﻿526 BANKS. 



Only the female of this species has been described previously by Theo- 

 bald, and I find no mention of the male having been taken. All my males 

 were obtained by breeding. They are about equally as abundant as the- 

 females in bred material. 



I have noted that when at rest, the males fold their wings so that the 

 costal edges instead of being parallel, as in the female, converge pos- 

 teriorly, giving the insect a distinctly tapering appearance. This feature 

 will be a sure guide to distinguishing the sexes in living specimens when 

 they are at rest, and even when the palpi are not readily visible or distin- 

 guishable. The males feed readily on banana and suck large quantities 

 of salt water, their abdomina often appearing almost transparent from 

 the amount taken. The structure of the mouth-parts of the male is such 

 that it is impossible for it to puncture the skin and therefore it can not 

 bite. 



HABITS OF THE ADULT. 



Contrary to the general rule and to my expectations, this mosquito is 

 essentially a dry-season form ; that is to say, it is most prevalent during 

 the months from November to June. I believe it to be a strictly salt- 

 water form, delighting, during the larval and pupal stages, in the brightest 

 sunshine. This explains its comparative scarcit) r in the rainy season. 

 Its breeding grounds, because of the tides, never dry completely. The 

 temperature during the dry period is very favorable to the multiplication 

 . of several generations. The lack of hard rains, which would beat the 

 surface of the water in the breeding places, makes it possible for the 

 greatest number of eggs to hatch and of larvae to reach maturity, while 

 the adults find sufficient shelter from the sun, which is fatal to them, in 

 the dense foliage and along the banks of their breeding places. 



If the adults are disturbed during the bright, sunny hours of the day, 

 they invariably fly but a short distance, alighting in the characteristic 

 attitude, always in the shade and usually upon the underside of a leaf. 



These mosquitoes are frequently found in houses and their favorite 

 resting places are the undersides of tables, cupboards, beds, in the dark 

 corners of ceilings or upon the portions of dark clothing which are shaded. 

 The females are the ones invariably encountered. It appears that the 

 males never leave the vicinity of their breeding places. 



I have observed that both sexes drink salt water when they are kept 

 in confinement, usually within an hour after their emerging from the 

 pupa. 



Copulation. — The sexes are equally active and in the late afternoon they may 

 be found copulating, both in the free state and in captivity. The mode of copula- 

 tion is the same as that of Stegomyia. The females which hang from the leaf 

 or the gauze over the breeding jars, loose their hold with their middle legs and 

 hang only by the fore legs when approached by the males. The latter fly against 



