MOSQUITOS OR CULICIDAE OF NEW YORK STATE 295 



specimens may often be distinguished from closely allied forms by 

 the much darker sides of the thorax compared with the dorsum. 



The egg has been described by Dr Smith, as spindle-shaped, just 

 a little curved, shiny and usually black when deposited. 



The larva according to Dr Smith is light slate gray in color, 

 head yellow, and without markings of any kind. The anal siphon 

 is short, stout; the antennae short, slender, black at the tip and 

 without obvious set-off or prominent tufting. The shape of the 

 head, and specially of the vertex, is quite characteristic. The 

 labial plate is represented at figure 35. The comb consists of 28 to 

 40 spatulate, thorn-tipped scales. Liarvae of O. c a n t a n s and 



Fig. 35 Labial plate of C. sollicitans 



O. taJeniorhynchus resemble this species closely and are 

 not easily separated. 



The pupa presents no characteristic features. 



Distribution. This mosquito has been recorded from various 

 localities along the coast from Maine south to Florida ; and from 

 Jamaica. We have taken it about Lake Onondaga, N. Y. Theo- 

 bald lists it doubtfully from the Galapagos islands and from 

 Tamsui, Formosa. 



Life history and habits. This species is such an abundant and 

 annoying form, that considerable space may well be given to a 

 discussion of its habits. The investigations of Dr J. B. Smith, 

 state entomologist of New Jersey, who is doubtless the best posted 

 regarding this mosquito, show that the winter is passed by this 

 species in the egg stage. The eggs remain on or in the black mud^ 



