The Influence of the Hydrogen-Ion Concentration in the Development of Mosquito Larvae. Preliminary Contribution

Abstract

It is a common experience that mosquito larvae when they are brought into a laboratory to undergo their development, often fail to develop normally. At times a high mortality takes place, or the larvae lapse into a condition of suspended development continuing as larvae for months. The latter phase usually ends in death before pupation can take place. I have been puzzled to account for these manifestations for a very long time, and have conducted various experiments in the hope of discovering the cause. The general opinion on the matter, I think, is that there is “something wrong with the food supply,” but as a matter of fact larvae supplied with an ample diet often show the same state of affairs.