During a plankton survey along the edge of the continental shelf south of New Jersey in February 1969. Illex sp. larvae were caught in the vicinity of the Florida Current between Cape Hatteras and central Florida (28°30'N 80° 00'W). The larva from the latter area represents the most southwesterly capture that has been reported to date. Illex sp. larvae were also caught during surveys in February-March of 1981 and 1982 south of Newfoundland in the northern partof the Gulf Stream, the most easterly capture being at 40°09'N 53°00'W and northerly capture at 41°00'N 56°00'W. The larvae taken off Florida were 1.1-6.2 mm mantle length (ML) and those from the region south of Newfoundland were 2.4-6.6 mm. From the observed distribution and sizes of larvae in relation to water masses associated with the Gulf Stream System and in the light of recent observations on Illex illecebrosus spawning in captivity and temperatures required for embryonic development, it is considered that spawning probably occurs pelagically a in the winter months within the Gulf Stream or in the Gulf Stream-Slope Water frontal zone south of Cape Hatteras
