7 2 
Larvae which may be mistaken for those of 
mosquitoes are : 
1. Chironomidae. —The larva of Ghironomus is 
a red worm-like creature (blood worms). On the 
prothorax it has a pair of feet armed with hooks 
(Fig. 25). 
2. Ephemeridae (May-flies). — The larvae of 
certain small Ephemeridae may, at first glance, be 
mistaken for mosquito larvae. There is no real resem¬ 
blance, and the triradiate tail of the Ephemera larva 
and the tracheal gills distinguish it (Fig. 25). 
3. Dixidae. —The larva of Dixa rather closely 
resembles the larva of Anophelines , though not other 
mosquito larvae (Fig. 25). Ventrally it has pseudo¬ 
pods on the fourth and fifth segments. 
In its movement along the surface of the water 
the larva of Dixa resembles Anopheline larvae, and this 
larva also rests horizontally just beneath the surface 
film. 
In Dixa there is no globular thorax, and the whole 
larva is longer and thinner than an Anopheline larva 
(eight mm.). Moreover, Dixa larva only indents the 
surface film at the head and tail, there being no palmate 
hairs on any of the segments. Dixa larva moves very 
rapidly, and has a habit of climbing above the surface 
of the water and resting in a loop with the head and 
tail downwards. When placed in a specimen tube it 
climbs up the side and becomes lodged in crevices in the 
cork. It is frequently found in running water. 
4. Mochlonyx. —Note absence of palmate hairs 
on dorsum and presence of respiratory syphon, but less 
developed than in a Culicine. They are extremely 
voracious. They lie deep in the water. 
5. Corethra. —From their transparent nature 
known as c Phantom-larvae.’ They have a very small 
