Le MeschaceÌbeÌ. [volume] ([Lucy] La.) 1853-1942, 1910-05-21
Continued from Previous Nunaber.) }
Mosquitoes and Malaria.

For those people living In mosquito In
fitted districts, it is necessary to know
sdnething of the life history of this
aHmal in order to prevent its develop
Esnt. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in mas
ss IN quiet pools of water in the scum
qvered lake, in the swamp, in the side
kpl by the side flowing stream, in ditch
dSa drain in the field, about the back
DOR in rain barrel, in an old pail or can
tt2k has accumulated rain water and has
been permitted to remain undisturbed for
asuficient number OF days. 1 once heard
Of a fine crop of mosquitoes that bred In
a washbowI which the house wife ne
elected to empty in the rush of closing up
the house preparatory to journey OF
few weeks.
In period of from "a hours to 5 or 4
days the eggs hatch into second stage,
commonly known as 'wigglers,' or wig
gletails.' A little observation as to the
habit of these wigglers reveals the fact
that frequently they appear at the sur
face of the water. While they are water
animals. they are also air breathers and
the frequent visits to the surface of the
water supplies them with air. This know
ledge gives hint as to one method by
which large numbers of mosquitoes may
be destroyed, method that has been em-
ploye dsuccessfully in mosquito infect
ed regions. A thin layer of kerosene
poured upon the surface Of the water ex-
cludes the air and the mosquitoes, unable
to penetrate this layer Of kerosene, die Of
suffocataon.
After period of 10 or IL days to a
period of three weeks, varying with the
species. the wiggIer floats quietly upon
the surface of the water. and when the
time is come. out from the water soaked
coat slips the airy, gauzy winged mos
quito. 1t is said that mosquitoes prefer
for the diet the blood of animals or man
but since that is not always at hand they
quite easily become vegetarians and sub
sist comfortably upon the juices Of
plants.
How to recognize the Malaria
Carrying Mosquito.
There are very many mosquitoes which
have not yet been proven to carry mala-
ria. In fact, the majority of mosquitoes
are supposed to be harmless. except for
the imitation produced by the bite. The
oommonest of all mosquitoes belong to
a certain group known as Oulex. These
are the ordinary mosquitoes breeding in
rain barrels and chance temporary pools.
The group that has been proven to carry
malaria germ is celled Anophelas. 1t is
not necessary to remember the name OF
these two particular groups, but it is ne
to recognize the Distinguishing
and habits. The harmless
mosquito has clear wings, while the ma
lsria mosquito has wings more or less
spotted. When the harmless mosquito is
1t rest on the wall or upon any object.
itappears more or less hump backed
q ] is, the head and back point down.
V toward the surface upon which it
/ 3 while the body and wings remain
SuiS .sl with the surface, giving hump
fss4ed appearance to the body. With
aA malarial mosquito, however, the head
aS back are in practically the same
Fece with the body and when the body
at rest it appears at an angle with the
feet SO that it has the appearance of
snding on its head; this characteristic
ting position proves the most easily
Acognized feature of the naIarial mos.
Lfito.
! In the early stages the harmless mos.
eito may be distinguished from the ma
q ia bearing variety in the egg masses as
ley are seen in the water. The harmless
q gosquito eggs are always found in raft