4 
PROCEEDINGS OP THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. 
learns more quickly, is more capable of receiving new ideas, and if he 
develops the right attitude on mosquito control in his school days, that 
attitude is likely to persist throughout his adult life. It is quite possible 
that the ratepayer will be influenced more by his children than by direct 
methods. 
(6) The Freshwater Mosquito Problem. 
Included in this problem are all the mosquitoes breeding in fresh 
water other than the domestic species. Quite a variety of breeding- 
places is involved, including small creeks, lagoons, swamps, rock-pools 
and tree-holes. Of the 80-100 species of mosquitoes breeding in fresh 
water, only five species can be considered as important. The other 
species bite occasionally but are not sufficiently numerous to warrant 
control measures. The important species are as follows: — 
1. Anopheles annuUpes. This mosquito is found in all parts of 
Australia and usually breeds in fresh, clean water containing aquatic 
vegetation and exposed to sunlight. At times, it occurs in very large 
numbers and bites viciously out of doors at dusk and for a few hours 
afterwards. This species is an efficient vector of malaria and is 
probably responsible for most of the cases of malaria contracted south 
of Cairns. 
2. Anopheles punctulatus. This species occurs in North Queens- 
land, the southern limit being about Ingham. It breeds in a wide range 
of breeding-places, particularly in man-made parts, such as wheel- ruts, 
borrow-pits and other small excavations. It can also breed in brackish 
pools exposed to sunlight. The adult mosquito readily enters dwellings 
and bites from dusk to dawn. As a general rule it does not remain 
indoors very long after it has taken a blood meal. 
This species and its close relatives are the most efficient carriers of 
malaria in the S.W. Pacific and it was responsible for the epidemics in 
Cairns (1942) and New Guinta. The fact that it appears to show some 
preference for seeking a blood meal indoors is possibly the main reason 
why it is more important as a carrier of malaria than Anopheles 
annulipes. 
3. The third species in this complex is Culex annidirostris. It is a 
very common mosquito out of doors throughout Eastern Australia, but 
not as a rule found in large numbers indoors. It becomes very active at 
dusk and continues to bite viciously throughout the night. This species 
breeds in freshwater creeks, lagoons and in any clean water containing 
an abundance of vegetation. Usually it is associated with Anopheles 
annulipes. Sometimes, where a large freshwater creek or swamp occurs 
close to dwellings, this mosquito can almost be regarded as a domestic 
species and under such conditions is associated with Culex fatigans. It 
is not considered that Culex annulirostris plays any important role in the 
spread of disease; but it may be a real nuisance in urban and suburban 
areas. 
4. Two other species sometimes occurring in large numbers in 
Queensland are Mansonia uniformis and Mansonia xanthogaster. Both 
these species occur in fresh water containing aquatic vegetation, and their 
larvae are noted for their peculiar habit of remaining attached to the 
roots of aquatic plants for long periods. The siphon of the larva is 
inserted into the root and the larva is able to tap the air contained in 
the root, and at the same time is free to obtain food from the water. 
The adults of these species are vicious biters day and night, both in and 
out of dwellings. Mansonia xanthogaster is a smooth blood-red mosquito, 
the conspicuous colour attracting attention whenever it is prevalent. 
