PHYLUM ARTHROPODA 



359 



worms and other pests. The fruit-flies are abundant ilies and 

 easily reared. 



The bot-flies (GEsxRiD^) are responsible for large losses every 

 year because of their attacks on domestic animals. The horse 

 bot-fly, Gastrophilus equi (Fig. 294), fastens 

 her eggs to the hair on the legs or shoulders of 

 horses. The larvae, which are licked off and 

 swallowed, attach themselves to the lining of 

 the stomach, where they live until ready to 

 pupate. They then pass out of the alimen- 

 tary canal. Other common members of this 

 family are the ox-u'arble, the larvae of which FlG - 2 s- -- Order 



. DIPTERA. Sheep-tick, 



rum the hides of cattle by boring through u e i pkagus ovinus. 

 the skin, the sheep bot-fly, which lives in (From Sedgwk-k's 

 the nostrils of sheep, and the rabbit bot-fly. 



The flower-flies (SYRPHID^E) live on nectar and pollen and 

 are therefore found near flowers. The larvae feed on other in- 

 sects or on vegetable matter. 

 The drone-fly, Eristalis tcna.\\ 

 resembles a drone honey-bee. 

 The suborder PUPIPARA 

 contains parasitic insects, in- 

 cluding bird, sheep, and horse 

 ticks, and bee-lice. The 

 sheep-tick, Melophagus ovinus 

 (Fig. 295), and the horse-tick, 

 Hippobosca equina, are com- 

 mon species. 



Order 17. Siphonaptera. 

 -FLEAS (Fig. 296). Degen- 

 erate insects without wings; 

 sucking mouth-parts; meta- 

 morphosis complete. 



The fleas live among the hairs or feathers of domestic and 

 wild mammals and birds. Their bodies are laterally compressed, 



FIG. 296. Order SIPHONAPTERA. Cat 

 and dog flea, Ctenocephalus canis. a, egg. 

 b, larva in cocoon, c, pupa, d, adult. 

 (From Howard, Circ. 108, Bur. Ent., 

 U. S. Dep't Agric.) 



