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ILLUSTRATIONS OF

BRITISH

BLOOD-SUCKING

FLIES.

WITH NOTES BY
ERNEST EDWARD AUSTEN

ASSISTANT, DEPARTMENT OV ZOOLOGY, BRITISH MUSEUM (n.H.;

LONDON

PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE
BRITISH MUSEUM

SOLD BY

Longmans & Co., 39, Paternoster Row, E.C.

B. QuARiTCH, 15, Piccadilly ; Dulau & Co., 37, Soho Square, W.

Keoan Paul & Co., 43, Gerrard Street, W.

and AT THE

British Museum (Natural History), Cromwell Road, S.W.

1906
.-/// riL'/Us irsi:rvi:d

c.':i;uH3i.j/^y~

LONDON. WITHEKBY & CO., LKIIEKPKESS
AND COLOUR PRINTERS, 326, HIOM IIOLBOKN.

CARDED

DIV. OF HTSSCW

PREFACE.

'TpHE coloured drawings from which tlie phites in this book are
reproduced have been prepared for exhibition in the North Hall
of this Museum.

Before devoting them, however, to the purpose for which they
were primarily intended, it was thought that if published in a con-
venient form their sphere of usefulness would be increased, while an
opportunity would also be afforded for the inclusicDn of fuller notes on
each species than can be given in a label.

For exhibition purposes, and to facilitate the recognition and
comparison of the different species, the drawings have been made on
a greatly enlarged scale, to which it has not in all cases been possible
to adhere in the reproductions ; but wherever practicable the copies
are of the same size as the originals.

Many of the species here illustrated ha\-e an extremely wide dis-
tribution, so that the book may perhaps be of service to naturalists
outside the British Islands ; while the illustrations, either as repre-
senting species or simply as types of genera, will doubtless be useful
to those engaged in the study of Blood-Sucking Flies in connection
with disease.

E. RAY LANKESTER.

British Museum (Natural History;,

Cromwell Road, London, S.W.

March 24///, 1906.

LIST OF PLATES.*

CHIRONOMID^.

Mwc.es.

Plate I. Fig. i. Ceratopogon varius, Winn.
Plate I. Fig. 2. Ceratopogon pulicaris, Linn.

CULICID.'E.

Gnat.s or Mosquitoes.

Plate 2. Anopheles nigripes, Staeg.

Plate 3. Anopheles bifurcatus, Linn.

Plate 4. Anopheles maculipennis, Mg. (The Spotted

Gnat.)

Plate 5. Theobaldia annulata, Schrk.

Plate 6. Ciilex cantans, Mg.

Plate 7. Culex nemorosiis, Mg.

Plate 8. Culex pipiens, Linn. (The Common Gnat.)

Plate 9. Grabhamia dorsalis, Mg.

SIMULIDtE.
Plate 10. Simulium reptans, Linn.

TABANID.^.

HOR-SE-FLTES.

Plate II. Fig. i. Hrcmatopota pluvialis, Linn. Male.
Plate II. Fig. 2. Ha;matopota pluvialis, Linn. Female.

* Except where otherwise staled, the female alone is Illustrated. The crossed lines on
the plates indicate the natural size of the insects.

Plate

12

Plate

13

Plate

14

Plate

IS

Plate

16

Plate

17

Plate

18

Plate

19

Plate

20

Plate

21

Plate

■■yy

Plate

23

Plate

24

Plate

25

Plate

26

F'k'-

Plate

26

Fig.

Plate

27

Plate

28

Hrematopota crassicornis, Whlbg,
Tlierioplcctes micans, Mg.
Therioplectes montanus, Mg.
Therioplectes luridus, Fin.
Therioplectes tropicus, Pz.

Jaenn.
Therioplectes solstitialis, Schin
Atylotus fiih-us, Mg.
Tabanus bo\inus, Lw.
Tabanus sudeticiis, Zlr.
Tabanus autumnalis, Linn,
Tabanus autumnalis, Linn
Tabanus bromius, Linn.
Tabanus maculicornis, Ztt.
Tabanus cordiger, W'ied.
Chrysops cascutiens, Linn.
Chrysops crecutiens, Linn.
Chrysops quadrata, Mg.
Chrysops relicta, Mg.

form bisignatns.

Male.
Female.

Male.
Female.

Plate 29.

Plate 30. Fig. i.

Plate 30. Fig. 2.

MUSCID^.

StomoxNs calcitrans, Linn.
Ha;matobia stimulans, Mg.
L}-]iernsia irritans, Linn.

Plate 31

Plate 32

Plate 33

Plate 34,

Plate 34

Fig. I.
Fig. 2.

HIPPOBOSClDzE.

Hippobosca equina, Linn. (The Forest Fly.")

Ornithom)-ia axicularia, Linn.

Lipoptena cervi, Linn. Male.

Lipoptena cer\i, Linn. I'cmale.

Melophagus (n'inus, Linn. (The .Sheep " Tick.")

INTRODUCTION.

THE British entomologist desirous of obtaining' coloured illustra-
tions of his country's insect fauna finds that, as regards the
more popular Orders, such as the butterflies and moths, or the
beetles, ample provision has been made for his wants. Should his
predilections, however, incline towards Flies (Diptera), the case is
altogether different. For, with the exception of the excellent
coloured figures of certain British Diptera contained in Vol. VIII. of
Curtis's ' British Entomolog}'' (man\- of which were published more
than eighty years ago), and three plates of equally excellent coloured
figures included in Miss Staveley's ' British Insects ' (London :
L. Ree\-e and Co., 1871), no illustrations of British Flies in colour
are obtainable. It is hoped that the plates in the present work,
which faithfully depict the natural colours, and man}' of the external
structural characters of some of the most interesting and important
of Britisli Diptera, may do something towards meeting the deficienc}-.

Although under the social conditions of modern life Blood-
Sucking Flies are less troublesome to human beings in the British
Islands than in some other less highly civilised countries, many of
the species illustrated in this book still often contrive to make their
presence inconvenienth- felt, while others in country districts are
regular tormentors of cattle and horses during the summer months.
Within the last few years Blood-Sucking Flies ha\e acquired a new-
importance, in view of modern discoveries as to the causation and
dissemination of certain diseases of man and animals, and although
no Blood-Sucking Fl)- is permanently associated with any disease in
the British Islands at the present da\', the British mosquitoes of the
genus Anopheles remind us of the time, still comparati\-ely recent,
when ague was rife in England, while Stovioxys calcitrans recalls the
Tsetse-flies of Tropical Africa, and the part played by them in
sleeping sickness and nagana.

8

In the followinc^ passes no attempt has been made to suppl)" a
detailed technical description of each species illustrated in the plates.
In the case of the majority of the species, at an\' rate, it is beliexed
that the plates will render such descriptions unnecessary, and, apart
from this, the man\- demands upon the author's official time would
have made their preparation impossible. The same reason, coupled
with limitations of space, has also unfc^tunatel}- necessitated the
omission of a considerable amount of matter relating to the life-
history of the species mentioned, but brief notes on life-history are
included in the remarks upon each famih'. Since it was thought
that British readers might be interested to learn in what other
countries our native Blood-Sucking Flies are found, the geographical
distribution of each species so far as it is known has in all cases been
stated. References to original descriptions of genera and species,
and discussions of synonj-ni}-, though nccessaril}- included in a
monograph, have here been omitted as out of place in a work which
does not profess to be more than a popular account of the insects
of which it treats. Since the [jrimarj- object of this book is to
facilitate by means of the plates the identification of Blood-Siicking
Flies, the males that (probably with the exception of those of species
belonging to the Muscida; and Hippoboscidre) do not suck blood
have not, as a rule, been illustrated.

The original water-colour drawings of the species represented
have been prepared b}- Mr. A. J. Engel Terzi with his usual care and
exceptional skill, and a word of acknowledgment is also due to
Mr. Harry F. VVithcrby (of Messrs. W'itherby and Co.), who has
personally supervised their reproduction, and has been unremitting
in his endeavours to produce thorough!)- satisfactory copies of the
artist's beautiful work. A special feature deser\ing of note in
connection with the illustrations is the use oi periiuiiicut paper for
the plates, instead of the perishable coated paper generally emplo\-ed
for three-colour work. The change has greatly increased the
difficulties of reproduction, but it is hoped that it will be appreciated
by purchasers of the book.

Field notes on many of the species illustrated and mentioned in
the text have been kindly contributed by Lieut.-Colonel J. W.

Yerburj', an enthusiastic collector and student of Diptera, to whose
generosity the Museum is largely indebted for its modern collection
of British Flies.

ERNEST E. AUSTEN.

British Museum (Natural History),
London, S.W.

March 2\st. 1906.

BRITISH

BLOOD-SUCKING FLIES.

IN the shape of the common house-fl_\', or the bhie-bottle, Flies
are familiar to ever_\-one, and a brief examination of either of
these household pests will re\eal two of the chief characteristics of
the Order (DipteRA) to which they belong, — the possession of but
a single pair of tvings, and, immediately behind these, the presence of
a pair of little knobbed organs, the lialteres or balancers, which
represent the second pair of wings possessed by other insects. These
two features, — the single pair of wings and the halteres, both of which
can clearly be seen in the majorit}- of the plates illustrating the
present work, — serve to distinguish all ordinary Diptera from all other
insects. The winged males of Coccidre (Scale-insects), which belong
to the Order Rh\-nchota, though they have only one pair of wings,
and might perhaps be mistaken for gall-midges (Diptera), are
distinguished by the possession of a pair of long caudal filaments at
the tip of the abdomen, and by being without halteres. In a small
number of aberrant Diptera, as in the sheep " tick " (Plate 34), the
wings, or both wings and halteres, are entirely wanting, but in these
cases the other details of the insect's external anatomy disclose its
systematic position. Under the term " Flies " we include then, not
only the horse-flies (Tabanidje) and many other families, the species
of which more or less resemble the house-fly in shape, but also the
midges and mosquitoes, which, though very dissimilar from the
former in appearance, nevertheless possess all the essential structural
characters of Diptera.

Excluding the Fleas (Pulicid.t), which it is better to regard as
forming a separate Order of insects, 59 families are recognised in
Verrall's 'List of British Diptera,' 2nd Edition, (Cambridge, 1901).
Of these, if we leave out of the question the highl)- specialised and

12

extremely aberrant Xycteribida;, which, doubtless, suck blood, but,
being exclusively parasitic on bats, are of no practical importance, the
blood-sucking habit is met with in only eight. Included in this total
are the Psychodidae and Leptidse ; as regards the former, the blood-
sucking genus Plilebotoinus does not occur in Great Britain, and
although blood has been noticed (by the Rev. A. E. Eaton) in the
abdomen of a British specimen of Sycorax silacea, Hal., the insect has
not j'et been observed in the act of sucking blood, so that for our
present purpose the Psychodida; may be left out of account. The
same course may be taken in the case of the Leptida;, for no species
of this family has yet been recorded as sucking blood in the British
Islands, although in France the common British Leptis scolopacea,
Linn, (as also L.strigosa, Mg. — a " reputed " British species) has been
observed in the act of doing so on two or three occasions. The
number of families of British Diptera that include blood-sucking
species is therefore reduced to six, — the Chironomida; (midges),
Culicidaj (gnats or mosquitoes), Simulid.c, Tabanidiu (horse-flies),
Muscida;, and HippoboscidcX-. In two of these, the Chironomida; and
Muscida', the blood-sucking habit is exceptional and confined to a
few species ; in the remainder, with the exception of a few small
genera of Culicidae, the species of which do not suck blood, it is
universal in the female sex, to which, with the exception of the
Muscidai (and possibly of the Hippoboscida:), the habit is restricted.
It should be noted that most, if not all, mosquitoes are also capable of
subsisting upon the juices of plants.

The number of species of blood-sucking flies that occur in the British
Islands cannot be stated precisely, since the total of the blood-sucking
species of midges(genus Ceratopogon,sc>is.lnt.)7iX\d that of our indigenous
species of Simttliuni is at present entirely uncertain. If, however, we
count each of these groups as numbering a dozen species (certainl)-
not an extravagant estimate), and include the two species of Nycteri-
bida;, the number of British species of blood-sucking flics would
amount to 74. The total number of species of Diptera recognised as
British at the present time may be taken as between 2700 and 3000.

With these introductorj' remarks we may proceed to a consideration
of the species illustrated in the plates, which represent the principal
British blood-sucking flies.

13

Family

CHIRONOMID/E

Midges.

Although these insects are by far the smallest of all blood-sucking
flies, the pertinacity and blood-thirstiness of some species of midges is
such that, in the British Islands at any rate, they cause much more
discomfort and annoyance to human beings than the species of any
other family mentioned in this book ; and, during the spring and
summer months, in the evening hours when they are most active, their
presence often constitutes a serious drawback to life in the country.
Occasionally midges occur locally in such numbers as to amount to a
veritable plague. With reference to a species, at present un-
determined, which abounds in Scotland, Colonel Yerbury writes :
" This insect is a great pest in the Highlands ; it collects in large
numbers on one's knickerbocker stockings, and the bites cause the
skin to look as if covered with a severe rash." It should be pointed out
that the majority of the species of midges are perfectly harmless. The
British blood-sucking forms belong to the genus Ceratopogon {sens, lat.),
which is distributed throughout the world, and of which we have some
fifty indigenous species. Only a few of these, however, are known to
suck blood, and the habit is confined to the female sex. As in the
gnats or mosquitoes (Culicida^), the wings when at rest are carried flat,
closed one over the other like the blades of a pair of scissors ; in
many species (as in the two selected for illustration) they are minutely
hairy, and they are often speckled with greyish brown blotches. The
sexes can be distinguished owing to the possession by the males of
tufted antennae and a more elongated shape. As a general rule the
larvae of naked-winged species of Ceratopogon are aquatic, those of
hairy-winged species terrestrial. The eggs of aquatic species are laid
in floating alga;, in star-shaped clusters containing from one hundred
to one hundred and fifty. The larva; of these species are whitish
worm-like creatures, with long narrow heads ; they live in the masses
of Confervse floating on the surface of stagnant pools and ditches, and
progress with a serpentine motion. The larvae of the hair\'-winged

14

s|jccies live under the damp bark of dead trees, in weeping spots on
tree triini<s, and in decayint^ vegetable matter generally, such as
manure, rotting fungi, &c. These terrestrial larv;e are usuall)' shorter
than the aquatic ones, and do not move in serpentine fashion.

The precise number of species of British blood-sucking midges has
yet to be determined ; the two figured on Plate i are among the most
common.

Genus
CERATOPOGON, Meigen.*

Ceratopogon varius, Winn.

Plate I, fig. I.

This e.xceedingly minute fly, the female of which measures onl\-
i^ mm. in length, is, within the personal experience of the writer, a
vigorous blood-sucker, and, when it is engaged in operations on the
back of one's hand, its tin\- abdomen can be seen increasing in size
and turning pink as the blood is pumped into it. Blood-sucking
midges are seldom collected, and the Museum series of this species
is insufficient to throw much light on its seasonal or local occurrence
in the British Islands ; but tliere are specimens from Newmarket
Cambridgeshire, May sth ; and Frant, Sussex, June i6th, i8S6
{G. H. Vertall); and from Kingsbury, Middlesex, June 14th, i8yi
{E. E. Aiistcn).

The geographical range of this species includes Northern and
Central Europe.

