THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST 35 



NOTES ON SOMESYRPHID^ (DIPTERA) COLLECTED IN ENGLAND 



AND FRANCE DURING 1917-18. 



r. HOWARD CURRAN, 

 Vineland Sta., Ont. 



While on military service in Europe a few opportunities for the collection 

 of insects occurred. Such opportunities were not anticipated, and as a result, 

 all the insects taken were captured in the hand, a not very satisfactory, and 

 certainly a \ery disappointing method in so far as the collector is concerned. 

 However, some thirty-six species of Syrphidae have been determined, and it is 

 interesting to note that several of these are considered by Verrall (British Flies, 

 \'ol. VIII) to be rather scarce in England. 



Unfortunately the specimens collected in France, with the exception of b 

 very few, were lost, due to unforeseen circumstances. They were packed away 

 in cotton wool in a tobacco tin, and when my kit arrived from France it was 

 found that all tobacco, including all tins, had been confiscated by my brother 

 officers. Evidently some smoker received a huge surprise. 



Naturally, conditions in Europe and America are vastly dilYerent as regards 

 collecting. Kent and Sussex, England, I found to be ideal collecting grounds, 

 and many "perfect" localities were found. About twenty acres of flowering 

 shrubs and flowers, dotted with ponds and surrounded by woods, at Horsham, 

 Sussex, furnished most of the specimens collected. At Cuckfield, (near Hay- 

 ward's Heath), a slashing, with young willows in bloom, was to be found in 

 Diptera. At Hythe, an open woods (out of bounds), in which many flowers 

 were growing proved to be a good place for Syrphids. Less favourable localities 

 were found in other parts of England and Ireland; no collecting was done in 

 Scotland, although observations were made. 



In France all the collecting was done about a mile from the coast, near 

 Estaples, in an old shrubbery and a strip of wood adjoining a marsh. Many 

 flies, especially belonging to the Syrphini, were observed on the edges of the 

 trenches, even where gas was used freely. Syrphus halteatus was one of these. 



General observations seemed to indicate a larger number of common species 

 and a greater abundance of insect life in general. 



Two of the genera collected do not occur in North America, and both are 

 very interesting connecting forms. These are marked with af. Those marked 

 with an asterisk occur in Canada. 



Microdon sp. I note a single specimen taken at Le Touquette, France, 

 in June, 1918, because the specimens belonging to the genus are not at all com- 

 mon. It was taken on currant leaves in a narrow strip of woods. 



Fipizella virens Fabr. Two females, Horsham, Sussex, early June, on 

 leaves of low-growing plants. 



Chilosia illhistrata Harris. A single male taken at Cuckfield, Sus.sex, late 

 May, in a slashing with young willows growing. The flies were fairly common, 

 sunning on dried leaves on the ground. 



Chilosia albipila Meig. Four specimens taken in the same place as the 

 preceding, and also on willow blossoms 



* Chilosia variabilis Panzer. Two females taken at Horsham, Sussex, early 

 June, 1918, sunning on leaves. 



February, 1920 



