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Chapter XIX 
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 Anopheline larvae 
are those of M. nigerrimus and M. barhirostris. 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 J appearance, and the assumption of a bent 
or contorted attitude. 
The larvae of M. turkhudi and M. az,riki can be 
detected by their attitude, which is almost Culex- like. 
Larvae about to change into nymphae, also frequently 
adopt this position. 
Naked eye examination always requires verifica¬ 
tion by the microscope. 
(A) Larvae may be bred from ova deposited by 
females of a known species. To successfully accom¬ 
plish this requires a good deal of care. 
1. Remove the paper upon which the ova have 
been laid (p. 92), and place in a small bottle containing 
some filtered fresh water from a pool or rain puddle. 
2. Place in a good light, but take care that the 
sun, by the focussing action of the glass, does not heat 
the water, otherwise the larvae will be killed. 