* Sonic few jeais ago Lalieillc's genus CulUoidcs was revived by Kicfl'ei (Bull, do la
Soc. dTIist. Xal. de Metz, 2i>i-m= Caliier (Metz: 1901.), p. 143) for Uie group of species
which includes Ceratopogon varim, Winn., & C. puluaris, l.iiui. The aulhor in ipiestion
also introduced three other genera at the expense of the nld genus Ccratopoi^oii, which,
owing to the large ninnber of species comprised in il, w.is in urgent need of division. For
the purposes of the present wurk, however, it has licen thought unneces.sary to change the
nomenclature adopted in Verrall's ' List,' 2nd 1>1. (1901).

IS

Geratopogon pulicaris, Linn.

Plate I, fig. 2.

In certain localities in England in the latter part of April and
beginning of May, 1904, this midge was especiall)' abundant, and
much inconvenience was caused by its bites. A correspondent
writing from Romford, Essex, on April 28th, with reference to the
multitudes of Ceratopogoii pulicaris w ith which the town was then
afflicted, said : — " They swarm in countless m_\-riads, and their bite is
very virulent, to me worse than a bee-sting, or the bite of any gnat.
I have never seen them before in anything like the quantities, neither
have I known the effects to be so severe and lasting. No doubt the
hot sun and damp soil have brought them out, as in the tundras."
Writing again on May ist, the same correspondent said : — " The
insects were in such large numbers that b\- just turning a killing-
bottle through the air I soon got a pill box full. Many of my

Ci-iidopogon /u/iuzris, Linn. ( 9 ), in resting position ( ;•; 1 2).
neighbours had lumps on their necks, and their faces like measles,
while some of the workmen ' struck.' " In many other localities near
London, such as Epping Forest, Harrow, and the suburb of Stoke
Newington, this pest was also very prevalent at the same time, and in

\6

consequence of their attacks, people found it impossible to remain in
gardens after 5 p.m.

Ceratopogon piilicaris measures 2 mm. in length, and is therefore
considerably larger than C. varius; it abounds throughout Europe,
and can easily be recognised b}' the marking of the wings, which
when closed appear to have transverse bands.

Note.

Tlie Harvest Bug {Lepltis atiltimnalis, Shaw), x lOO. (.Vftcr Mcyiiin.)

The irritating swellings caused by Harvest Bugs are occasionally mistaken for the biles
of midges or gnats. The Harvest "Bug" (I.efliis aulumnalis, Shaw) is really a Mile, a
minute .\carus, — the six-legged larva of a s]iecies of Tromhidiiim ; it is (xissiblo that larv;v
belonging to more than one species are included under the same name. The annoyance is
caused by these >oung forms hunoiviin; into the sUin, generally about the ankles and knees.
Midges and gnats more usually attack the exposed parts of the bod), although the females of
both fimilies readily bite through ihin clothing.

17

Family

CULICID^.

Gnats or Mosquitoes.

In view of the large amount of popular misconception that
appears still to exist with reference to the meaning of the terms
" gnat " and " mosquito," it ma}' be worth while once again to
emphasise the fact that, proper!)- used, the\- apply to any species of
the family Culicidre, so that, if we prefer to employ a word of foreign
origin rather than the Old English gnat, our British species of
Anopheles, Culex, etc., are as much entitled to be called niosqnitoes as
are tropical species belonging to the same genera, from many of
which they would be indistinguishable to the untrained observer.

Including certain non-blood-sucking forms belonging to the genera
Corethra, Mochlonyx, and A'luies, the species of mosquitoes now
recognised as British are twenty-two in number. Many harmless
midges belonging to the genera Chirononius and Tanypus resemble
gnats more or less closely in outward appearance, but, apart from
other structural characters, may be distinguished hy the absence
of the long, piercing proboscis, as also by the habit of holding
up the front legs when at rest, whereas a gnat in the same position
elevates its hind legs. In British, as in all mosquitoes with possibly
one or two exceptions, the blood-sucking habit is confined to the
female se.x. The males may be distinguished by their plumed
antennae, and in the genera Theobaldia, Culex, and Grabhaniia by
their elongate palpi. In Anopheles the palpi are as long as the
proboscis in both sexes, but in the male their tips are thickened, bent
outwards, and somewhat plumose.

The preliminary stages of all mosquitoes are passed in water.
The wriggling larvae and comma-shaped pupae of the common gnat
{Culex pipiens, Linn. — Plate 8), v,'hich are familiar objects in cisterns
and rain-water butts in summer, may be taken as types of those of
the species belonging to the genera Theobaldia, Culex, and Grabhamia.
In the case of the latter genus the eggs are usually laid singly. The
eggs of the species belonging to the two former genera somewhat

B

i8

resemble tiny " Indian clubs " in shape, and are deposited on the sur-
face of the water, arranged vertically in compact masses, or "rafts,"
each containing from 200 to 300 eggs. The eggs of the species of
A/iop/teles, on the other hand, are boat-shaped, and are not attached to
one another, but float freely on the surface of the water in clusters of
from two or three to as many as 100. The larvar of the Culicinre are
distinguished by the possession of a posterior dorsal breathing tube,
or respiratory siphon, which is absent in the Anophelinac. W'hen
taking in air, the former suspend themselves at an angle from the
surface film by the extremity of the respiratory siphon, but the
larvae of the latter lie perfectly horizontal. The food of mosquito
larvne consists of algae and minute organisms, both animal and
vegetable ; in captivit}' they sometimes display cannibal propensities.
In addition to the species illustrated in the plates, the following
blood-sucking mosquitoes are also found in the British Islands : —
Culex morsitans, Theob., lateralis, Mg., ornatus, Mg., divcrsus,
Theob., nigripcs, VAI. var. sylvcr, Theob., Jiigritulus, Ztt., Intescens,
Fabr. ; Grabhamia pulchripalpis, Rond. ; and Taiiiorhyfichus
richardii, Fie.

Genus
ANOPHELES, Meigen.

Anopheles nigripes, Stseg.
Plate 2.

Specimens of this species in the Museum collection are from
various localities between and including CoIw\-n Bay, Carnarvonshire,
N. Wales, and Penzance, Cornwall : the species is on the wing from
June to September. According to Theobald (' Monograph of the
Culicidai,' Vol. I., p. 202) it also occurs in Scotland, and what appears
to be A. nigripes was recorded (without a specific name) from the North
of Ireland by A. H. Haliday in 1828 (' Zool. Journal,' III., 1828, p. 501).
Theobald {loc. cit.) writes of this species : — " It bites very viciously,

19

and the bite is somewhat annoying. It usually occurs on the wing at

dusk I have taken this mosquito in the daytime by beating dense

bushes where it seems to pass the day in North Wales." The same
writer states that A. nigripes "does not appear to come intloors," but
the Museum possesses a female which bit and sucked blood, and was
taken by Mr. F. W. Terry at Merton, Surrey, on June 6th, 1899, in a
bedroom at night. According to Nuttall, Cobbett, and Strangeways-
Pigg ('The Journal of Hygiene,' Vol. I., 1901, p. 12), in the British
Islands Anopheles nigripes is much more rare than either of the
other two species of the genus, although there is no difference in
the distribution of any of them. Out of 156 British specimens of
Anopheles from various localities, no fewer than 123 were Spotted
Gnats [A. maculipennis, — Plate 4), 27 belonged to A. bifurcatus
(Plate 3), and only six to the present species.

The geographical range of A. nigripes is said to include Northern
Europe and North America.

Anopheles bifurcatus, Linn.
Plate 3.

This species, which occurs throughout Europe.from Lapland to Italy
and the Mediterranean, is probably generally distributed in the British
Islands, since it was recorded by Haliday from the north of Ireland,
and the localities of the specimens in the Museum include Torphins,
Aberdeenshire, N.B., and Penzance, Cornwall. According to Theobald
[op. cit., p. 198) this mosquito makes its appearance in England in
April and May ; a male and female were taken at Penzance by
Mr. F. VV. Terry on July 17th, 1901. Theobald writes that the
female of .^. bifurcatus attacks human beings, and is a ver\- persistent
blood-sucker ; " it is much fiercer than the more common A. maculi-
pennis" or Spotted Gnat (Plate 4). The same author adds that he
has found the species chiefly in the neighbourhood of woods, and that
malarial parasites are known to develop in it in Italy.

20

Anopheles maculipennis, Mg.

The Spotted Gnat.

Plate 4.

Like the foregoing species, this is one of the mosquitoes chiefly
concerned in the dissemination of malaria in Itah' at the present da_\-.
It is widely distributed in Great Britain, and is verj- common in many
places. In Ireland it was recorded by Haliday in 1827 (' Zool.
Journal,' Vol. III. (1828), p. 501) as occurring "in profusion, in the
neighbourhood of Belfast, throughout the summer and autumn." In
England, according to Theobald {pp. cit. p. 193), the time of appear-
ance of this species is "from March to May, and again from June to
December." The same writer adds that : — " The majority appear in
July and August. Females only occur early in the year." He also
states that specimens " may be found in the daytime settled inside
outhouses and privies." British females of A. maculipennis would
appear sometimes to be less blood-thirst}- tiian those of either of the
foregoing species, and Theobald's experience has been that botii
sexes subsist entirely on vegetable food. If this is the case it would
suggest that a change must have taken place in the feeding-habits of
British females of this species, since the time when ague (malaria)
was prevalent in this country. Nevertheless there can be no doubt
that on occasion females of A. maculipennis in the British Islands
suck blood at the present time. Thus, in their paper on ' The Geo-
graphical Distribution of Anopheles in Relation to the Former Dis-
tribution of Ague in England,' published in January, I90i,it is stated
by Nuttall, Cobbett, and Strangeways-Pigg (Joe. cit., p. 10) on the basis
of investigations made in the previous year : — " That the English
Anopheles maculipenuis is just as fond of blood as its continental con-
freres has been amply proved by experiment during July and
August." Again, a correspondent who wrote from Langport, Somerset,
on August 1 6th, 1905, and forwarded for identification specimens of
this species and Tlieobaldia annulata, Schrk. (Plate 5), complained
that : — " Since residing in Langport, which is on the level of Sedge-

21

moor, we have been troubled every summer with the enchDsed gnats,
which, coming into the bedrooms, assail the sleepers to such an extent
that we have to adopt mosquito curtains."

Anopheles maculipenuis, which occurs throughout Europe and has
been met with in Palestine, is also widely distributed in Canada and
the United States.

Before bringing to a close these brief notes on the British represen-
tatives of the malaria-bearing genus Anoplieles, it may be interesting
to reproduce the following " Conclusions " from the paper by Messrs.
Nuttall, Cobbett, and Strangeways-Pigg already referred to {loc.
at. pp. 43-44).

" I. The disappearance of ague from Great Britain does not
depend upon the extinction of mosquitoes capable of
harbouring the parasites of malaria.

" 2. Three species of Anopheles {A. iiiacnlifenins,A. bifiircatus,
A. nigripes) are to be found in Great Britain in all districts
which were formerly malarious, but also in places con-
cerning which there is no record of the former prevalence
of ague.

The Anopheles to-day are most numerous in low-l\-ing land
containing many ditches, ponds, and slowly-flowing water,
suitable for their habitat, and corresponding to the dis-
tricts where ague was formerly prevalent.

" 4. Since the disappearance of ague does not depend upon
the extinction of Anopheles it is probably due to several
causes operating together :

" {a) A reduction in the number of these insects conse-
quent upon drainage of the land, this being in accord
with all the older authors, who attributed the disappearance
of ague largely to this cause.

" {b) Reduction of the population in infected districts
as the result of emigration about the time when ague dis-

22

appeared from England. This would naturally reduce the
number of infected individuals and thus lessen the chance
of the Anopheles becoming infected.

" (<r) It is possible that the use of quinine has reduced
the chances of infecting the Anoplieles through checking
the development of the parasites in the blood of subjects
affected with ague.

" Of these, the first-mentioned cause seems to have been chiefly
operative.

" 6. Since the geographical distribution of Anopheles in England
is wider than the former distribution of ague in this
countr\-, we are forced to conclude that it is not a matter
(if the geographical distribution of Anoplieles as much as
of their numerical distribution.

" 7. Our observations having pro\ed the existence oi Anopheles
in non-malarious districts, we believe that they will explain
the occasional occurrence of ague in out-of-the-way
places, without making it necessary to assume that
malaria-bearing mosquitoes have been freshly-imported,
for, given suitable conditions of temperature and the
requisite number of Anopheles, i\ malarious subject coming
from other parts might well infect the local insects, which
in turn would spread the infection to healthy persons.

Genus
THEOBALDIA, Neveu-Lemaire.
Theobaldia annulata, Schik.

{Culex annulatits, Venall, ' List of British Diptera.' 2nd Ed.

(1901), p. 12.)

Plate 5.

This species is one of the largest of mosquitoes, is common in Great
Britain, and may be met with either out of doors or in outbuildings and
houses at all seasons of the year. The localities of the British speci-
mens in the Museum range from Torphins, Aberdeenshire, N.B., to
Penzance, Cornwall, and the dates of their capture include February
25 and December 25. The species is occasionally taken in the
British Museum (Natural History), where it doubtless breeds in the
water cisterns. Theobald writes {pp. cit., Vol. III. 1903), PP- H^-
149 : — " There is no doubt that this large mosquito hibernates in sheds,
cellars, etc., during the winter. They are mainly noticed indoors in
Kent in October, and now and then in the first week of November,
but during the past year they were active both indoors and out right
through the winter."

Theobaldia annulata bites very severely, and the puncture inflicted
by it is often followed by local swelling and inflammation, as well as
sometimes by constitutional disturbance. The varying effects of the
bite in different individuals have been described by Dr. W. Hatchett
Jackson (quoted by Theobald, loc. «V.,pp. 149-150), who, writing of an
invasion of the town of Weston-super-Mare, Somersetshire, by this
gnat in the autumn of 1902, says that " few persons in Weston and its
neighbourhood " have escaped its attacks. As is the case, however,
with all other mosquitoes, T. annulata is also able to subsist upon
a vegetable diet, for the same writer observes : — " I saw no males after
the second week in November, 1902, and at that time I noticed on a
sunny day, in a warm nook of our garden, numbers of this gnat — all

24

females — flying about and settling on the stems of plants and inserting
their proboscide.s, apparentl)- engaged in sucking. The two plants
attacked were the periwinkle ( K major) and \"oung wallflowers."
Dr. Hatchett Jackson adds : — " Most people at \\'eston are well
acquainted with tiiis species owing to its speckled wings, and it is
usually to be met with in autumn in the woods on Worlebury Hill
behind Weston on the north. Indeed it is sometimes spoken of as
the ' Wood Gnat.' " In November, 1904, reports and specimens
received from Leamington, Warwickshire, and Sleaford, Lincolnshire,
showed that this species was again troublesome in different parts of the
country.

The geographical range of T. aiiniilata is \ery wide, for, besides
being distributed throughout Europe, the insect also occurs in the
Punjab, India, while in America it is found from Canada to Mexico.

Genus
CULEX, Linna-us.

Culex cantans, M

Plate 6.

In the British Islands this gnat is ap[jarently less common than
some other species, and the only British specimens at [jrescnt
contained in the IMuseum collection arc from Merton Hall, Thetford,
Norfolk, June lOth, 1900 {^Lord Wa/singkain) ; Cambridge {F. V.
Theobald) ; Ledbury, Herefordshire, June 2nd, 1895 {Licut.-Coloncl
Yerbiirj) ; Ashford, Kent, August 12th, 1902 {W. R. Jeffreys) \ and
Brockenhurst, New Forest, Hants, Ma_\- 5th to 19th, 1904, and 6th to
I2th, 1905 [C. 0. Waterhoiise). Theobald writes {op. cil.. Vol. 111.
(1903). P' •79): — " C. cantans is a sylvan species, wliich Mr. W. R.
Jeffreys, of Ashford, assures me is vicious in the woods in the Weald
of Kent. It bites at dusk, especially choosing the ankles."

