88 



(J. O'Kinealy). Gambia : precise locality uncertain, March, 1908 

 {Dr. T. Hood, S.M.O.). 



According to Mr. G. C. Dudgeon, the eyes of Tabanus higuttatus 

 in life are dark brown, Mrs, H, Zurcher, writing from Mozambique, 

 notes that the species is able to bite freely through all clothes ; in 

 the Shire Highlands, Nyasaland Protectorate, in February, 1905, 

 Dr, J. E. S. Old found T. higuttatus apparently feeding on sable 

 antelope {Hippotragus niger, Harris), and there can be no doubt 

 that it attacks big game and domestic animals of all kinds. 



With reference to this species in Lorenzo Marques, Mr. F. D. 

 McMillan writes as follows : — " Native name Imvu Bowu. Hippo fly : 

 caught and seen in great numbers on the banks of large rivers, and 

 on boats and sails. Apparently bites only in the evening and night. 

 By day flies with a distinct low hum ; at sunset and on through the 

 night flies absolutely silently, like a bat. Hovers about one inch 

 from the person whom it is attacking, and quietly settles. Although 

 so large, one does not feel it alight ; nothing is felt until it flies away, 

 when there is a sharp smart, followed by intense irritation lasting 

 some hours ; this gradually passes off, leaving a pink spot (on Euro- 

 peans, a grey spot on Kaffirs). If care be not taken to prevent the place 

 from getting scratched or burnt by the sun, a nasty festering sore 

 results : three or four bites will quite upset a native, and apparently 

 take all his strength from him. The Imvu occurs all through the 

 year, but is most troublesome from December to February." 



The following interesting account by Mr. Harold H. King of the 

 habits and life-history of Tabanus higuttatus, as observed by him 

 in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, is taken from the recently published 

 Third Report of the Wellcome Research Laboratories.'*' 



" The adults," writes Mr. King, " may usually be found resting 

 on the trunks and larger branches of trees. Males appear to be more 

 plentiful than females. On the approach of cattle, the latter dart 

 off and attack them, but were rarely seen to follow them for any 

 distance. Both sexes are very wary, and are not easily captured. 



* Third Report of the Wellcome Research Laboratories, at the Gordon Memorial 

 College, Khartoum, 1909. Pp. 21.3, 214, "Report on Economic Entomology," by 

 Harold H. King. PI. XXV., figs. 1, 5, 6, 8, 9 (egg-batch on stem of grass, larvae, and 

 details of larval structure). 



