OCR Text |
Show 190 Culex tarsalis Coq. is the most abundant and widely distributed Culex species at the Lake and throughout Utah. They feed from dusk to dawn on man, birds and other animals including reptiles. They attack stealthily and their bite is very irritating to most of their victims. In addition, they are capable of transmitting encephalitis viruses to man and other animals. Their control is of major importance in the program of developing the Lake and its resources. Like all species of the genus Culex in Utah, tarsalis survive the winter as fertilized females in semi- hibernation in places such as rodent burrows, brush and rockpiles, caves and other available shelters. An over- wintering female emerges in April or May, depending on favorable climatic factors, and lays several rafts of eggs, each containing approximately 250 eggs. There are several generations during the year, extending from April to late October or early November with peak population from late July to early September. Culex erythothorax larvae and pupae seem to be more abundant in the late summer and early fall in ponds heavily vegetated with sago pond- weed and similar submergent plants. At dusk near these breeding sights, this species is extremely irritating to man and other animals. Culiseta inorta ( Will is ton) is the only species of this genus reported in significant numbers near the Lake. It is widely distributed and abundant but rarely feeds on man. Therefore, the control of this species is not as important as others. Mosquito Control The natural enemies of mosquitoes that are known to feed upon or |