This species occurs throughout Europe, and is also found in
India and Canada.

25

Culex nemorosus, Mg.

Plate 7.

This is another sylvan species, wliich, according to Theobald
{op. cit., Vol. II. (1901), p. 83}, is common in England bnt has never
been known to enter houses or outbuildings. The author .referred to
states that he has received specimens from " a great variety of places
such as deep woods, the borders of lakes, along ditches, cuttings, etc."
The British specimens in the Museum collection are from various
localities between and including Torphins, Aberdeenshire, N.B., and
the New Forest, Hants ; the species was met with by the writer in the
woods near Brinklow, Warwickshire, on June 30th, 1902. The time
of flight is from May to August. Theobald writes {loc. cit., p. 84) : —
" This wood gnat varies very considerably both in size and colour. I
have seen the females only 6 mm. long, whilst others are 9 mm."

The geographical range of C. ncjiiorosus includes the whole of
Europe, from Lapland to Italy, and also extends to Canada.

Culex pipiens, Linn.
The Common Gnat.

Plate 8.

The Common Gnat is generally distributed in the British Islands,
and may be met with in houses practically throughout the j^ear.
Theobald writes (op. cit.. Vol. II. (1901), p. 135): — "The females
hibernate in cellars and outhouses, and appear mostly in March and
April, but do not, as far as my observations go, deposit their eggs for
some little time. No males are to be found in the early part of the
year, the females having been fertilised by the males in the previous
autumn. I have known this gnat active in numbers well into
November in England, and they occur during the winter in houses."

26

Durint;' winter and early spring, Common Gnats are often to be found
in swarms on the roofs of cellars, where their presence at that season of
the year sometimes occasions a good deal of surprise. This species
is often a troublesome blood-sucker, and, as most people know to their
cost, even a solitar)- Gnat is capable of causing considerable
annoyance in a bedroom at night. As regards his experience of the
Common Gnat in Scotland, Colonel Yerbury says : — " This is another
early pest, which was in numbers at Nairn and Brodie in the middle
of Ma)-, 1905 ; eight or ten specimens could be seen at one time
sitting on one's knickerbocker stockings."

Culex pipiens occurs throughout Continental Europe, and also in
Malta, Algeria, Madeira, Teneriffe, and North America.

Genu.s
GRABHAMIA, Theobald.

Grabhamia dorsalis, Mg.

{Culex dorsalis, Verrall, ' List of British Diptera,' 2nd Ed.
(1901), p. 12.)

Plate 9.

This species, which is quite the most handsome of our British
mosquitoes, may easily be recognised by its bright tawny thora.x
marked with two longitudinal stripes of cream-coloured scales which
meet behind, and by the striking pattern of the abdominal markings,
which are clearly shown in the plate. G. dorsalis makes its appear-
ance in August and September, when it is often locally abundant in
some of the suburbs of London. At present it is impossible to say
anything as to the distribution of this species in the British islands,
since all the British localities whence it has hitherto been recorded
are in England, for the most part in the southern counties.
Theobald, however {op. cit.. Vol. II. (1901), p. 18), mentions its
occurrence in Wyre Forest, Worcestershire (where it was taken by

27

Mr. G. C. Bradley), and states that he himself, has " found it in
numbers in a garden at Rochester, where it caused much annoyance " ;
he also {op. cit., Vol. III. (1903), p. 251) says that it occurs on "the
banks of the Thames on the Essex side." In September, 1899,
this mosquito was very abundant and troublesome at Camberwell,
London, S.E., where its bites were stated to cause inflammation,
swelling, and abscesses ; and at the same period the species was also
attracting attention in other London suburbs, such as Lewisham and
Stamford Hill (N.).

With reference to its abundance at Aldeburgh, Suffolk, in August,
189s, Mr. Albert Piffard writes (' Entomologist's Monthly Magazine,'
Series 2, Vol. VI. (1895), p. 227): — "One of the peculiarities
of this pretty seaside town, which never fails to engage the attention
of summer visitors, is the presence in vast numbers of a small
species of gnat, which is always busy indoors and out of doors,
in shade and even in bright sunshine, in inflicting a bite which
has such a virulent effect on those unacclimatized, that but
few hours elapse before each new arrival has the ' mark
of the beast ' set on him. The species is known by the
inhabitants as the ' Norway Mosquito,' and I ascertained on enquiry
that it had been abundant for at any rate the last twenty-five years.
A tradition generally accepted here assigns its introduction to a
particular yacht which used to ply between this port and Norway."
Theobald says (op. cit., Vol. II. (1901), p. 18) with reference to this
species : — " The bite is very severe and the insect most ravenous in
warm weather, biting both by night and day."

Outside the British Islands G. dorsalis is known to occur in
Scandinavia, Denmark, Holland, Germany, and Austria.

28

Family
SIMULID^.

Although undistinguished in the British Islands by any English
name, the members of this family, of which it is probable that our
fauna includes at least a dozen species, are only too well-known to
all those who have had occasion to enter their haunts. The famil)-
consists of the single genus Simiiliitin, which is universally dis-
tributed, and of which some sixty-six species, difficult to distinguish
from one another, have been described up to the present time. The
females of some of these flics, which are among the most dreaded
of all blood-sucking Diptera, sometimes occur in enormous swarms,
and by their attacks upon horses, mules, and cattle, especiall}' in
certain parts of the United States, occasion great losses among these
animals, besides molesting human beings. In the district of South
Hungary called the Banat the Columbacz Midge {Simidinm colitin-
baczcnse, Sc/ioiib.) has been notorious for more than a hundred years
owing to the destruction caused by it among cattle.

In appearance Simulida; are small black or gre)-ish flies, not
exceeding 4 mm. in length, with a conspicuously humped thorax,
short straight antenna;, broad and delicate iridescent wings, stout
legs, and a short proboscis which is not visible from above. The
males, which are incapable of sucking blood, are fond of dancing in
the air in the sun ; as a rule they arc much darker in coloration than
the females, and are often velvety black, with silvery markings on
the front of the thorax.

The preliminary stages are passed in running water. The eggs
are deposited in a compact la\er or gelatinous mass on stones or
plants close to the water's edge. The larval stage lasts for about
four weeks in the summer, though longer in cold weather, and the
winter is passed in this stage. In shape the larva is somewhat like
a tiny leech, broadening out posteriorly, where it is attached by
means of a sucker to a stone, the stem of a water-plant, a dead leaf,
or other object. The larva is able to shift its position by crawling in
a looping fashion, but usually remains in a more or less erect position.

29

It feeds on algns, diatoms, and parts of phanerogamous plants, which
are brought to the mouth by means of the currents set up by two
broad fan-Hke organs situated upon the head. In colour the larva
varies according to the species, and perhaps also to some extent in
accordance with its food, from deep shining black to yellow or dark
green. When mature, the larva spins a silken cocoon within which
it pupates, and in which the pupa remains motionless, breathing by
means of a pair of branched respiratory filaments, which project
from behind the head. The pupal stage lasts for about a week, and
the perfect insect, making its escaj^e through a rent in the back of
the thorax, ascends to the surface in a bubble of air, and makes its
way to the stem of a rush or some similar support on which it rests
until its tissues are sufficienth' hardened to enable it to fl\-.

Genus
SIMULIUM, Latreille.

Simulium reptans, Linn.
Plate lo.

So far as present experience goes, this would appear to be
essentially a northern species, since all the British specimens of it
in the Museum collection come from beyond the Tweed. A very
similar species, which is common in the midland and southern
counties of England, is distinguished from 5. reptatis by the middle
tibia; of the male being wholly brown, or, at any rate, not con-
spicuously silvery-yellow at the base, and by the hind tarsi in the
female being less clear yellow on the basal two-thirds. Well-
preserved females of ^. reptans show on the anterior half of the
thorax a whitish-gre}' blotch on each side above the anterior angles,
which unfortunately does not appear in the plate ; besides this, the
thorax is clothed with a closel}--fitting coat of minute golden hairs,
the tibia;, with the exception of the tips, are in reality conspicuously

30

silvery-yellow, and the basal joint of the front tarsus is broader than
it appears in the illustration.

The localities and dates of the Museum specimens are as follows: —
Kinlochewe, Ross-shire, N.B., May 23rd, 1892 (IV. R. Ogilvie Grattt) ;
Nairn, N.B., May 20th to June 4th, 1905 {Lieut.-Coloiiel Yerbury);
Brodie, Elgin, N.B., May 30th, 1905 {Licut.-Colonel Yerbury^ ; Nethy
Bridge and Spey Bridge, Inverness-shire, N.B., June 14th to July 7th,
1905 (Lieut. -Colonel Yerbury). According to Colonel Yerbury,
6". ycptans " occurs in countless numbers in the Abernethy Forest in
June and July, and causes great annoyance. l\ sweep or two with
the butterfly net round one's head results in a perfect holocaust of
victims." Of S. hirtipcs. Fries, — a dark-legged species, — Colonel
Yerbury writes that it is " the earliest of the biting pests in Scotland.
It was found in numbers at Dunkeld so early as the 8th May."

31

Family

TABANIDiE.

(Horse-flies, or Breeze-flies, Dun-flies, Clegs and Stouts, frequently
called Gad-flies ; in Kent the species of Hceinatopota are locally known

as Britnps.*)

In the British Islands, as elsewhere, the horse-flies, owing to the
sizeof many of the species, are the most formidable in appearance of all
the blood-sucking Diptera. Indeed a large female of Tab aims sudeticics,
Zlr. (Plate 20), measuring nearly an inch in length, with a wing
expanse of over an inch and three-quarters, is exceeded in size by
but very few exotic species of this family, and frequently excites the
surprise of those who are not entomologists, when they learn that it
is really a British insect. The horse-flies, which are world-wide in
their distribution, are also among the largest of all families of Diptera,
the total number of species described at the end of the year 1904
being no less than 1,560. In the British Islands there are twenty-two
recognised species belonging to the genera Hcrinatopota, Thcrioplectes,
Atylotiis, Tabanus and Clirysops. Of Paiigonia (which, as regards
number of species, is the second of the principal genera of this family,
and is remarkable for the length of the proboscis, which, in some
species, greatly exceeds that of the body) there is no British
representative.

In appearance the Tabanidai are bulky-bodied flies, with a large
head, which is convex in front and concave or flattened behind. In
the male the head is almost wholly composed of the eyes, which meet
together above in that sex but are separated in the female. The males
have an area in the upper portion of the eyes, varying in extent
according to the species, composed of larger facets than those below.
In life the eyes usually exhibit golden green or purple markings, which
are of value for the identification of species, and are especially brilliant
in the case of the females of Chrysops and Hamatopota, which, as pointed

* ApiidF. V. Theobald, 'Second Report on Economic Zoology' (British Museum
(Natural History). London, 1904), p. i^.

12

out by Girschiier ('Berliner Entomologische Zeitschrift,' Bd. xxxi.
(1887), p. 156) " possess probabl)- the finest eyes of all insects." After
death, lio\vc\er, the colour of the e}-es rapidly changes to a dull brown
or brownish-black, until scarcely a trace of the markings remains.*

In front of the eyes project conspicuously the three-jointed
antenna;, and below the head in all the British forms depends vertically
the fleshy proboscis, or lower lip, which encloses the piercing mouth
parts. The palpi, which lie one on each side of the proboscis, are
swollen and flesh\-, and differ in shape in the two sexes. The body
is clothed with short hair and totally devoid of the large bristles
known as macroch;vt:v.'.

In the coloration as in the shape of the bod\- horse-flies throughout
the world .show remarkably little variation, and the British species are
consequently ver\- similar in appearance to many of those belonging
to the same genera found in Central Africa, India and elsewhere.
Some shade of brown or black is the most frequent hue, though the
abdomen is often lighter or exhibits lighter markings. The wings,
which, when the insect is at rest, diverge at the tips or are some-
what tectiform (sloping like the roof of a house), have in the case of
HiCinatopota and Chrysops characreristic markings, which are well
shown in the plates.

Horse-flies maybe met with throughout the summer in fields, open
spaces in woods, or by country roadsides. The edges of woods are
favourite haunts of certain species, and when resting in such a place
on a hot day one may frequently notice a Hccmatopota or two or a
specimen of one of the smaller species of Trt^^MWJ crawling with much
deliberation over one's coat and making preliminar\' investigations with
its proboscis. The females alone suck blood ; the males of certain
species may occasionally be met with on flowers or sometimes hovering
in the air. The species of Hiematopota and Chrysops, and the smaller
species of yV/^Jwwi' are remarkable for the quietness with which they
alight on their victims, the sharp prick of the bite being often the
first intimation of the presence of the fly. The larger species of
Tabauns betray their approach hy their deep luun. When once the
operation of sucking blood has commenced, horse-flies, like other

* In the plates to this work the eyes are shown as seen in dried specimens, from which

tlie drawings had perforce to lie prepared ; but so far as possible the natural colour and

markings are indicated in the notes on each sixcies.

33

blood-sucking Diptera, ma}- easil)- be captured or killed. Owing to
the size of the Tabanida;, the wound inflicted by the mouth-parts of
many of the species is especially severe. Anyone who has seen
Tabanus boviniis (Plate 19) attacking horses must have noticed the
large drops of blood that exude and trickle from the spots bitten by
the flies. Among domestic animals, however, horses and cattle are
not the onl}- victims, for in other countries mules, camels, and
elephants sufier severely. Wild animals are similarly tormented ;
thus in 'The Nile Tributaries of Ab_\-ssinia ' (London: Macmillan
& Co., 1867), p. 210, the late Sir Samuel Baker, writing of the country
between the Settite and the Atbara Rivers, mentions herds of game as
retreating from the south before the attacks of the " Seroot," under
which name several species of Tabanus and Pangonia are known to
Europeans on the Blue and White Xiles. As regards the attacks of
horse-flies upon human beings, abundant though certain species such
as those of HcBtnatopota occasionally are in the British Islands, we
have to turn to continental records in order to understand how seriiius
a pest these flies ma}- become owing to their extraordinar}- blood-
thirstiness. Thus, according to Portschinsky (' Die Bremsen (Tabanidx)
und die einfachste Methode dieselben auszurotten.' [In Russian.] Pub-
lished by the Ministry of Agriculture and State Domains : St. Peters-
burg, 1899, pp. 19. — Summary in German b}' N. Von Adelung, 'Zoolo-
gisches Centralblatt,' VII. Jahrg. (1900), pp. 807-808), in the Gdov
District of the St. Petersburg Government, in Russia, horse-flies in
summer are so excessively numerous and bloodthirsty that agricultural
operations have to be carried out by night ; while in parts of Siberia, such
as the shores of the River Om, settlers have been compelled entirely to
abandon the zone infested by these flies. Noticing that horse-flies
frequent!}- seek pools in order to drink, Portschinsky hit upon the expe-
dient of covering with a thin layer of petroleum the surface of the water
in certain lakes and pools in districts infested b}' the flies. The result
was a brilliant success, and the insects were destro}-ed in enormous
numbers, the majority on attempting to drink adhering to the la}'er
of oil, while others although they managed to fly away, w'ere
subsequently choked or poisoned b}- the petroleum. In this way
certain localities, such as the Park of Pawlowsk near St. Petersburg,
were complete!}- cleared of these troublesome Diptera. It is interesting

C

34

to note that no specimens of Htrmatopota came to drink at the pools,
so that the species of this genus cannot be destroj-ed by the method
indicated. A layer of petroleum on the surface of the water is fatal
to aquatic horse-fly larvae, just as it is to those of mosquitoes.

