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Chapter XXI 



THE IDENTIFICATION OF ANOPHELINE 

 LARVAE 



1. Naked Eye Characters. — Some larvae may 

 be identified by the naked eye. The distinction, 

 however, between most species is insufficient to 

 allow of separation by this means. 



2. Observe that the colour of larvae is not 

 dependent on species but on the nature of the food, 

 amount of light they have been exposed to in 

 nature, the colour of the water, and other general 

 conditions. 



3. The most distinctive of Anopheles larvae 

 are those of M. sinensis and M. barbirostris. These 

 are very large larvae, most frequently black, or 

 black speckled with white, but also brown or 

 vivid green in colour. One of their characteristics 

 is a peculiar ' stick- like ' appearance, and the 

 assumption of a bent or contorted attitude. 



The larvae of M. turkhudi can be detected 

 by their attitude, which is almost Culex-like. 

 Larvae about to change into nymphae, however, 

 also frequently adopt this position. 



Naked eye examination always requires 

 verification by the microscope. 



(A) Larvae may be bred from ova deposited 

 by females of a known species. To successfully 

 accomplish this requires a good deal of care. 



