MOSQUITOS OR CULICIDAE OP NEW YORK STATE 341 



Aedes smithii Coq. 



This black species may be separated from the preceding form, 

 by the absence of the cross bands of yellowish scales at the bases 

 of the abdominal segments. 



Description. Dr Dyar states that the larva has a rounded, 

 pentagonal, flattened head, and small, slender antennae, possess- 

 ing an imperceptible tuft. The comb consists of a single row of 

 15 to 20 scales, and the air tube is shorter than the two abdominal 

 segments, moderate, narrowed at the tip, and with two rows of 

 hairs on the upper and two on the lower aspect. The larva has 

 been minutely described by Johannsen. 



Distribution. This species was described from New Jersey, 

 where it occurs in pitcher plants growing in cold bogs, and as 

 this plant flourishes in some portions of New York State, the 

 chances are very good that this species occurs within our limits. 

 Mr Coquillett has also- received it from Florida, where it breeds 

 in an orchid. 



Life history and habits. This insect is remarkable in that the 

 larvae have been found only in pitcher plants. They pass the 

 winter in such situations, notwithstanding repeated freezing and 

 thawing, pupate late in May and adults appear a week or 10 days 

 later. The eggs are laid in leaves singly or in small groups fastened 

 to the sides or floating on the surface. The summer broods mature 

 in about a week, and there are probably three, if not four genera- 

 tions, but there is so much overlapping that breeding is practically 

 continuous. Late in the season the adults selec: the new leaves 

 for oviposition, even if they are dry. This species, while appar- 

 ently limited to pitcher plants, does not breed in all, since exami- 

 nations in some localities in New Jersey, and a few in New York, 

 failed to discover specimens. 



iTRANQTAENiA Arrib. 



This genus presents in many respects the same characteristics 

 as Culex and Aedes. It differs from Culex in having short palpi 

 in both sexes, and from Aedes in possessing violet blue scales on 

 the thorax. 