Tabanidse deposit their spindle-shaped brown or black eggs closely
packed in rounded or flattened masses, which are attached to the
leaves and stems of rushes or "other smooth surfaces over water or
wet ground " (Hart). The larva: are whitish soft-bodied grubs, and
are found in water, in earth, or in decaying wood. In shape they are
cj'lindrical, tapering at each end, with a small retractile head, and
with the first seven of the eight abdominal segments each encircled
near its anterior margin with a ring of fleshy protuberances, of which
there are " two transverse dorsal, one lateral on each side, and four
rounded ventral ones."* Horse-fly larv.ne are carnivorous, preying
upon beetle larvs, snails, worms, etc. The pupa which is not unlike
that of a Lepidopterous insect, remains stationary in the earth or
water.

Tabanida; are sometimes prej-ed upon by robber-flies (Asilidfe) ;
thus at Brockenhurst, in the New Forest, on July 14th, 1894, Colonel
Yerbury took a female Machiinus atricapillits. Fin., feeding upon a
male Chrysops ccEcutie/is, Linn., both of which specimens are now in
the Museum collection. In foreign countries horse-flies are also "a
favourite food of the fossorial was]3s of the family Bembecida:. These
wasps are apparently aware of the blood-sucking habits of their
favourites, and attend on travellers and pick up the flies as the)' arc
about to settle down to their phlebotomic operations. "f

In Illinois, U.S. A., a parasitic Hymenopteron {P/ianiirus tabanivoriis,
Ashmead) has been bred from egg-masses of Tabaiius atratus, Fabr.,
one of the largest and commonest of North American horse-flies, and
in Austria an allied species {Phaniirus {Telfiiomiis) tabani, Maj-r)
was bred by the late Professor Friedrich Brauer from the eggs of an
undetermined species of Tabaiius.X

* Hart, ' Bulletin of the Illinois St.ite Lalmratory nt Natural Ilistciry,' Vol. I\'. (1895),
p. 222.

tD. Sharp, ' The Cambridge Natural Ili.'ilory. — Insects: Part II.' (London : Macmillan
& Co. : 1899). P- 482.

I Hart, hi. at., p. 245, and Asbmcaci, i/'u/., p. 2;6.

35

Genus

H/EMATOPOTA, Meigen.

Haematopota pluvialis, Linn.

Plate 1 1. — Fig. i, cJ ; fig. 2, ? .

This species is one of the commonest and most generall}^ dis-
tributed of British blood-sucking flies. It occurs throughout the
British Islands, and is even to be met with in London suburbs, as
shown by a specimen taken at Fulham, on July 12th, 1891. The
dates on the specimens in the Museum collection prove that the
perfect insect is on the wing from June to August inclusive. On
the continent of Europe H. pluvialis is equally widely distributed,
and the Museum series includes examples from various localities,
from Norway to Ital)' and Spain.

With reference to this species Curtis writes (' British Entomology,'
1834) that it is " common ever)'where in woods, on palings in lanes
&c., in June, Jul)-, and August, in England, Scotland, and Ireland ;
the females, which attack both men and horses, sometimes appear in
m\'riads without one male."

The preliminary stages of H. pluvialis are passed in the soil
(humus).

Haematopota crassicornis, Whlbg.
Plate 12.

Care is needed for the distinction of this species from the foregoing,
with which it agrees in distribution. So far as coloration, however,
goes, H. crassicornis is distinctly the darker species of the two,
while in both sex'es the light stripes on the thorax are more
conspicuous.

36

The smallest specimen of this species in the Museum collection,
a female taken in the Avon Valley, S. Devon, by Lieut. -Colonel
Yerbury, on June 19th, 1896, measures 8 mm. in length; the largest
specimen, a male taken by the writer at Gravesend, Kent, on June
28th, 1894, is II mm. long, e.xceeding the largest British example of
//. pluvialis b}' 1 mm. The Museum series of H. crassiconiis is from
various localities between and including Glen Avon, S. Banff-
shire, N.B. {]['., R. Oi^ilvie Grant), and Avon Valley, S. Devon
{Lietit.-Colonel Yerbury) ; the dates of the.se specimens range from
May 24th (Avon Valle\-, S. Devon), to July 27th (Gravesend : E. E.
Austen). There are also Irish e.xamples from Glengariff, Co. Cork,
June I2th and 14th, 1901 [Lieut.-Colonel Ycrbttry) ; and Leenane, Co.
Gahva}-, July 14th, 1892 (E. E. Austen). It is impossible to say any-
thing as to the range of this species outside the British Islands, since
at present the Museum possesses no examples from abroad.

With reference to this and the foregoing species Colonel Yerbury
writes : — " Though common in Scotland, these species are not such
pests there as in the south of England. As an instance of the numbers
in which they arc sometimes met with, the following extract from one
of the writer's old diaries maybe quoted: — " Loddiswell, S. Devon,
June 30th, 1896, Hccmatopota galore: killed forty-seven fl\'ing
round me."

Haematopota italica, Mg.

This species can at once be distinguished from either H. plitvialis
or crassiconiis b\- the pale femora and the greater length of the
antenna;. The largest of three females of H. italica in the old
Stevensian collection of British Diptera, which is unfortunately
entirely w ithout locality labels, exceeds in size any British specimens
of H. pluvialis or crassiconiis in the Museum series, and measures
12 mm. in length, cxclusi\e of the antenna;, which are 2k mm. long.

In the British Islands, .so far as our present knowledge goes,
Hccmatopota italica would appear to be much more rare and local than
either of the other indigenous species of this genus. The only
modern British specimen in the Museum collection is a female, 10 mm.

37

in length, from Netlc)-, Hants, July 22nd, 1S93 {Miss Gertrude
Ricardo). The species has, however, also been taken in recent years
by Mr. L. C. Chawner in the New Forest, Hants, and b}- Mr. G. H.
Verrall in Canvey Island, Essex. It may be noted that the specimen
figured by Curtis ('British Entomology,' 1834) was also from Essex
(Mersea Isle). Continental specimens of this species in the Museum
collection are chiefly from southern localities (Italy, the Morea, Greece,
and Cyprus). In Austria, according to Schiner (' Fauna Austriaca. —
Die Fliegen (Diptera),' I. p. 39), Hceiiiatopota italica is more common
than H. plnvialis ; it is, however, not certain that Schiner's inter-
pretation of Meigen's H. italica is the same as that current in this
countr\', since, according to the Austrian Dipterist, the femora should
be black. Meigen's original description, which merely states that
H. italica is distinguished from H. plnvialis by the antenna;, says
nothinfj about the femora.

Genus
THERIOPLECTES, Zeller.

Therioplectes micans, Mg.

Plate 13.

This is a shining black species, distinguishable from the bisignatns
form of Til. tropicus (Plate 16), which it resembles in apjjearance, by
the legs being entirely black. Further means of recognition are
afforded in the male by the presence of a bunch of long erect hairs
at the end of each of the first four joints of the front tarsi ; and in the
female by the frontal triangle (the area of the head between the
anterior angles of the eyes and the antenna;) being, with the excep-
tion of a narrow border immediately above the base of each antenna,
shining black instead of dull gre}'. In the case of the male, the eyes
of the living insect are described by Brauer (Denkschr. k. Akad.
Wiss , math.-naturw. CI., 42 Bd. (1880), p. 137) as "on the lower half
with three purple bands on a bright green ground, and purple-

38

coloured lower margin ; or bluish-violet, underneath w ith three green
bands bordered w ith red " ; the e}'es of the female are green, with
from three to four purple bands. The abdomen of the female is
rather broad. "

Of this species there are no modern British specimens in the
IMuseum collection. Colonel Yerbury writes that it is " very rare,"
and that he has met with it " only at Fordingbridge, Hants, and
Barmouth, North Wales." According to Brauer (Joe. cit., p. 138),
Mr. Verrall has taken it at Lyndhurst, New Forest, Hants, in June.
The Continental series of 77/. iiiicans in the possession of the Museum
includes specimens from Riienish Prussia and Bohemia.

Therioplectes borealis, {Mg.pro parie) \jrzu(tr.

The only British specimen of this mountain species in the Museum
collection is a male from Glen Avon, S. Banffshire, N.B., June 8th,
1893 (]]'. R. Ogilvie Grant), of which the dimensions are — length,
15 mm.; width of head, 5 mm.; wing expanse, 2J\ mm. The
general coloration of the insect is brown, with a chestnut-coloured
patch on each side of the second and third abdominal segments ; the
hind margin of the first segment is also of the same colour on each
side, and there is just a trace of a similar patch on each side of the
fourth segment. The eyes of this male are densely clothed with light
yellowish-brown hair, and the facets on the upper tuo-thirds of each
eye, e.xcept the hind margin, are conspicuously larger than those
below, the change from the large to the small facets being somewhat
abrupt.

According to Brauer {loc. cit., pp. 143, 144;, in the living insect the
eyes of the male are "green, with one or two purple bands," while
those of the female are described as " green, with three broad
purple bands, sometimes very dark." Brauer states that the front
(/.('., the space between the eyes) in the female is " very broad and
short, at the most from two and a-half to three times iiigher than
broad."

Of Continental specimens of this species the Museum possesses
a male from Alten, Finmark, July, 1903 (5/> G. F. Haiiipson, Bt.) ;

a female from the same locality, presented by the Entomological
Club, in 1844 ; and a second female, taken at Marcha, near Yakutsk,
Siberia, on June 7th, 1900. According to Brauer, Th. borcalis ranges
from Lapland and Sweden to the Austrian Alps.

Therioplectes montanus, Mg.

Plate 14.

In British specimens of this species there is a considerable
difference in appearance between the two sexes, due partly to the
male abdomen being more pointed at the tip (as is also the case in
other species), and partly to the contrast of colours in the abdomen
being much sharper in the male than in the female. Of three males
of Th. montanus in the Museum collection, from Loo Bridge, Co.
Kerr_\-, Ireland, the smallest is 12, the largest 13^ mm. in length ; the
length of seventeen Scotch and Irish females varies from 12 to
14^^ mm. Continental specimens are larger, and may attain a length
of 16 and 17 mm. in the case of the male and female respectively.

The area of enlarged facets in the upper portion of the eyes of
the male is not sharply distinguished from the remainder of the
eye-surface. Brauer {/oc. cit., pp. 144- 145) describes the coloration
of the eyes of the male as " green, with three purple bands and red
lower margin bordering the face"; while, with reference to the female
he writes : " E\'es emerald-green, with three linear carmine-red
bands, the middle one of which often does not reach the hinder
margin of the eye ; upper and lower margin emerald-green."

So far as regards the British fauna, TIi. montanus would appear
to be essentially a Scotch and Irish species, since the Museum
collection includes no specimens from England or Wales. Colonel
Yerbury's note runs : " Very common in Ireland, at Loo Bridge and
other places in County Kerry ; common, too, in Scotland, where in
July it succeeds Th. luridns in the sand-hills ; it also occurs, among
other localities, on the lower slopes of the Cairngorms." The Scotch
specimens in the Museum are from Invershin, Sutherland; Nairn;
Brodie, Elgin ; Nethy Bridge, Inverness-shire ; and Rannoch, Perth-

40

shire ; all taken by Colonel Yerbury between July 3rd and 26th
inclusive. Vwm Ireland there are examples from Leenane, Co.
Galway, and Louyh Conn, Co. Mayo, July 14th and 27th (E. E.
Austen) ; and from Loo Bridge, Co. Kerry, July 6th-8th (ZiV?^/.-^!?/;;//^/
Yerbury). The Continental series is from various localities from
Norway to Rhenish Prussia. Ihe range of the species as given
b\- Brauer, in addition to Germany and Austria, includes Sweden,
Russian Lapland, South Russia, and Eastern Siberia.

Therioplectes luridus, Iln.
Plate 15.

This handsome species resembles the foregoing ( 77/. viontanus) in
size, while (as ma}- be seen from a comparison of Plates 14 and 15)
the general arrangement of the light and dark markings in the
abdomen is similar to that presented b\- females of Th. inontanns, in
which the lateral ochraceous patches are well developed. The colours
in the abdomen of Th. luridus, however, are much richer ; the black
area is deeper in tone and more shining, while the lateral patches are
chestnut instead of ochraceous. The predominance of black makes
this a distinctly darker species than the foregoing. In both sexes of
Th. luridus the hairy covering of the eyes is longer and darker than
in Th. nioutanus (dark brown instead of yellowish brown or yellowish).
Brauer [loc. cit., p. 148) describes the eyes of the male as "green,
with three pur])le bands and red margin next the face," and those of
the female as " green, \\ith three purple bands."

The length of two males of Tli. luridus in the Museum collection,
from Brodie, Elgin, N.B., June 9th and lOth, 1905 {Lieut.-Colonel
Yerbury), is I2J and 13 J mm. respectively; .sexenteen Scotch females
vary in length from iii to 14^ mm. The dimensions of Continental
specimens arc much the same, though a male from Norwaj- measures
as much as 14 mm. in length.

A long series of this species was taken by Colonel Yerbury at
Brodie, from June 5th to June loth, and at Nethy Bridge, Inverness-
shire, N.B., from June 12th to July 1st, 1905. It will be observed

41

that the female specimen ilkistratcd in Plate 15, which was taken by
Colonel Yerbury at Aviemore, Inverness-shire, on June 5th, 1904, has
a small appendix to the upper branch of the third vein in each winL,s
and traces of a similar appendix are to be seen in some of the other
specimens in the Museum. In the British Islands Therioplectes luridus
would appear to be a northern species, and as yet the Museum
possesses no specimens from either England, Wales, or Ireland.
Colonel Yerbury writes : — " In Scotland this is the earliest <>f the
Tabanida;. In May 1905, it was met with in numbers near Nairn,
when both sexes were found sitting on a sandy road leading to
Mairston Sand Hills. A single female was taken at Aviemore on
June 5th, 1904. Probably all the Tabanida; seen by me in Scotland
at this time of the year belonged to this species." The Continental
specimens of this species in the Museum collection are all from
Norway; additional localities given by Brauer are Swedish-Lapland,
Sweden, Poland, Silesia, and Bohemia.

Therioplectes tropicus, Pz. {tiec Mg.).

(Form bisignatns, Jaenn.)

Plate 16.

In its typical form this species has an ochraceous or ochraceous-
buff patch on each side of the abdomen extending from the posterior
angles of the first to the posterior margin of the third or anterior
border of the fourth segment, leaving a broad median black stripe
one-third of the abdomen in width. Two males in the possession of
the Museum from Oxshott, Surre}', June 9th, 1895 {Lieiit.-Coloncl
Yerbury and IF. R. Ogilvie Grant), and Chattenden Roughs, Kent,
July I2th, 1902 {H. W. Aiidreivs), respectively are of this character,
but the whole of the British females in the Museum series [15] are of
the melanochroic form bisignatns, of which a specimen is illustrated
in Plate 16, which accordingly would appear to be the common
British form of the female of this species. As a further proof of this
conclusion it maybe mentioned that at Oxshott on June 9th, 1S95,

42

Colonel Yerbiirj' and Mr. W. R Ogilvic Grant took, in addition tn
the normal male already mentioned, three females of the bisignatits
form. In many of the females in the Museum collection there is no
trace of the russet markings on the sides of the second abdominal
segment seen in the specimen shown in the plate, but the abdomen
appears wholly black, with, however, a longitudinal row of whitish
markings on each side of the median series of white triangles. The
resemblance between the form bisiguaius and TheriopUctcs iiikans,
Mg., has already been alluded to in the notes on the latter species
(see page 7,y).

