First instars of 93 North American species of mosquitoes are studied and 56 are illustrated, 41 for the first time. Generic differences are well marked in this instar and nearly all species are separable.
Two keys to the 11 North American genera are presented; the first is constructed to show similarities between first and later instars. Each genus is described and keyed to species, and notes are given on each species. A supplementary key to the species of the southeastern states is designed for the use of a binocular microscope with magnification up to 60 ×.
Specific and generic differences are as well marked in the first as in the fourth instar. Identifications are as easy or as difficult in the first as in the fourth instar, though usually based on different characters.
An expanded key to the North American species of Aedes, incorporating those previously treated by Bohart and by Price, is attempted. The key reveals several species complexes which have not been discerned from other stages of the life cycle, namely, Aedes canadensis, nigromaculis, punctor, stimulans infirmatus and trivittatus.
A key to the first instars of the 37 species of the world-wide Anophelinae is presented, on the basis of published descriptions and figures of the exotic species.