The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-03
THE MOSQUITO DISCUSSED
An Agricultural Department Bull
letin Abeut the Insect.
DIR. l.. o. Howard, of the Division of
Entomology, Complies Number OF
terminating the Pests-Remedies
for Bites-Some Queer Experiments

Mosquitoes, the terror OF the summer
pleasure seeker, the bane Of the summer
hotel keeper. and the stock in trade of the
man who writes jokes at the expense OF
New Jersey. are the subject CT discussion
in bulletin recently issued by the Depart
ment of Agriculture. L. o. Howard. Ph- d..
Of the Division of Entomology. is the au-
thor of the pamphlet, which discloses
number - interesting facts heretofore not
generally known about the pestiferous il
sects The question OF how to abate the
nuisance caused by TIE presence OF great
numbers OF mosquitoes is discussed at
length. as is also the biology and structure
OF both sexes OF the insect
- The popular literature OF entomology is
replete with instances of the incredible
numbers in which mosquitoes have been
found in various parts OF the globe. hirD5
and Spence, two noted entomologi5ts. re-
fer to their experience In Lapiand. where
the mosquitoes were so thick as 10 re-
semble a cloud. and 1t was impossible TO
breathe without filling the nostrils with
them. In the Crimea the Russian SOL
diers were compelled to sleep in sacks 10
avoid the bites OF mosquitoes, which, at
times, were so severe that blood poison,
resulting in death. often occurred. The
insects are not confined to any particular
cline. but have been encountered in all
zones Travellers in darkest Africa nave
suffered from their onslaughts and rene
dies from mosquito bites are usually con-
tanned in the medicine chest OF the Alas
kan miner.
Mosquito Wine Bibbcr.
1t is a popular supposition that the
blood of warm blooded animals is the food
OF the mosquito, and that it is necessary
for its sustenance. However. this is un-
true. Millions of the insects are bred and
die in places where no animal ever
comes. Mosquitoes seem to subsist on
anv kind OF food and often seemingly on
nothing at all In one case the insects
were observed under microscope TO sip
at drops OF water and cases OF fondness
for molasses have been recorded Inc
idea of a mosquito becoming intoxicated
seems absurd but, in letter from resi-
dent of the British West Indies, case
of that nature is cited. The correspond
ent writes:
Tn. males are very fond Of wine, and almost
.vsrI dav I can catch one or two-always males
on the neck Of deeaHter or in wineglaSs N,
has lust been used. | put few mosquitoes u-l-
der A bell lar day in order 10 watch theIn-
| put a single drop of port wine under the jar,
Al | had heard that mosquitoes could be kept
alive for a long time wine. When went to
look at them few hours later fouad them
all apparently dead, | put them in 4 dry
bottle, intending to pin them later When
went to pin them shortly sfterward they were
all staggering about in the most ridiculous man
ner-they were drunk.
In addition to the general annoyance
caused by the insects there is a source OF
real danger that attends from their
presence. 1t has been demonstrated by
medical authorities that mosquitoes can
and often do draw the malarial germ from
a person afflicted with malaria fever and
deposit it In the blood of a healthy ILdi-
vidual. This fact may account for the
spread of malaria decidedly a non con-
tagious complaint. in regions where
mosquitoes are most numerous and at
times of the year when they are most
troublesome.
Regions that abound In Iowlan1s and
are dotted with small pools OF stlgnant
water and bits OF marsh land (botn prime
breeding places for the mosquito larvae)
are. more than other places infested with
mosquitoes. New Jersey has acquired
universal notoriety as a region where the
MOSQUITO reaches the highest stage OF It's
DEVELOPMENT and where 1t Is most active
in its warfare against man. There is no
doubt that there are great numbers OF
mosquitoes in various parts OF the State,
but it is doubted If they are larger or
more aggressive there than elsewhere.
Carried on Trains.
Even portions of the Jersey highlands
are infested by the insects when there
seems no reason for their presence. as
there is no water or marsh land in the
neighborhoods where they become preya-
lent An explanation Of their presence Is
advanced in the following novel manner,
which seems to be correct: Every evening