Others, dip indiscriminately into a bucket and transfer larvae into clean water after the particulates have settled. If the preserved larvae show evidence of contamination, one or more washings with preservative may be necessary. If the specimens are to be reared through to the adult stage, it is advisable to take the time to bring back clear habitat water in a separate container. Aedes cantator larvae closely resemble Ae. Both have multiple head hairs, a siphon of moderate length, evenly spaced pecten, comb scales in a patch and an incomplete anal saddle.
Major differences occur in the structure of the gills.
The freshwater species, Ae. The brackish water breeder, Ae. cantator , has gills that are considerably shorter than the saddle and bud-like in structure. Although all four gills are short in this species, the dorsal pair is always slightly longer than the ventral pair. This is an excellent diagnostic character and can be used to quickly screen for Ae. cantator in mixed larval collections. Gills frequently break off in preserved specimens but the gills of Ae.