264 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



unci, as we have identified them, consist of a pair of usually 

 fused processes on the ventral margin, which present considerable 

 variations in structure. In addition, there is frequently pres- 

 ent anterior to the unci, a pair of peculiar, rudimentary, spine- 

 tipped organs, which apparently belong to the preceding seg- 

 ment, and for the purpose of identification they have been termed 

 appendages of the eighth abdominal segment. Lack of material 

 hiais prevented working out thoroughly the homologies of these 

 organs. 



It may be well in this connection to call attention briefly to 

 some of the more important characteristics of mosquito larvae. 

 The antennae vary somewhat in form and coloration, and par- 

 ticularly in the position and size of the antennal tuft [fig. 64] . 

 The labial plate presents characteristic variations in certain 

 species [fig. 12, 44]. The more important characters, however, 

 are found in the air tube, its form and relative length and in the 

 rows of posterior pecten or teeth at its base [fig. 21, 45]. There is 

 wide variation in the number of teeth, their serrations, degree 

 of development [fig. 22, 40],- and within certain limits consider- 

 able constancy obtains. There is also an interesting patch of 

 scales or spinelike scales on each side of the eighth abdominal 

 segment, which for the sake of brevity has been termed the comb. 

 The size of this patch, varies consideTably and there are marked 

 differences between the various species in the number and struc- 

 ture of the component scales [fig. 13, 28, 48] and in our experience 

 there is a much greater constancy in the number of comb scales 

 than has been recorded by some. In the interests of clearness 

 and brevity the term pecten has been limited to the structures 

 occurring on the air tube, while the component members of the 

 comb are designated as scales. Several characters of less general 

 importance are mentioned in treating of the various species. 



Key to subfamilies 



a Proboscis long, formed for piercing ; palpi long in both sexes ; wings 



usually spotted Anoplielinae 



h Palpi short ^n female ; wing« not usually spotted Oulicinae 



&b Palpi short in both sexes Aedeomyinae 



aa Proboscis short, not formed for pierqjng Corethrinae 



