Age determination of some flies and mosquitos by daily growth layers of skeletal apodemes.

A new method of determining age in certain Diptera, including Culex and Aedes mosquitos, involves counting-sometimes with the aid of staining techniques-the layers of cuticle growth that form daily at different points (inner apodemes) of the skeleton. If developed, the method would be of great importance for eradication and control programmes. The authors recommend further studies, in particular on the application of the technique to Anopheles and certain flies such as Calliphora.