MOSQUITOS OR CULICIDAE OF NEW YORK STATE 251 



Pupae. Pupae of most mosquitos are very similar, active and 

 floating at the surface of the water. This stage is usually short, 

 its duration being greatly modified by the temperature. 



Methods of collecting and breeding. Mosquitos are readily cap- 

 tured with a dexterous sweep of the hand, and by exercising a 

 little caution the body will be only slightly crushed and the speci- 

 men, therefore, not ruined for identification. They may also be 

 taken by deftly slipping a small cyanid bottle or one containing 

 a little cotton soaked with chloroform over the insect while it is 

 at rest on a wall or person, or inside an insect net, if the latter 

 be used. The fumes of the cyanid or 

 chloroform kill the insects quickly, and 

 they can then be easily transmitted in 

 small vials between lightly placed 

 wads or layers of cotton. The species 

 occurring in and about houses are of 

 special importance. 



Some of the rare forms and per- 

 fect individuals of most species can ^.^ ^ ^^^^^ pipiens. 

 be obtained as easily by collecting &"^s'' Dep^^ Agr!i^.%?v"Xt: 



, , , . , , Bui. 25, n. s. 1900) 



the larvae as in any other way. 



The latter may be found in pools of almost any character where 

 fish do not occur, and sometimes in small numbers even when 

 these enemies are present. Mosquitos have decided preferences 

 in breeding places, and various species may be found under 

 widely different conditions. An examination of almost any small 

 body of water should reveal specimens sometime during the season. 

 A definite idea of breeding places of different species, may be 

 gained by Teference to the accounts of various forms. Larvae 

 may be taken by the use of a fine meshed coffee strainer, and if a 

 small porcelain dish or one lined with white enamel is used for the 

 reception of the catch, it will be much easier to detect them. They 

 may be kept alive several hours in small vials partly filled with 

 water, or they may be killed at once by transferring them to 50^ 

 alcohol, which is strong enough to preserve them for several days, 

 after which they should be placed in 75 to 85;^ alcohol. Both 



