56 Insect Life : Its Why and Wherefore 
The way in which the gnats congregate 
together in clouds or swarms is peculiar. 
Occasionally these swarms are of very 
huge dimensions, and are often composed 
entirely of females. The way in which 
this large body of these insects will move 
from place to place suggests almost a 
military leader or some preconcerted signal. 
The female deposits her eggs upon the 
surface of water, and as they are laid, 
packs them closely with her hind legs. 
So carefully are they fastened together that 
they form a kind of little raft or boat, 
which will not upset or collapse however 
much the surface of the water may be 
agitated. When ready to hatch, the larva 
emerges from the under side of the egg 
and simply drops into the water. The 
larvae of the gnat are very active and swim 
with a peculiar jerky method. If you 
have round your house any tanks or 
barrels of rain-water, you must often have 
noticed the embryo gnat taking its exercise. 
It frequently comes to the surface to 
breathe, and the way it accomplishes this 
feat is quite one of the many curiosities of 
insect life. On arriving at the surface of 