The two males of T/i. tropicus referred to above are 145 mm. in
length, with a wing-expanse of 28 mm. ; the length of the females
varies from i4to iSjmm. According to Brauer {loc.cit., pp. 146-147)
the eyes in this species are green with three purple bands ; in the
male the lower margin is green and unbanded. The Museum pos-
sesses no specimens of this species from Wales, Scotland, or Ireland,
but in England at any rate Tli. tropicus appears to be among the
more common of the larger horse-flies. The dates of capture of the
females in the Museum series range from Ma\' i6th to July 12th inclu-
sive, and the localities are Brinklow, Warwickshire {E. E. Austen);
Berkhamsted, Herts ( W. R. 0. Grant) ; Feldcn, Boxmoor, Herts
{A. Piffard); Colchester, Essex ((/'. //. Haruood) ; Oxshott, Surre\-
( //'. R. 0. Grant and Lieut.-Colonel Yerhurr) ; and New Forest, Hants
[Lieut.-Culonel Yerbury and C. 0. Watcrhouse). In the last-mentioned
locality Colonel Yerbury notes that bisignatus is the common form of
the S[jecies. Continental sjjecimens of Tli. tropicus in the Museum
collection are from Siberia, Norway and Russia (typical form), and fmm
Rhenish Prussia (form bisignatus). Additional Continental localities
given by Brauer are Sweden, Germany and Austria for the t\-pical
form, and France, Silesia and Asiatic Russia for the form bisignatus,
which was originally described from a specimen from the neighbour-
hood of Paris.

43

Therioplectes solstitialis, Schin., Brauer (? Mg).

Plate 17.

In this species, which is the most brightly coloured of the larger
British Tabanida?, the two sexes are alike in coloration, though the
black median dorsal stripe on the abdomen is usually narrower and
more distinctl_\- defined in the male. Of eight British males in the
Museum collection the smallest is 14I, the largest 16^ mm. in length,
while twenty females vary in length from 14^ to 17 mm. The eyes
of the male according to Brauer (/^^. cit., p. 150), are "dark green,
with a strong purple sheen above, with two purple bands on the
lower third, and with the rudiment of a similar band on the edge
of the larger facets " ; those of the female are described as " bright
green, with a coppery sheen, or bluish green, with three narrow-
purple bands, which often have a )'eIlow edging."

The dates of capture of the Museum series of TIi. solstitialis range
from June 13th to July 22nd inclusive. The localities are, in Scotland :
Nethy Bridge and Aviemore, Inverness-shire ; Nairn ; Brodie, Elgin ;
and Rannoch, Perthshire {Lieut.-Colonel Yerbtny) ; Taynuilt, Argyll-
shire {A. Beaumont) ; and Goatfell, Arran {Sir G. F. Hatiipson, Bt.).
In Wales : Barmouth, Merionethshire {Lieut.-Colonel Yerbuiy). And
in England : Tarrington, Herefordshire ; Lyndhurst, New Forest,
and Ringwood, Hants {Lieut.-Colonel Ycrbiiiy)-. Beaulieu, Hants
{Miss Gertrude Ricardo) ; Avon and VValkham Valleys, S. Devon
{Lieut.-Colonel Yerbuiy); and near Bude, Cornwall (.5. G. Rye). In
the Museum general collection there are specimens from Norway,
and the localities given by Brauer show that the species occurs south-
wards as far as Hungary and the Tjrol, and eastwards on the Amur
river in Russian Asia.

Colonel Yerbury writes that in Great Britain Th. solstitialis is
" very common and general!}' distributed. The males are frequently
seen hovering over roads through woods, and the habit seems to be
confined to this species. Although not painful, the bite of the
female is very severe, and draws blood more often than that of any
other species."

44

Gi:.\us
ATYLOTUS, Osten Sacken.

Atylotus fulvus, Mg.

Plate 1 8.

The general ochreous colour of the bod}- will .ser\e to distinguish
this species, which is one of the rarer of our British horse-flies.
Rubbed specimens, however, look darker owing to the disappearance
of the short silky golden hairs, which co\ er the body and produce
the characteristic hue, and in the specimen figured in the plate these
hairs are unfortunately wanting on the abdomen.

The only British specimens of A . /n/vus that the IMuseum possesses
are a male, from Lyndhurst, New Forest. Hants, June 24th, 1897,
and five females, from the same locality and L)-ndhurst Road,
June 29th and Jul)' 8th, 1897 {Liciit. -Colonel Yerhury) ; Beau-
lieu, Hants, July 15th, 1898 {Miss Gertrude Ricardo) ; and Kenmare,
Co. Kerry, Ireland, June 30th, 1901 {Lieut.- Colonel Verditrj). The
length of the male is 14' mm. ; that of the five females varies from
14I: to iSj mm. The eyes of the male are usually without bands;
those of the female are described by Brauer {loc. cit., p. 170J as " pale
olive-green, with an oblique fine dark line and shot with several
almost black round spots." In the male of this as of the following
species an area in the upper half of the eye, running from the inner
nearl)- to the outer margin, is composed of much larger facets than
the remainder.

Writing of A. fulviis Colonel Yerbur\- sa\s that it is "a rare
species," and that he has met with it " onl_\- in the New Forest, and at
Glengariff and Kenmare in Ireland."

The Continental series of this species in the Museum collection
includes examples from Hungary,Switzerland, and Spain. According
to Brauer it is generally distributed throughout Central and Southern
Europe, and is also found in Scandinavia, Russia, and Asia Minor.

45

Atylotus rusticus, Fabr.

In the British Islands this species is even more rare than the
foregoing, from which it may be distinguished by the greyer tint of
the short hair covering the bod)'. The dimensions are similar to
those of A.fidvus. The eyes of the male sometimes have a purplish
transverse line at the junction of the large and small facets ; similarl)'
those of the female are either unbanded or in some cases have a
single narrow band.

The only modern British example of this species in the Museum
is a male from North-east Essex ( W. H. Harwood), of which the
date of capture is unfortunately unknown ; but a male and female
without locality labels are contained in the old Stevensian collection.
The general collection of Diptera includes specimens from France,
Hungary, and Algeria. The localities given b\- Brauer {loc. cit., p. 169)
show that the species is distributed throughout Central and Southern
Europe.

Genus
TABANUS, Linnaeus.

Tabanus bovinus, Lw. (.Schiner pro parte)

Plate 19.

This and the following species, Tabanus sudettais, Zlr. (Plate 20)
are the bulkiest of all British Diptera, and on the whole T. sudeticus
is slightly the larger of the two. Although as a rule specimens of the
latter species are distinctly darker than those of T. bovinus, the females
are often difficult to distinguish, and it is by no means easy to give
thoroughly satisfactory characters for their separation. The males of
the two species, on the other hand, can readily be distinguished owing
to the fact that while the facets in the upper half of the e\-e of T.

46

bovinus are not noticeabh- larger than those in the lower, the facets in
the upper two-thirds of the eye of the male T. sudeiiciis are, with the
exception of those on the hinrl margin, at least four times the size of
the rest. In both species the eyes are devoid of bands, and, according
to Brauer {loc. cit., pp. 184, 185), in the living insect, while those of
the male of T. bovinus are entirely green, the eyes of the male T.
siidetiais are " blackish, with a copper)- sheen, the larger facets greyish,
the smaller ones more reddish." In the case of the females the colour
of the eyes is given b}- Brauer [loc. cit., p. 136) as "emerald green" in
T. bovinus, and as " alwa)-s blackish-brown, with a coppery sheen " in
T. sudeticHS. In both sexes the pale hind margins- of the abdominal
segments are usually more distincth- marked off from the ground colour
in T. sudeticus than in T. bovinus.

The British series of Tabanus bovinus in the possession of the
Museum includes two males (both of which arc from the Waller
Clifton collection, and unfortunately without either localities
or dates), and nine females, all from the southern counties ;
the following are the localities and dates of the female specimens : —
Oxshott, Surrey, June i6th, 1895, (IF. R. Ogilvie Grant);
Farnham, Surrey, Julj' 13th, 1899, — "on window of Sub Post Office"
(yj. Rawlins) ; Froyle, Hants, July 6th, 1893 {IV. R. Ogilvie Grant) ;
L}-ndhurst, New Forest, Hants, June 30th, 1894 (Lieut.-Coloncl
Yerburj'), July 2ist, 1890 (F. IV. Fro/iazvk), and August, 1893
(Z. C. C/mwner) ; Ringwood, Hants, June 29th, 1894 {Lieut. -Colonel
Yerbury); and Ivybridge, S. Devon, July 26th, 1889 {Lieut. -Colonel
1 'erbury).

The two males are respectively 20 and 2 1 \ mm. in length, and their
wing-expanse is 371 mm. in the one case and 39 mm. in the other.
The smallest British female in the Museum series is 21 j mm. in length,
the largest 23I mm. (wing-expanse 47 mm.).

In addition to British specimens of T. bovinus, the Museum
possesses examples from the South of France, Hungar\-, and Poli.sh
Ukraine. Additional localities given by Brauer show that the species
is found from Sweden to Italy, and eastwards to Siberia and the Amur.

Of the habits of this species Brauer writes {loc. cit., \x 187): —
" The females swarm round horses, cattle, and deer. The males hover
in the air in clearings in woods, and above somewhat elevated places

47

in meadows, but not on mountain tops ; the}' do this especiall)- on
■sulti-}', thundery days, in the sun after downpours of rain, or early in
the morning."

Tabanus sudeticus, Zlr.
Plate 20.

The British specimens of this fine species in the Museum collec-
tion consist of one male (length 2o| mm.) and thirteen females ; the
length of the latter ranges from 2oi to 24I mm. ; the wing-expanse
of the largest female is 48 mm. In view of the particulars as to this
species already given (see T. boviiius), it is now only necessar_\- to
refer to the localities and dates of our specimens. Brauer {/oc. cit.,
p. 185) states that in Austria T. sudeticus ison the wing much laterin the
}'ear than T. boviniis, and that while the latter occurs in Ma\- and until
the middle of June, the former is met with at the end of June and
throughout July and August. In the British Islands, however, the
time of flight of the two species would seem to be pretty much the
same. The localities and dates of the British specimens of T. sitdcticns
in the Museum collection are as follows: — Brodie, Elgin, N.H.,
August 2nd, 1905 (^Lieut-Colonel Yerbury) ; Nethy Bridge, Inverness-
shire, N.B., July 8th and 9th, 1905 {Lieut-Colonel Yerbury) ; Drimmin,
Sound of Mull, Argyllshire, N.B., 1904 {Miss Henrietta Brozvn) ;
Birnam, Perthshire, N.B., August 25th, 1894 {H. S. Barr); Goat Fell,
Arran, N.B., June 20th, 1893 {Sir G. F. Hatnpson, Bt.) ; Felden,
Boxmoor, Herts, July 7th, 1893 {A. Pijfard) ; Budshead Wood,
S. Devon, July ist, 1889 {$), and Walkham Valley, S. Devon,
July 31st, 1896 {Lieut-Colonel Yerbury'); Kenmare, Co. Kerr\-,
Ireland, June 28th, and Jul}' 7th and loth, 1901 {Lieut-Colonel

Yerbury); and Glencar, Co. Kerry, August i6th, igoi {Lieut.-Colonel

Yerbury).

Colonel Yerbur)' writes : — " Tabanus sudeticus, Zlr., was the
commonest horse-fly at Kenmare in July, 1901 ; in Scotland it
seems to be rather an uncommon species. T. sudeticus d^nd T. bovinus

4<S

both make a deep lium when flying round one, quite unlike tlie note
produced by the smaller Tabanidrt."

The Museum general collection of Diptera contains specimens of
7". sudeticus from Hungary and Spain ; additional localities given b\-
Brauer show that the species is generally distributed throughout
Europe. Writing with reference to Austria, Brauer says : — " Ikfore
sunrise the males ho\-er and swarm in the air above the iiighest
mountain-tops, e.g., the Dobratsch (according to Buchmiiller} and
Hohen Zinken (as stated by Frauenfeld), and sit on fences in the
sun during the morning after emerging from the pupa ; the females
are found on the leaves of shrubs and on cattle."

Tabanus autumnalis, Linn.

Plates 2 1 and 22.

The striking sexual difference in the marking and coloration of the
abdomen exhibited by this species is well shown in the plates ; the
difference in the appearance of the head in the t\\ o sexes, caused by
the eyes meeting together in the males, which aie consequent!)' said
to be ''holoptic," is common to all Tabanidre, as also to many other
Diptera (compare Plates 1 1 and 26j. Of Tabanus aittiitinialis, which
in the South of England, according to Colonel Yerbury, is " one of the
commonest species of the genus," the British Museum posses.ses nine
modern British specimens (five males and four females), from the
following localities : — N.E. Essex and Colchester, Essex, date of cap-
ture unknown, ( W. H. Hariuood) ; Felden, Boxmoor, Herts, Jul)- 17th,
1 899 {A. Piffard) ; Harrow, Middlesex. July 1 5th, 1901 ( W. D. Lang) ;
Brockenhurst, \ew Forest, Hants, Ma\- 30th, 1896 {Miss Gertrude
Ricardo); Dun.ster, Somerset, August 1st, \<)02 {Lieut. -Colonel C. T.
Bingham); S. Devon,— .Avon Valley, May 15th, 1896, Warleigh
Marsh, June 24th, 1889, and Tamerton Folliott, June 29th, 1889
{Lieut.-Colonel Yerbury). The Mu.seum general collection contains
specimens of this species from France, Portugal, Hungar)-, Ital)-, and
Algeria. The localities given b\- Brauer {loc. cit.. p. 193) show that it

49

is found throughout Central and Southern Europe, from Sweden to
Corsica and Corfu, while it also occurs in Asia Minor.

The eyes in T. autumnalis are without bands ; Brauer describes
those of the male as " black, iridescent, the large facets grey." As
regards the dimensions of the British specimens in the Museum, the
length of the males varies from i6 to 19 mm., that of the females
from 16^ to 20 mm. ; the wing-expanse of the largest female is 38 mm.

Tabanus bromius, Linn.
Plate 23.

This species, as stated by Colonel Yerburj', is ver\' common in the
south of England ; it is also the most easily recognised of the smaller
species of Tabaiius, since the large, conspicuous, and sharply defined
yellowish spots on the abdomen give it quite a distinctive appearance.
It is true that dark females of Tlierioplectes montanus, Mg., with little
or no chestnut colour on the sides of the abdomen present a certain
similarity to females of the present species, but they can, of course, at
once be distinguished by the e}-es being conspicuously hair}-.

An examination of the British series of Tabanus bromius in the
Museum collection shows that the males vary in length from 13^ to
15 mm., while the length of the females ranges from 131 to 16 mm.
The eyes of the male have an area of large facets in the upper half;
those of the female are described by Brauer (Joe. cit., p. 188) as being
" sometimes lighter, sometimes darker green, shimmering red " ; in
both se.xes the eyes have a single purple band.

