Gunnison news-champion., 1917-07-20
PROF. GOLDSMITH GIVES INTER-
.ESTING ARTICLE ON MOSQUITOES

\ few days ago one Of the local
papers presented a brief article on
the mosquito pest OF our city. In con
clu~on the editor suggested that some
one ask III" Normal School "Bugolo-
gist" II there is a suction to the mo-
-quGo problem In the moau,im" |
have gwen tn" subject special study
as ! have in other places in former
years. The problem and solution has
been suggested 70 number Of citizens
missed as Z joke Of the most absurd
type. In view OF this sentiment it
seems impossible to obtain co-opera-
tion in an "eXpcrimcntal" mosquito
war until more is known about the life
of this little enemy and the method
of warfare in other localities. After
these facts have been presented, sug-
gcstions will be given as to the pos
sibility of eradication or at least re-
duction Of the mosquito pest in Gun
nison.
In l75S, Linneaus made an extensive
study Of the mosquito family and re-
ports only six different kinds. In
1901, DR.. Theobold of the British Mus
cum reported that 3i3 species had
been found and now there is, no doubt,
over 500 kinds on scientific record.
This shows that the mosquito is either
very prosperous or is being studied
more than any other insect. The
scientist and especially the medical
men labored many years before they
could conclusively establish the fact
that Mr.. Mosquito was guilty of scat
tering the malaria and yellow fever
over our beautiful southland, and it
took many more years before we
could find solution to the serious
problem. During the past ten years
enough has been written on the mo-
squito subject to fill handsome little !
library, still many of US remain ig-
norant of the life history and habits
of this "pesky" little animal. Little
do We realize that his seemingly in
nocent bite may be "mightier than
the sword"
Life History
All insects have either incomplete
or complete metamorphosis. BY that
we mean that they either hatch out
as very small insects and then feed
and grow large like the grasshopperI
or pass thru four distinct life stages
egg, larvae, pupae, and adult. In this
case the insect is born almost full
grown and is at once ready for active
service. Since the mosquito comes
under this head, we can readily under
stand why their appearance is so sud-
den, as it is not necessary for them
to grow to maturity.
EGGS.-The eggs of the mosquito
are laid upon water or where water is
likely to accumulate. Some lay their
eggs one by one and stick them to-
gether in masses and leave them to
float away on the water like SO many
little boats. Other forms lay their
eggs single in which case they are not
so readily observed. This summer l
nave examined some of the hundreds
of unnecessary stagnent pools on our
streets and have found them covered
with thousands of mosquito eggs. 1t
is possible for some of these eggs to
be buried in the mud and not hatch
until the following spring, then the
race passes the winter as rule, how
ever, the eggs hatch in from SO to 4s
hours after they are laid, depending
upon the temperature of the water.
Since the water is SO cold in this To-
cality it, no doubt. requires 4S or more
hours for them to hatch.
LARvAE.-After the eggs have
been in the water sufficient length
of time, the lower end bursts out and
wiggling wigglers or "wiggle tails"
are set free into the water. The
"wiggle-tail" is so familiar to every