as the 

 "mosquito wriggler." This name is ac- 

 counted for by the peculiar method of 

 swimming. The larva appears to "wrig- 

 gle" through the water, progression being 

 accomplished by quick sideways move- 

 ments of the body. As a fish food it is 

 almost unrivaled, being appreciated by 

 nearly all fishes ; youngsters thrive and 

 grow rapidly when liberally fed with 

 small larvae. The number eaten is enor- 

 mous. An instance is recorded of a 



female Gambusia a f finis which, although 

 regularly fed on other foods, consumed 

 about 140 large wrigglers within an hour 

 and a half. In the Hawaiian Islands, 

 where mosquitoes are prevalent, this fish 

 has been successfully acclimated, and 

 materially reduced the pest. The in- 

 sects, if unchecked, increase very rapidly 

 and require only a month in which to 

 complete their metamorphoses, being then 

 ready to bring forth a new generation. 

 The aquarist may insure a supply by in- 

 stalling a tub in a quiet corner of the 

 garden ; water containing straw or any 

 decaying matter will furnish suitable 

 breeding conditions. Before long numer- 