In England Tabanus bromius would appear to be on the wing from
June to August ; the localities and dates of the British specimens in the
possession of the Museum are as follows : — Stockenchurch, O.xford-
shire, August 15th — i8th, 1896 {Lieut.-Colonel Ycrbnry); Oxshott,
Surrey, June i6th, 1895 ( TF. R. Ogilvie Grant); Bearsted, Kent,
July 26th, 1896 {E. E. Green) ; Crowborough, Sussex, July loth, 1892
( W. R. Ogilvie Grant) ; Lyndhurst, New Forest, Hants, June 28th —
]v\y 2ist {Licut.-Colonel Yerbury ; F.C.Adams; F. fF. Frohazok);

D

50

Christchiirch, Hants, July ist, i^^CfA, {Lieut. -Colonel Yerhiny) ; various
localities in S. Devon, June 24th — July 30th, 1889 {Lieut. -Colonel
Yerbury).

Tabanus broniius is distributed throughout Europe ; the Museum
series (general collection) includes specimens from France, Switzerland,
Italy, Hungary, and Corsica. As an instance of the abundance of this
species in certain Continental localities, it may be mentioned that
Brauer states that he once captured about one hundred specimens of
7". broiiiius on a window near Liezen in Upper Styria.

Tabanns maculicornis, Ztt.
Plate 24.

In the marking of the abdomen the females of this species
resemble those of the foregoing, though the spots are paler and often
less sharply defined. Apart, however, from their usually smaller
size and darker appearance, the females of T. inactilicornis can at
once be distinguished from those of T. bromius by the much greater
width of the light-grey supra-occipital border of the head, behind
the upper margin of the e}-es. In the male .sex also the abdominal
markings are paler than in T. broniius (whitish instead of yellow),
while the head is relatively much larger. According to Brauer
{loc. cit., pp. 197-198), the eyes of the male of T. maculicornis
are "green, with a broad purple band at the junction of the different
sized facets " ; those of the female are described as " green, often
with a coppery sheen, with a sometimes narrower, sometimes
broader, purjjle band, w hich becomes le.ss distinct towards the inner
and outer margins." Tabanus maculicornis is, as a rule, distinctl}-
the smallest of the British species of Tabanus, although small females
of f. cordiger, Mg. (Plate 25), sometimes do not exceed large females
of the present species in size. In the British series of T. maculicornis
in the Museum collection the length of the males ranges from 1 1 to
13 mm., and that of the females from 11^ to 13^ mm. The time of
flight appears to be June and July.

Colonel Verbury notes that this species, like the foregoing, is

51

very common in the south of England. The modern British series
belonging to the Museum at present consists of two males and
eleven females from the following localities : W^oolmer Forest, Hants,
June, 1893 {Colonel Irby); Crabwood, Winchester, Hants, Jul}- 20th,
1893 (ZL. C. Chaiuner); Lyndhurst Road, New Forest, Hants, June
14th, \%<^i^ {Lieut. -Colonel Yefbuiy); Fordingbridge, Hants, June nth,
1897 {Lieut. -Colonel Yerbuvy) ; various localities in S. Devon, June
I ith — July 4th {Lieut. -Colonel Yerbury). The Museum general collec-
tion includes specimens of T. inaculicornis from Norway, Brittany
Germany, and Austria.

Tabanus cordiger, Mg.

Plate 25.

In this species also the head of the male is large, and strongly
concavo-convex, with a conspicuous area of large facets in the upper
half of each eye ; the female may be recognised by the exceptionally
broad front (space between the e}'es), and by the shape of the shining
black callus between the lower angles of the eyes, which is large and
square, and occupies practically the whole width of the front. Brauer
{loc. c.it, pp. 201-202) describes the e}-es of the male as " grey above,
green in the lower fourth," with a dark transverse band between the
large and small facets ; the e)-es of the female are stated to be
unhanded. Two British males of this species are each 14^ mm. in
length ; seven females measure from 13 to 15 mm.

According to Colonel Yerbury, Tabanus cordiger is " usually a rare
insect, but occurs plentifully in the Abernethy Forest, Inverness-shire,
in July and August." The British series in the Museum at present
consists of two males and se\'en females, the localities and dates of
which are as follows: Nethy Bridge, Inverness-shire, N.B., July 26th —
29th, 1904 {Lieut. -Colonel Yerbury) ; Braemar, Aberdeenshire, N.B.,
July 22nd, 1873 {G. Lf. Verrall) ; Avon Valley, S. Devon, May 27th
and 28th, and June 12th and 19th, 1896 (Licut.-Colonel Yerbury);
Walkham Valley, S. Devon, July 2ist, 1889 {Licut.-Colonel Yerbury).
The Museum general collection includes specimens of this species

52

from Huni^aiy, Corsica, Cyprus, and Biskra, Algeria. Additional
localities given by Brauer show that it extends throughout Central
and Southern Europe, and is also found in Asia Minor.

Tabanas glaucopis, Mg.

This species, of which the Museum at present possesses no Briti.sh
examples, resembles Tabanus broniius, but may be distinguished by
the presence of a fairly broad and conspicuous yellow edging to the
abdominal segments. The other abdominal markings are also
yellower, and a further character for the recognition of the females is
afforded by a conspicuous and rather broad median black callus on
the front, above the callus between the lower angles of the eyes, with
which it is not connected. The head of the male in shape and size is
similar to that of the foregoing species ; according to Brauer {loc. cit.,
p. 199) the facets in the upper three-quarters of the ej'e are about four
times larger than those in the lower quarter. The colour of the eyes
of the male is described by Brauer as "grey, dark at the margin, green
below, with a purple shimmer ; in the lower fourth with three purple
bands, the uppermost of which is divided towards its inner extremity."
Brauer describes the ej-es of the female as " green, red above towards
the vertex and on the lower margin, in the centre with three curved
and yellow-bordered purple bands." The length of the male is stated
by Brauer as i6'5 mm., that of the female as from 16 to 18 mm.
Nine Continental females in the Museum collection vary in length
from 135 to 16 mm.

The geographical range of Tabanus glauco/>!S includes Central and
Southern Europe. The Museum possesses specimens from Brittany
the South of France, Spain, and the Tyrol.

53

Genus
CHRYSOPS, Meigen.

Chrysops csecutiens, Linn.

Plate 26.

The figures in the plate illustrate the striking sexual difference in
the coloration and marking of the abdomen, which, though also seen
in the case of Chrysops qiiadrata and relicta, is much more pronounced
in the present species. It should be noted, however, that on the
ventral surface of the abdomen of the male C. avcutiens there is a
yellow patch on each side, which frequently extends on to the upper
surface and forms a more or less conspicuous ochraceous fleck on each
side of the second segment. In life the eyes of this as of the
other species of the genus are extremely beautiful, even when com-
pared with those of other Tabanida;, which as a family are distin-
guished for the beauty of their eyes ; the ground-colour is golden or,
reddish-green, and is marked with purple spots and lines.

Chrysops ccecutiens has been taken by Colonel Yerbury at Torcross
S. Devon, as early as May 24th, and the Museum series of specimens
shows that it is on the wing at any rate until the end of the first week
in August. The dates and localities of the specimens are as follows : —
Nairn, N.B., July 17th, 1904 {Licut.-Coloncl Ycrbiiry) ; Oundle, North-
ants, July i6th, 1905 {Hon. N. C. Rothschild); Rugby, Warwickshire,
July 3rd, 1890, July loth, 1892 {E. E. Austen); Felden, Boxmoor,
Herts, July 24th, 1893 {A. Piffard) ; Bearsted, Kent, July loth, 1896
{E. E. Green); Fawkham, Kent, July 7th, 1895 {W. E. de Winton) ;
Tilgate Forest, Sussex, August 3rd, 1890 {E. E. Austen); Woolmer
Forest, Hants, August 7th, 1892 ( W. R. Ogilvie Grant) ; Lyndhurst and
Lyndhurst Road, New Forest, Hants, June 25th to July 12th, 1894
{^Lieut-Colonel Yerbury); various localities in S. Devon, May 24th to
July 28th {Lieut.-ColoHcl Yerbury) ; Porthcawl, Glamorganshire, S.
Wales, June 17th and iSth, 1903 {Licut.-Coloncl Yerbury).

54

111 England, on the whole, this is probably the commonest species
of its genus, although in some localities its place appears to be taken
by Chrysops relicta. Colonel Yerbury writes that " the genus Chrysops
does not seem to be plentiful in Scotland " ; and he further adds that
" Chrysops and Fhciiintopota are silent or almost so in their approach;
Tabaniis, on the other hand, announces its arrival with a more or
less loud hum." At Brockenhurst, in the New Forest, on July 14th,
1894, Colonel Yerbury captured a female of Macliiiniis atricapillus.
Fin. (a small Robber-fi\-), feeding on a male of the present species.

The geographical range of Chrysops acciitiois extends throughout
Europe to Siberia ; the Continental series in the Museum includes
specimens from France, Germany, Bohemia and Corsica.

Chrysops quadrata, Mg.

Plate 27.

In the male of this species the basal half of the abdomen shows
a considerable amount of \ellow at the sides, though the median
quadrate black spot on the second segment, which is a continuation
of the black area on the first, is very much larger than in the female,
and nearly reaches the hind margin. As in the female, the hinder
portion of the third segment, and sometimes that of the fourth as
well, is conspicuouslj' )-ellow. The median black spot on the second
abdominal segment of the female is variable in shape as well as in
size, being sometimes nearly square and sometimes more or less dis-
tinctly cordate. In the specimen illustrated it is connected with the
blotch on the first segment, but more frequentl)' it is separate.

Ne.Kt to Chrysops scpidcliralis, Fabr., C. quadrata is less often met
w ilh than any other of the British species of the genus. Colonel
Yerbur)' writes that it is " as a rule rare, but is the common form in
Denny Wait in the New Forest." The Museum series at present
consists of one male and eight females, from the following localities : —
Guestling, Hastings, Sussex, 1892 {Rro. E. N.Bloovifield); Lyndhurst
and L\ndhurst Road, New Forest, Hants, July 3rd, 4th, and 21st;

55

August 14th, and September ist, i2>g^ {Liciit.-Colonel Ycrbuty); Holne,
Dartmoor, S. Devon, July 6th, 1896 {Lieut. -Colonel Yerbiiiy).

Chiysops quadrata occurs on the Continent in Central and Southern
Europe ; the general collection includes specimens from France,
German}', Hungar}', and Corsica.

Chrysops relicta, Mg.

Plate 28.

The width and shape of the black blotches on the second abdo-
minal segment, as well as the sharpl)- defined pale triangles and hind
margins on the following segments afford a ready means for the dis-
tinction of the female of this species from that of C. ciccutiens. In
the specimen illustrated in the plate the blotches on the second seg-
ment are somewhat obscured by the wings, which are in the resting
position. The markings of the male abdomen are similar to those of
the female, but the sides of the basal portion are more tawnj', and the
pale triangles are much less distinct.

The Museum series of British specimens of this species, which as
Colonel Yerbury remarks, is " common and generall)- distributed," is
a fairly long one, and shows that it is on the wing from the latter end
of May until at any rate the third week in August. The localities and
dates of the specimens, which, unless otherwise stated, were taken
and presented by Lieut.-Colonel Yerbury, arc as follows : — Nairn, N.B.,
July t/th, 1904 ; Aviemore, Inverness-shire, N.B., July 7th and 9th,
1899, and August iSth, 1898; Rannoch, Perthshire, N.B., July nth,
1898; Lyndhurst, New Forest, Hants, July 4th, 1894; Brockenhurst,
New Forest, August 17th, 1893 ( fF. R. Ogilvie Grant) ; Torcross, S.
Devon, May 24th to 26th, 1893 ; Porthcawl, Glamorganshire, S. Wales,
June 25th, 1903 ; Leenane, Co. Galway, Ireland, July 14th, 1892
(E. E. Austeu) ; Kenmare, Loo Bridge, and Parknasilla, Co. Kerry,
Ireland, July 2nd to 15th, 1901.

The range of this species on the Continent includes Northern and
Central Europe ; the Continental series of C. relicta in the possession

56

of the Museum, although at present \ery limited, includes specimens
from such widely distant localities as the North Cape, Norwa)', and
the South of France.

Chrysops sepulcralis, Fabr.

This species was not known to be British until two males were
taken on Studland Heath, nearSvvanage, Dorset, on August 3rd, 1895,
by Captain Savile Reid, by whom they were presented to the British
Museum (Natural History). No further specimens of C. sepulcralis
have since been received by the Museum, but a female was taken on
Parle}' Common, near Ringwood, Hants, on August 8th, 1904, by
Mr. G. H. Verrall. Chrysops sepulcralis, which, in the British Islands,
consequently appears to be decidedly rare and local, is a small species ;
the two males referred to above are 8^ mm. in length, while a female
from German)' measures only ]\ mm. In this species the body is
entirely black in both sexes, the outer margin of the dark transverse
band across the wing is concave instead of, anteriorly at least, convex,
and the face (except immediatel}' beneath the base of the antennje)
is wholly shining, the facial and jowl-tubercles being confluent.

The geographical range of Chrysops sepulcralis includes Scandinavia,
Gcrman\', and Russia.

57

Family
MUSCID/E.

The three British blood-sucking species belonging to this Fam'iy
are all nearly allied to the Common House-fly {Miisca domestica, Linn.),
but derive an even greater interest from their close relationship to the
African Tsetse-flies (Genus Glossina), one species of which, Glossiiia
palpalis, Rob.-Desv., is now widely known as the disseminator of the
parasite which is the cause of the dread disease called sleeping
sickness. In the Muscida;, which, in the widest sense of the term are
perhaps the largest of all the families of Diptera, the blood-sucking
habit is highly exceptional and is confined to a very few genera
and species, all of which in appearance present a general resemblance
to the Common House-fly. In cases in which the blood-sucking habit
occurs, it appears to be common to both sexes.

Blood-sucking Muscidae, with the exception op the Tsctsc-Jlics,
breed in dung, depositing eggs from which are developed white
maggots of the type of those of the Common Blow-fly {Calliphora
eiythrocephala, Mg.). According to Riley and Howard, Lyperosia
irritaiis, Linn. {Hceinatobia scrntta, Rob.-Desv.), (Plate 30, fig. 2),
oviposits on fresh cow-dung, and its eggs are irregularly oval in shape,
flattened on one side, and from r25 to 1-37 mm. in length, by 0'34 to
0"4i mm. in width. The newly-hatched larvae descend into the dung,
and eventually when full-grown attain a length of 7 mm. Pupation
takes place in the ground beneath, at a depth of from half to three-
quarters of an inch. The pujiarium is of the normal Muscid type,
dark-brown in colour, barrel-shaped, and from 4 to 4'5 mm. in length
by 2 to 2"5 mm. in width. Stoiiio.xys calcitnms, Linn., breeds

in horse-droppings, and its larva; are very similar to those of the
Common House-fly, which also breeds in horse-dung.

58

Genus
STOMOXYS, Geoffroy.

Stomoxys calcitrans, Linn.
Plate 29.

The similarit}- in size between this species and the House-fly
{Mtisca domestica, Linn.) sometimes causes Stomoxj's to be mistaken
for the latter, with the result that the House-fly is occasionally
supposed to be capable of biting. Apart from points of difference
afforded b)- markings, however, Stomoxys, not to mention other struc-
tural differences, can always be recognised b}- the little black, rigid
piercing proboscis, which, as shown in the plate, when not in use
projects horizontally in front of the head, whereas the fleshy, non-
biting proboscis of the House-fly is normally carried drawn up into
a cavity on the under side. The sexes of the present species can be
distinguished by the front (space between the eyes) in the male
being scarcely more than half the width of that in the female.

