290 
A Monograph of Culicidae. 
istic. Legs long, very slender, hairy, unarmed ; ungues of female 
smal], simple; the joints rather constricted. 
The larvae of this genus live in almost any water, but 
prefer dear water, and are not infrequent in water con¬ 
taining fish, their clearness and transparency protecting them. 
A description of the larvae will be found on p. 34, Yol. I. 
None of Coretlira have 
been recorded as causing any 
annoyance, the mouth parts 
not being drawn out into a 
proboscis as in other Culicidae. 
Their food consists mainly of 
vegetable substances. They 
mostly occur in the open 
country, but may sometimes 
be found in woods. Very 
seldom do they seem to enter 
houses. Damp and swampy 
places, especially along small 
rivers and dykes, are their favourite localities. The European 
species are disposed to assemble in large companies, and may be 
seen in cloud-like masses, especially under sheltered banks, &c., 
where they are not affected by the wind. Some of the species 
( C . culiciformis and C. plumicornis) are double-hooded. 
Fourteen species have so far been described, eleven of which 
occur in Europe. One species has been recorded from America 
(C. punctipennis, Say) and the West Indies; another species 
(C. Maniliensis, Schiner) has been found in the Philippines, one 
from India, and one ( C . Antarctica ) from New Zealand. I do 
not feel at all sure as to the validity of five of the European 
species, but not having seen the types I do not feel competent 
to express a definite opinion. I have only been able to examine 
and redescribe six of the fourteen species; the remaining eight 
species are given in the original description. One new species 
sent by Col. Giles from India is described, it being the only 
Asiatic form recorded, and another has recently been received 
from Dr. Lutz from Brazil. 
Corethra evidently abounds in Central Africa, especially in 
the region of Lake Nyassa, for they are made into a cake called 
“ Kunga cake ” in that district ( vide Proc. Ent. Soc. Lond. 
p. lvi. (1878), A. Eaton). 
I have not noticed a single specimen of this genus in the 
Fig. 295. 
Base of the wing in Corethra. 
