The Microclimate of Diurnal Resting Places of Anopheles quadrimaculatus Say in the Vicinity of Reelfoot Lake

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Abstract
The evening egress of mosquitoes from the diurnal resting places occurs most rapidly in the 20 min. after sunset. The only microclimatic condition which could be correlated with this egress was the covariant light intensity; at the time of most rapid exodus, light intensities in the open varied from a mean of about 48 ft.-candles at sunset to 2 ft.-candles 20 min. later. An expt. on the effect of artificial light on mosquitoes in the daytime resting places supported the conclusion that light intensity is the principal factor initiating the evening movement from the shelter to the open. A large proportion of the mosquitoes could be made to remain through the evening in a lighted diurnal shelter. During the hrs. just after sunrise A. quadrimaculatus [female][female] tend to enter the diurnal resting place, but this inward movement is gradual, not concerted, and seems to depend upon when direct sunlight strikes the mosquitoes in the open. During the daylight hours temps. and humidities within the diurnal resting places of A. quadrimaculatus were found to be lower and higher, respectively, than outside conditions measured simultaneously. During the most severe part of the day temps. were on the average 7[degree] F lower and humidities 8% higher than the outside measurements. Evaporation within the resting place was only about 2/3 the outside rate. Evaporation rates inside the diurnal resting places would only be a small % of the rate which would hold if a mosquito were exposed to the direct light of the sun and the direct action of the wind.

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