Stoinoxfs calcitrans, which is the only European species of its
genus, and, like H(.ematobia stiinu/<ins, Mg. (Plate ^o, Fig. i;, plagues
both men and cattle, is common and generally distributed in the
British Islands in summer and early autumn, and especially abundant
in England in August and September, when it ma)- often be seen
sitting about in numbers on rails and gates in i^asture-fields. The
Museum series contains specimens from many different localities
between and including the Southern Sutor, Cromarty, N.B., and South
Devon. The dates of capture range from May 27th (Folkestone
Kent) to October 3rd (Staines, Middlesex).

With reference to this and the following species {Hamatobia
sthnulaus, Mg.), Colonel Yerbury writes : — " These are common
species in the Thames Valley ; 5. calcitrans was abundant, too, at
Newmarket in October, 1905. The amount of pain produced by
the bite of a Dipteron probably depends upon the idiosj^ncrasy of
the person bitten ; to the writer, however, the bite of these two

59

species causes far greater pain than that of any other fl\-." Writing
in the' Entomologist's Monthly Magazine,' Vol. II. (1865), pp. 142, 143,
Mr. T. J. Bold gives instances of extraordinary virulence of the bite
of S. calcitrans in the case of cattle and horses at Long Benton,
Northumberland, in September, 1865. At one time a veterinary
surgeon had fourteen cows under treatment for the bites. " The
animals were generally bitten on the outside of the legs, on the
shoulders, and, in rare cases, on the neck. In some of the severe
cases the joints were so much swollen that the poor animals could
not bend their legs to lie down, and in them the inflammation rose
so high as to cause the loss of the outer skin and hair." The bites
of the flies had no effect upon the hands of the veterinary surgeon
attending the cows.

The geographical range of Stovioxys calcitrans has not )'et been
fully elucidated, but it is undoubtedly very wide. The species is
generally distributed in Europe, and also occurs in North America,
where it is said to be very common throughout the inhabited parts.
A race of it is found in the Gambia Colony, West Africa, and it has
also been recorded as occurring in Hong Kong, Batavia (Java),
Ceylon, and S}'dney (New South Wales). A specimen from the
Naini Tal District, in Northern India,' is indistinguishable from
British examples.

Genus
H/EMATOBIA, Robineau-Desvoidy.

Haematobia stimulans, Mg.

Plate 30, Fig. i.

In habits, time of occurrence, and extent of distribution in the
British Islands this species agrees with the foregoing. In point of
size H. stimulans occupies a position intermediate between Stoinoxys
calcitrans and the following species. The head in both sexes is
very much smaller than in J:>. calcitrans, and the eyes in the male are

6o

much closer together, being only narrowly separated. The palpi,
which in 5. inlcilni)isa.re exceedingly slender and short, and cannot be
seen when tiie insect is viewed from above, in the present species are
prominent and expanded at the tips, and, though still distinctly
shorter than the proboscis, are apparent!}' capable of forming a partial
sheath for that organ.

The localities of the Museum series of specimens of this common
species include the Northern Sutor, Cromarty, N.B., and Dartmoor,
S. Devon ; in addition to \arious places in the midland and southern
counties of England, there are also specimens from Barmouth,
N. Wales, and Kenmare, Co. Kerry, Ireland {^Lieiit. -Colonel Yerbiiiy).
The dates of capture range from May 5th to September 6th. For
Colonel Yerbury's notes, see the previous species.

The Museum unfortunately possesses no specimens of HiEinatobia
sthnulatis from localities outside the British Islands, but it is
probable that on the Continent it is as widely distributed as
6". calcitraus, although, so far as the writer is aware, it has not
yet been recorded from any locality outside Europe. Zetterstedt
states that it occurs throughout Scandinavia, but in Austria, according
to Schiner, it is somewhat rare.

Genus
LYPEROSIA, Rondani.

Lyperosia irritans, Linn.

Plate 30, fig. 2.

In this species, whicii is b_\- far the smallest of our native blood-
sucking Muscid.x-, the female measuring only from 4^ to 5 mm. in
length, the palpi, as in the Tsetse-flies (GlossiiKi) are flattened from
side to side and form a complete sheath for the proboscis, which they
equal in length. Lyperosia irritans does not appear to attack human
beings, but is a pest of cattle, on the backs of which it is found, show ing,
according to Zetterstedt, a preference for black animals ; this latter

6i

trait is in accordance with the well-known predilection of other blood-
sucking Diptera, such as Anopheles and HcEiiiatopota, for resting
upon dark surfaces. The localities and dates of the Museum series of
specimens are as follows : — Felden, Boxmoor, Herts, September 5th,
189s (^. Piffard) \ Lewes, Sussex, June Sth, 1870 (C H. ]'erra/l);
Torcross, S. Devon, August 25th, 1903, and Porthcawl, Glamorgan-
shire, S. Wales, May 31st, 1903 {Lieiit.-Coloiiel. Yerbury).
Colonel Yerbury contributes the following note : — " In the British
Isles this seems to be an uncommon insect. It has been caught on
the backs of cattle at Barmouth (Merioneth), Porthcawl (Glamorgan-
shire), and Torcross (S. Devon). These flies collect in numbers on
the withers of young cattle, but are, as may be imagined, difficult to
catch. The writer while catching them on the back of one beast got
his net hung up on the horns of another, with disastrous consequences to
the net. This, or a very closely allied species has the same habits in
Ceylon, and was found in great numbers near Trincomali,on the backs
of the village cattle."

The geographical range of L. irritans doubtless includes the
whole of Europe, since it is known to extend from Central
Scandinavia to Italy, where, according to Rondani, it attacks horses
as well as cattle. The species has been introduced into the United
States, where it is stated to have the habit of clustering in masses
about the base and on the concave side of the horns of cattle, and
has consequentl}- been termed the " Horn-fly." First observed on
cattle in New Jersey and Maryland in the summer and autumn
of the year 1887, it is said to be now generally distributed
throughout the United States and Eastern Canada. The Museum
possesses a specimen from Vernon, British Columbia, where it was
taken by Miss Ricardo on July 25th, 1902. The species is known to
American writers by its synon}-m Hamatobia scrrata, Rob.-Desv.

&J

Family
HIPPOBOSCID^.

The strange-looking flies composing this Family are parasitic
upon mammals and birds, and are probably descended from
ancestors belonging to the Muscid;E, which underwent modification
in bodily structure as a consequence of the adoption of a parasitic
mode of life. The body in all cases is flattened and horny ; the feet
are provided with accessory claws to enable the insect to cling to
the hair or feathers of the host ; and while some of the forms, such
as the Forest Fly (Plate 31), and Ornithoviyia avicularia, Linn.
(Plate 32) are fully-winged, others show a progressive reduction in
this respect until in the " Sheep Tick " {Melophagiis oviniis, Linn.,
Plate 34), the wings are wanting altogether. But even in fully-
winged forms, since the flies are true parasites, the wings, as a rule,
are made use of merely in order to reach the host, or, in the case of
the males, in order to find an indi\ iflual of the opposite sex, and
thereafter it is only in exceptional circumstances, such as the death
of the host, or too acti\-e pursuit b_\- the human hand, or when taking
a short flight from one animal to another, that these flies are ever
seen upon the wing. The proboscis in the Hippoboscida; is curved,
extremely slender, and protrusible, but is composed of the same
parts as that of the blood-sucking Muscida;. In appearance it
presents a decided resemblance to the proboscis of the Tsetse-flies,
and it also acts in the same way as the latter, its tip being armed
with sharp chitinous teeth which enable the organ to pierce the skin
of the host. Another point of resemblance to the Tsetse-flics is to be
found in the mode of reproduction, which is a further development
of the process seen in the flies referred to, and has caused the
Hippoboscida: and certain other families of parasitic Di])tera
belonging to the same group to receive the name Piipipara. Li these
forms, namely, the pregnant female does not lay eggs, but produces
at each birth a full-grown larva, which assumes the pupal state
iinmediatcl}' after extrusion.

In addition to those figured in Plates 31 to 34, the fauna of the

63

British Islands includes two other species of Hippoboscida;,
Stenopteryx hiriindhiis, Linn., and Oxypteriim pallidum, Leach, found
respectively on and in the nests of the house martin {Cluiidon urbica,
Linn.), and the swift {Cypselus apus, Linn.).

It is doubtful whether an authentic instance exists in which any
species of Hippoboscidje has sucked human blood under natural
conditions, though the flies sometimes stray on to human beings
when their hosts are interfered with.

Genus
HIPPOBOSCA, Linn-xu.s.

Hippobosca equina, Linn.— The Forest Fly.
Plate 31.

The upper figure shows the resting position.

As indicated b)' the English name, the . principal home of this
species in the British Islands is the New Forest, in Hampshire, where
it may often be seen in clusters like bees, sometimes numbering many
hundreds, on the ponies and cattle which run wild there. The flies
chiefly congregate on parts where the skin is thinnest, beneath the
tail, on the perinneum, and on the inner surface of the thighs. The
bite does not seem to cause pain, and animals bred in the Forest take
no notice of the fly, but strange horses and especially donkeys are
sometimes driven almost frantic by the irritation caused by a single
Forest Fly crawling over them. The toothed claws enable the fly to
cling so tightly to the hair that it is impossible for an animal to
dislodge it by a brush from its tail, and the quick and somewhat
crab-like movements of the insect, which when disturbi.d usually
moves sideways, tickle the host and are exceedingly irritating to
sensitive animals.

Forest flies are to be found from the beginning of May until at least
the second week in October. In addition to the New Forest the species

64

occurs in Dorsetshire, and apparent!}- througliout Wales, since tlic
Museum possesses specimens from Gl)n}bedd, Cadoxton juxta-Neath,
Glamorganshire, S. Wales, October nth, 1898 {^Dr. D. Thomas: on
cattle), and others from Beddgelert Valley, Carnarvonshire, N. Wales,
July, 1901 {0. Peter: also on cattle). From Dorsetshire there are speci-
mens from Corfe Castle, June and July 14th, 1897 iE. R. Bankes), and
Bonsley Down, near Blandford, September 25th, 1895 (the late /. C.
Ulanscl-Phyddl). In the latter neighbourhood the insect proved
troublesome to the army horses engaged in the Autumn Manoeuvres
of 1872.

The Forest Fly occurs throughout Europe and in verj- man)- other
widely distant localities, to some of which, at any rate, it has doubtless
been carried with horses in recent years. The Museum collection
includes specimens of the species from, — Algeria ; the Cape of Good
Hope ; Madeira ; Canary Is. ; St. Michael's, Azores ; Trebizond,
Turkej' in Asia ; Bengal ; Upper Burma ; Celebes ; Fiji ; and New
Caledonia.

Genus
ORNITHOMYIA, Latreille.

Ornithomyia avicularia, Linn.

Plate 32.

This species, which is a bird-parasite, is, as might be expected
generally distributed throughout the British Islands. The localities
of the Museum series of specimens range from the Shetland Islands
to Dorset, and include S. Wales and Co. Wicklow, Ireland. The birds
from which the flies were obtained were as follows : — pheasant, part-
ridge, red grouse, blackcock, snipe, long-eared owl, barn owl, green
woodpecker, thrush, blackbird, wheatcar, white-throat, red-backed
shrike, and starling. The flics frequently occur singl)-, but sometimes
a male and female, or even as many as three specimens, are found on
the same bird. If a bird infested by one of these insects be shot, the
parasite will sometimes take wing and fly with great pertinacit)-

65

round and round the person carrying the bird. Males whicii have^
perhaps, gone astray while seelcing a female are occasionally met with ;
thus at Brockenhurst, in the New Forest, on Ma)' 26th, 1894, '^ male
was caught on the wing by Mr. C. O. Waterhouse ; and the Museum
collection also contains another male, taken b}- Colonel Yerbury, at
Porthcawl, Glamorganshire, S. Wales, on July 1st, 1903, on a hotel
window. This species shows great indi\idual variation in size, as
also in coloration ; freshly caught or living indi\'iduals arc often quite
green.

Ornitliomvia avicularia appears to ha\e been carried by birds all
over the world ; the Museum possesses specimens from, among other
localities, Tristan. d'Acunha I., in the South Atlantic ; Launceston,
Tasmania ; and New Zealand. The species also occurs in New South
Wales, where, as also in Tasmania, it exhibits a remarkable change of
habit, since it is parasitic on the kangaroos known as wallabies
{Haliiiatitrns i-nfiioUis, Desm., and H. pariyi, Kenn).

CjrENUS

LIPOPTENA, 'Nitzsch.

Lipoptena cervi, Linn.

Plate 33, male : Plate 34, fig. i, female.

This species is parasitic upon several species of deer, including
the roe, red, and fallow deer, and also, in Scandinavia, upon the elk
{Alces alecs, Linn.) ; in Great Britain its chief host is the roe
{Capnolus caprcolns, Linn. j. On emerging from the pupa both sexes
possess wings, which, in the case of the female at an)- rate, as soon as
the insects reach the host appear to break off close to th-e base, leaving
stumps as shown in Plate 34, fig. i. Specimens of both sexes found
upon a roe are usual!)- in this wingless condition, in which they often
present a superficial resemblance to the " Sheep Tick " (^Melopliagus
ovinits, Linn. — Plate 34, fig. 2), though the)- can easily be dis-
tinguished b)' the possession of wing-stumps. In the autumn months,

E

66

however, winged males are sometimes met with in woods inhabited
by roe-deer ; these differ considerably in appearance from the apterous
males found in company with females among the hair of the host,
being paler in colour and more slender in the abdomen, while the
males that ha\e lost their wings are more like the females, and are
darker in colour with a broader and stouter abdomen. Winged
individuals of both sexes have been caught flying round a dead roe,
but the females all shed their wings in dying; the Museum collection
contains a number of males with wings, but not a single winged
female.

With two exceptions all the specimens of this species in the
Museum series were taken on roe deer at Whatcombe, Blandford
Dorset, between September 19th and October 26th, 1895, and
presented by the late Mr. J. C. Mansel-Plexdell. Besides these
there are also a male from the same locality, taken on October 17th,
1895, on a horse after passing through hazel-bushes in Houghton
\\'ood, which is frequented by roe deer (J. C. Mauscl-PlcydcH) ; and
another male from Stoke Edith, Herefordshire, caught by Colonel
Yerbury, on October nth, 1897, on his own neck, after passing
through Stoke Edith Park, in which there are fallow deer. A
winged male figured by Curtis (' British Entomology,' 1824) under
the name HiEviobora pallipcs, is said to ha\e been taken in the
New Forest, Hants, about the middle of September. 1822, on the
clothes of a Mr. J. Chant.

Lipoptcmi ccji'i doubtless occurs throughout ICuroiJC, and closely
allied species are found in other parts of the world. In
February, 1901, a specimen of L. a-ti'i was taken by Mr. P. S.
Stammwitz, near Johannesburg, Transvaal, under circumstances
pointing to the possibility that it had been introduced into South Africa
\\ ith remounts durintr the South African War.

67

Genus

MELOPHAGUS, Latreille.

Melophagus ovinus, Linn.

The Sheep " Tick," Slieep " Louse," or Ked.
Plate 34, Fig. 2.

A higher degree of adaptation to a parasitic existence is exhibited
by this species than by any of the foregoing members of the Family
to which it belongs, since the wings are always entirely wanting in
both sexes. This peculiarity, coupled with the general strangeness
of its appearance, which presents little resemblance to an ordinary fl\',
and the fact that it passes its whole life-c\-cle in the wool of the sheep,
has gained for the insect two of the popular names mentioned above.
The late Miss Ormerod (' Report of the Observations of Injurious
Insects and Common Farm Pests, during the year 1895 ' (London :
Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co., Ltd., 1896), p. 120) states
that " when seen in the wool " Sheep Ticks " greatly resemble small
spiders," though, of course, the presence of onl}- three pairs of legs is
sufficient to show that the creatures must be insects. The Sheep Tick
does not possess the activity of the Forest Fly, but moves quite slowl}'
and quietly through the wool of the host, to which, when not in
excessive numbers, it may cause little annoyance. Dr. Parry, however
(quoted by Youatt in 'The Mountain Shepherd's Manual' (1862),
p. 35), says that JSIclopIiagus oviniis'' is extremely injurious to sheep,
by making the animal bite and rub itself, so as not only to hurt the
fleece, but to break the skin, in consequence of which the fl}' [Luci/ia
sericata, Mg.] is apt to fi.x on the wool near the wounded spot and
there deposit its eggs."

The Sheep Ticks in the Museum collection were taken during May
and June, i.e., at shearing-time, but Curtis belie\-es that the insect is to

68

be found all the year round, since he had received specimens as early
as March.

Like the Sheep Bot-fly {Gistnis oti's, Linn.) the Sheep Tick
has been carried about the world with its host. Recentlj' the Museum
has received a series of specimens of this species (with pupa-cases) from
Pecos Canon, New Mexico, taken and presented by Dr. M. Grabham,
in June, 1903.

INDEX.

Ague in Great Britain, disappearance of, not dependent on extinction of mos-
quitoes, but probably due to several causes, 21.

Anopheles, a genus of Culicidiu : .1. bifurcatus (plate 3), distribution of, ]y ;
A. mancUfennis, the Spotted CJnat (plate 4), widely distributed and blood-
sucking in Great Britain, 20; A. iiigripcs {^^\^Xft 2), distribution of, 18;
sometimes found indoors, 1 9 ; distribution of ague dependent mainly on
jmme?-ical distribution of Anopheles, 22.

Atylotus, a genus of Tabanida; : A.fulvus (plate 18), among the rarer of
British Horse-flies, description of, 44 ; specimens in Museum only from
Hampshire and Kenmare, 44 ; continental distribution, 44 ; A. rustinis,
.even rarer than A. fulviis, distinguished by greyer tint of short hair
covering body, 45 ; only one modern British example in Museum from
N.E. Essex, 45.

BLOOD-stJCKiNG flies among British Diptera, some 74 species found in only
six families, 1 2.

Breeze-flies, popular name sometimes applied to Tabanidie, 31.

Brimps, popular name in Kent for species of Hrematopota, 31.

Ceratopogon, a genus of ChironomidK : divisions lately introduced by
Kieffer, 14 (note).

Chironomid.e (Midges): British blood-sucking forms belong to genus
Ceratopogon ; about 50 indigenous species, only a few of these known to
suck blood, annoyance caused by and description of, 13; C. pidicaris
(plate I, fig. 2), prevalent in certain localities in England in 1904, figure
of in resting position, 15 ; distinguished from C. variiis, 16; C. varius
(plate I, fig. i), minuteness and range of, 14.

70

Chrvsoi'S, a genus of Tabanidae : C. caciilicns (plate 26), striking sexual
difference in coloration and marking of abdomen, beauty of eyes,
British specimens in Museum, 5,5 ; in ICngland, commonest species of
genus, not plentiful in Scotland, 54 ; almost silent in approach, thus
differing from Tabanus, continental specimens in .Museum, 54 ;
C. qiiadrata (plate 27), differences between male and female, 54; rare
generally in Britain, continental specimens in Museum, 55 ; C. relicta
(plate 28), distinguished from C. aeciitiein, description of, common and
generally distributed in Great Britain, continental specimens in Museum,
55 ; C. sepukralis, rare in British islands, only three specimens in
Museum, description of, continental distribution, 56.

Ci.Kcs, ])0[)ular name for species of Tabanidx, 31.

CocciD.E (scale-insects), clistinguishctl from gall-midges (Diptera), 11.

ClTLEX, a genus of ('ulicidas : C. cantain (plate 6), not very common in
Great Britain, 24; C. nemorosiis (plate 7), common in England, not seen
in houses or out-buildings, range of, 25 : C. pipiots, the Common Gnat,
(plate 8), common in Great Britain, in houses practically throughout the
year, 25 ; often found in winter on roofs of cellars, a troublesome blood-
sucker, geographical range, 26.

CuLiciD.E (gnats or mosquitoes), twenty-two J5ritish species, Ik^v distin-
guished from certain midges, 17 ; blood-sucking habit confined to female
sex in British mosquitoes, 17; i)reliminary stages of development, 17, iS;
British mos([uitoes beside those illustrated, 18.

Cui.iroiDKs, a genus of Chironomid:;;, revived by l\.icffer to include Cemto-
pogon varius, C. puUcaris, and other species of ("eratopogon, 14 (note).

Dark surfaces, predilection of various blood-sucking Diptera {Anopheles,
Hcemaiopafa, Lypcrosia) for resting thereon, 60, Oi.

DiPTKRA, chief characteristics of, 11 ; fifty-nine families recognised as British
in W-rrall's ' List,' 11 ; 2700-_^ooo liritish species, 12.

DuN-Ki.iKS, popular name for species of TabanidiU, 31.

"Flies," meaning of term, 11; blood-sucking habit in only six British
families, 12.

Gad-I'LIEs, popular name fretjucntly applied to Tabanida!, 31.

71

Grabhamia, a genus of Culicidas ; G. dorsalis (plate 9), most handsome of
British mosquitoes, characteristics of, found as a rule in the southern
counties, 26 ; known on the Suffolk coast as the ' Norway Mosquito,'
severity and virulence of its bite, 27.

H.€MATOBiA, a genus of Muscidce : H. stimulans (plate 33, fig. i) in habits,
time of occurrence, and extent of distribution in British Isles, similar to
Sfomoxys cakitraiis, but head much smaller and palpi more prominent,
59, 60 ; wide range of distribution in British Isles ; no specimen in
Museum from other localities, 60.

H.EMATOPOTA, a genus of Tabanida; : individuals sometimes very abundant,
36 ; H. crassicornis (plate 12) closely resembles H. pluvialis, but darker,
35, varying size of, common in many localities, less troublesome in
Scotland, 36 ; H. ifa/ica, distinguished by pale femora, and longer
antennoe, rarer and more local than other indigenous species, 36, doubt-
fully common in Austria, 37 ; H. pluvialis (plate 11), very common and
generally distributed, 35.

Harvest-buc (Lep/i/s antum/ialis), figure of; swellings caused by, apt to be
mistaken for bites of midges or of gnats, 16.

HiPPOBOSCA, a genus of Hippoboscidrc : II. equina, the Forest Fly (plate 31),
found principally in the New Forest, clustering like bees on the ponies
and cattle, bite not painful, Ijut the movements of the insect often irritate
animals, 63 ; found also in Dorsetshire and 'Wales, occurs throughout
Europe and in many other distant localities, 64.

HippoBOSCin.t:, a family of Uiptera, parasitic upon mammals and birds, some
fully wmged, others wingless ; resemblance to tsetse-flies in proboscis and
mode of reproduction, 62 ; two species found on and in the nests of the
house-martin and swift ; doubtful whether any species sucks human
blood, 63.

' HoRN-i-Lv,' name given in United States to lyperosia tri-itans, also termed
Hamatobia serrata, 61.

Horse-flies, popular name for 'I'abanidre, 31.

Ked, popular name for Melophagus ovinus, 67.

Leptus autumnalis (harvest-bug), figure of; swellings caused by, apt to be
mistaken for bites of midges or of gnats, 16.

LiPOi'TKNA, a genus of HippoboscicUx; : /-. (•tv?'/ (plates 33 and 34) parasitic on
several species of deer, in Great Britain chiefly on the roe, both sexes
sometimes wingless, 65 ; differences between winged and wingless males ;
nearly all specimens in Museum from roe deer in 1 )orset : occurs
throughout Europe, one specimen found in 'l'rans\-;ud, 66.

T.YPKROSiA, a genus of Muscidrc : Z. irritans (plate 30, fig. 2) the smallest of
native blood-sucking Muscidx', a pest of cattle, especially of black
animals, does not attack liuman beings, 60 : uncommon in British Isles :
closely allied species found in Ceylon : L. irritans generally distributed
throughout Europe, the United States and Eastern Canada ; in the
U.S.A. termed the ' Horn-fly,' from habit of clustering about base of
horns; also known as Hainatobia st'rra/a : in Italy attacks horses as
well as cattle, 61.

Meloi'HAuus, a genus of Hippoboscidiii : M. oviniis, the sheep ' tick,' sheep
Mouse' or ' ked ' (plate 34, fig. 2), wings completely wanting in both
sexes ; whole life-cycle passed in wool of .sheep : as thus seen the insects
greatly resemble small spiders : may injure sheep by causing them to
bite and rub themselves, thus producing a wound which attracts fly
(Liicilia sericata), 67 ; found at all seasons, and recently met with in New
Mexico, 68.

Musciii.K, a family of I)i[)tcra. containing three British blood-sucking species,
nearly allied to common house-fly and to African tsetse- flies. Blood-
sucking habit exceptional and confined to very t'ew genera and species,
but common to both sexes, 57. Blood-sucking Muscida; (tsetse-flies
excepted) l)rced in dung, eggs developing into wiiite maggots, 57.

'NokWAV Mc)sgrn'0," term applied at .Mdeburgh to Grahluimia dormlis, 27.

NuTiAi.i,, Cobbett, and Strangeways-I'igg on Aiiopheks and ague in Great
Britain, 21, 22.

Okni riioMViA, a genus of Hippoboscidiv: O.oviat/oria (plate 32) distributed
throughout British island.s, infesting various birds, 64 ; variations in size
and coloration ; carried by birds all over the world : in New Soutli
^\'a]es and Tasmania parasitic on wallabies, 65.

'Shkki' tick,' 'sheep louse' or ' ked,' terms applied to Melophagiis (minus,
67.

73

SiMULiD^, a family of Diptera consisting of the single genus Simulium,
universally distributed, 28 ; often causes great losses among various
animals, especially in United States and Hungary ; description and pre-
liminary stages, 28 ; S. hirtipes, a biting pest in Scotland, 30 ; 5. reptans
(plate 10), a northern species, description of, 29 ; distribution of, 30.

Spotted Gnat (plate 4), otherwise known as Anopheles macnlipoinis, 20.

StoiMOXvs, a genus of Muscida; : 6'. calcitrans (plate 29) similar in size to
house-fly, but distinguished by proboscis, common in Great Britain,
plagues both men and cattle, 58 ; its bite and that of Hamatobia
sfimulans more painful to some persons than that of any other fly ;
cattle and horses severely bitten in Northumberland in 1865, 59; geo-
graphical range very wide, 59.

Stouts, popular name for species of Tabanidse, 31.

Tabanid.b (Horse-flies, Breeze-flies, Dun-flies, Clegs, and Stouts, frequently
called Gad-flies), a family of Diptera, most formidable in appearance of
all blood-sucking flies ; world-wide distribution, twentj'-two recognised
species in Great Britain, general appearance, 31 ; common in summer in
country places, 32 ; large as well as small animals severely affected in
many countries, 2ii '1 petroleum used in Russia for destruction, 2,1 ;
description of eggs and larvse, latter carnivorous ; Tabanidse some-
times preyed upon by robber-flies, 34.

Tabanus, a genus of Tabanida; : T. aiilumnalis (plates 21 and 22), striking
sexual difference in marking and coloration of abdomen, 48 ; in South
of England one of commonest species of the genus, continental dis-
tribution, 48; T. bovinus (plate 19), with T. sudetkits the bulkiest of all
British Diptera, 45 ; distinguished from T. sudeticus, 45, 46 ; British
specimens in Museum all from Southern counties, continental specimens,
habits, 46 ; T. bromiiis (plate 23), common in South of England, easily
recognised, dimensions of, British specimens in Museum, 49 ; distri-
bution throughout Europe, 50 ; T. cordiger (plate 25), usually rare, but
plentiful in Abernethy Forest, Inverness-shire, 51 ; continental distri-
bution, 52 ; j; glaucopis, no British examples in Museum, description of,
continental specimens, 52 : T. maciilicornis (plate 24), distinguishing
characters of, smallest of the British species of Zl, 50 ; very common in
South of England, British and continental specimens in Museum, 51 ;

74

T. sudeticus (plate 20), localities and dates of British specimens in
Museum, 47 ; found throughout luiroiJC, habits, 48.

Theobai.dia, a genus of Culicidre : T. aiiuulata (plate 5), one of the largest of
mosquitoes, common in Great Britain at all seasons, hibernates in sheds,
cellars, etc., severe effects of bite of, 23 ; can subsist on a vegetable diet,
at Weston-super-Mare sometimes spoken of as the " ^\"ood Gnat," 23, 24.

Theriopi-ECTES, a genus of Tabanidre : Th. Iwrealis, description of, very
few specimens in Museum, 38, 39 ; geographical distribution, 39 ;
Th. luridus (plate 15), darker than Th. mo/i/aniis, description of, 40;
distribution of, in the British Islands, apparently a northern species, 41 i
Th. ;«/(-a:/« (plate 13), description of, legs entirely black, thus distinguished
from /lisfgnafi/s form of Th. trophiis, 37 ; very rare in Great Britain,
no modern British specimens in Museum, 38 ; Th. monfanus (plate 14),
considerable difference between sexes, 39 ; essentially a Scotch and
Irish species, 39; distribution in Europe, 40; Th. sohtitialis (plate 17),
most brightly coloured of the larger British Tabanidae, very common, and
generally distributed in Great Britain, 43 ; continental distribution, 43 ;
Th. tropicus (form bisignatus, plate 1 6), the common British form of the
female of this species, description of, 41, resembles Th. micans, British
specimens in Museum only from England, continental specimens, 42.

Woon Gnat, popular name sometimes given at Weston-super-Mare to
Thcobaldia annulafa, 24.

PLATE 1

Fic;. I. Ceratopogon varius (Female)

Fig. 2. Ceratopogon pulicaris (Female)

PLATE 2

Anopheles nigripes (Female)

PLATE 3

Anopheles bifurcatus (Female)

PLATE 4

Anopheles maculipennis (Female)
THE SPOTTED GNAT

PLATE 5

Theobaldia annulata (Female)

PLATE 6

Ciilex cantans fFemale";

PLATE 7

Culex nemorosus (Female)

PLATE 8

Culex pipiens (Female)
THE COMMON GNAT

PLATE 9

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Grabhamia dorsalis (Female)

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PLATE 11

Fu;. 1. Haematopota pluvialis (Male)

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Fig. 2. Haematopota pluvialis (Female)

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PLATE 12

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PLATE 26

Fig. I. Chrysops caecutiens (Male)

Fig. 2. Chry.sops caecutiens (Female)

PLATE 27

Chrysops quadrata (Female)

PLATE 28

Chrysops relicta (Female)

PLATE 29

Stomoxys calcitrans (Female)

PLATE 30

Fig. I. Haematobia stimulans (Female)

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Fig. 2. Lyperosia irritans (Female)

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THE FOREST FLY .

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PLATE 34

Fig. I. Lipoptena cervi (Female)

Fig. 2. Melophagus ovimis (Female)
THE SHEEP "TICK," OR KED

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