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Chapter VII 



MOSQUITOES 



Mosquitoes belong to the order of Diptera, 

 or true flies, which are characterized by : — 



1. A single pair of membranous wings. 



2. Suctorial mouth. 



3. Complete metamorphosis. 



In all mosquitoes, except the genera, Corethra 

 and Mochlonyx, there is a long piercing proboscis, 

 which is characteristic of the CiiUcidae. Mosquitoes 

 usually are about five mm. in length, but certain 

 species, e.g., Megarhinus, are much larger. 



Flies which may be mistaken for mosquitoes 

 are : — 



I. Chivonomidae (Midges), e.^. Chironomus. — 

 Costal vein does not extend beyond the tip of the 

 wing. Antennae of male densely feathered. Legs 



vnomus. 



long and slender [Vide Appendix). They do not 

 possess the characteristic proboscis of mosquitoes. 

 The veins of their wings are more complex, and 



