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Chapter VI 
Mosquitoes 
Mosquitoes belong to the order of Diptera, or 
true flies, which are characterised by :— 
1. A single pair of membranous wings. 
2. Suctorial mouth. 
3. Complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, 
nymph). 
They differ from all other flies in that they have 
scales on the wings and body. 
In all mosquitoes, except the genera Corethra 
and Mochlonyx , there is a long piercing proboscis, 
which is characteristic of the Culicidae. 
Fig. 15. Chironomus 
Flies which may be mistaken for mosquitoes are :— 
1. Chironomidae (Midges), e.g. Chironomus .— 
Costal vein does not extend beyond the tip of the wing. 
Antennae of male densely feathered. Legs long and 
slender (vide ch. xxxiii). They do not possess the 
characteristic proboscis of mosquitoes. The veins of 
their wings are more complex, and are quite devoid of 
scales (Fig. 15). 
