64 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



The information gained in connection with the preliminary survey 

 of Septem.ber 19 14, indicated a probable variation in the number and 

 presumably the variety of annoying m_osquitoes. Tti.ere is a local 

 belief to the effect that m.osquitoes are m.uch less num.erous at 

 periods of low water, which is very probably true. An examina- 

 tion of the monthly m.ean record of water levels, obtained through 

 the courtesy of the Federal Government, shows that there has been 

 during the past eight years, a variation in lake level of three and 

 one-half feet. This, it will be see:i at once, might have a marked 

 influence upon the production of mosquitoes, and it is probable 

 that some species are more troublesome during periods of high water, 

 while others are annoying forms at times of low water. These changes 

 in conditions and their effect upon the m.osquito fauna are of practical 

 value in any attempts to control the insects, and for that reason 

 studies such as have been conducted the past season should be 

 continued for a series of years for the purpose of obtaining exact 

 information as to mosquito breeding under the varying conditions. 

 There is also, aside from the influence of high water, m.ore or less 

 m.odification in habits and abundance of the various species, due to 

 purely climatic changes. 



The most serious menace to comfort appears to lie in the relatively 

 small, swampy areas. in and about Sodus Point and, to a less extent, 

 in the extended cat-tail and sedge marshes in and about Second and 

 Third creeks in particular, and possibly the considerably larger area 

 south of Port Glasgow. The bearing these latter have upon the 

 problem, of mosquito annoyance can be determ.ined only after m.ore 

 data have been secured relative to the breediitg and flight of the 

 irritating m.osquito, a species which depends for its air supply upon 

 the roots of aquatic plants, especially cat-tails, and one which would 

 very probably find greatly increased opportunities for multiplication 

 during seasons of high water. 



The m.ost practical outcome of the work of the past season is the 

 dem.onstration that mosquitoes, even under very unfavorable con- 

 ditions, can be controlled to a considerable extent at least, at a very 

 moderate expenditure. In the case of this somewhat unusual 

 problem., one m.an devoted his entire time for three months to the 

 work and applied less than seven barrels of oil, this treatment being 

 restricted to areas where larvae were actually found in considerable 

 abundance. The cost of the entire work was less than $250. By 

 far the greater num.ber of communities in the State are not con- 

 fronted with any such serious problem., and therefore a considerably 

 smaller expenditure should give very satisfactory results. 



