Miller. — Bionomic Observations on New Zealand Diptera. 231 



Melanostoma fasciatum. (Plate XXIX, fig. 3.) 



Common ; usually to be observed from January to April. I found 

 no specimens at Taieri Mouth at the beginning of 1907, but they were 

 abundant at and round about Dunedin during January 1908. A large 

 number were captured amongst long grass and upon rushes growing in 

 swamp exposed to the sun. 



Series CYCLORRHAPHA SCHIZOPHORA. 



Division 1.— MUSCID^ CALYPTRAT^. 



Fam. (EsTRiD^. 



Gasterophilus haemorrhoidalis (Bot-fly, introduced). 



During February (1909) I observed a large swarm hovering about a 

 yoimg horse, attacking the animal at the knees and sides, and, as they 

 flew about the place upon which they wished to alight, they would sud- 

 denly dart in and out, each time coming into contact with the horse's 

 flesh. 



Fam. Tachinid^. 



This is an extensive family, the members varying more or less in size ; 

 they abomid in various situations, some in barren localities, others upon 

 the inflorescences and leaves of plants ; they are parasitic, at certain stages 

 of development, upon the larvse of other insects, thus being invaluable 

 factors in the destruction of injurious species. 



Macquartia subtilis. 



Not common. This species was captured on a hillside near the bush 

 at Taieri Mouth one very sunny day in December (1907). 



Calcager turbidum. 



A single specimen was captured amongst long grass in the evening, at 

 Roslyn, February (1909), and another on the sandhills at Ocean Beach 

 during May of the same year. 



Hystricia lupina. 



Very common on the tree-trunks of the bush at Taieri Mouth, Decem- 

 b(r (1907), but I only found a single specimen on a flax-leaf at Tomahawk, 

 October (1908). 



Hystricia pachyprocta. 



Captured in large numbers, together with the preceding, at Taieri 

 Mouth, December (1907). I obtained another specimen at Mount Cargill, 

 FeTaruary (1909). 



Occisor versutus. 



Not common. I have only a single specimen, which was captured on 

 Mount Cargill during February (1909). 



Proscissio cana. 



Not common. Specimens captured diu'ing December (1908) at Bare- 

 wood, Central Otago. 



