Laboratory observations on the life-history and ethology of Mansonia mosquitos

The rearing of a complete generation of Mansonia (Coquillettidia) aurites (Theo.) is described with notes on the methods used. Variation in the leg ornamentation of the adults forming the progeny of a single egg-raft was found to cover the range usually observed in this species. A plea is made for conformity in the use of terms describing the various kinds of aggregations of eggs. Egg-rafts are discussed, and a tentative key is given to the eggs of six of the Ethiopian species of Coquillettidia, based on egg-raft shape. A modification of the ‘natural’ arrangement is suggested for the Ethiopian species of Coquillettidia, based not only on adult and larval characters, but on oviposition behaviour as judged by egg-raft shape. The possibility of natural interspecific hybridisation is mentioned. The general slowness in many of the life processes found in the genus is put forward as an adaptation to its peculiar mode of life.