REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST I915 69 



Irritating mosquito (Mansonia perturbans Walk.) . 

 This large species is easily recognized by the strongly contrasting 

 colors, especially the broad, white band near the middle of the beak 

 and the similar bands on the legs, the broad one on the posterior 

 tarsi being characteristic. The abdomen is distinctly white-banded 

 at the base of each segment and the wings with their large, white and 

 dark-colored scales have a somewhat peciiliar, mottled appearance. 



Adults of this species were first observed on the wing June 14th 

 and continued to fly till August 30th. A recently emerged adult, 

 indicated by its nearly perfect condition, was taken on that date at 

 Lake Bluff. The continuance of small ntimbers of adults, even later 

 in the season, is probable, since a full-grown larva was taken at 

 Wintergreen point August 31st. This species appears to be one of 

 the most troublesome in that locality, as illustrated by collections 

 on Sodus Point July 15th, at which time some twenty annoying 

 mosquitoes were captured and every specimen was found to be of 

 this species. These mosquitoes were rather numerous near the large 

 swamp (25.8) just on the edge of the village. Again, July 23d, 

 collecting on Eagle island near the center of the bay and remote 

 from any suitable mosquito-breeding area, resulted in the capture 

 of this species, and on visiting the south shore between First and 

 Second creeks every mosquito captured proved to be this species. 

 Similar conditions obtained on the evening of July 27 th at Lake 

 Bluff, except that a specimen of another species. Anopheles 

 punctipennis, was also taken. The evening was especially 

 favorable for mosquitoes, being rather warm and with little or no 

 breeze. This species is well known as one of the fiercest and hardest 

 biters. It enters houses readily and has very likely been responsible 

 for much of the annoyance caused by mosquitoes in and about 

 Sodus Point. 



The tendency of this species to fly or drift some distance with the 

 wind is indicated by the capture of specimens referred to above on 

 Eagle island and also the finding of numbers at least half of a mile 

 from any floating cat-tails. 



It has been well known for several years that the larvae of this 

 mosquito are peculiar in that they do not come to the surface but 

 rely upon the collections of air in the roots of various aquatic plants. 

 The wrigglers or larvae are easily distinguished from those of all other 

 native mosquitoes by the strongly tapered, acute air tube which is 

 thrust into the roots of cat-tails, Typha latifolia, and also 

 the water loosestrife, Docodon verticillatus. It is 

 possible also that they may live upon the roots of some other plants. 



