360 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



present in Megarhinus, the sheath or labium is strongly chitinized and rigid, 

 which is not Ihe case with the blood-sucking forms. 



The papataci flies (Phlebotomus) of the Maltese Islands, R. Newstead 

 (Bill. Ent. licscarch, 2 (1911), No. J, pp. .'il-7S, plfi. 3, fir/-'<. J'J). — In this report 

 of investigations conducted by the author during a 2 months' trip to the island 

 of Malta, he discusses the habits and occurrence of the adult flies, breeding 

 ]ilaces, seasonal prevalence, prophylactic measures, etc., also the classification 

 of the genus Phlebotomus. Two species are described as new to science. 



Preliminary report on the life histories of 2 species of Syrphidse, C. L. 

 Metcalf (Ohio Nat., 11 {1911), No. 7, pp. 337-3.>ift, pis. 3).— Studies on the life 

 history of Didca fusoipcft and Syrphus torvus are here reported, together with 

 technical descriptions of the larval, pupal, and adult stages. 



" The larviie of D. fuscipes live in the colonies of the large aphid, Longistigma 

 {Lachnns) caryw wiiich api^ear so abundantly in fall on the under sides of the 

 lower horizontal branches of the sycamore (Platmius occidental is). I have 

 also found the larvae on a basswood tree (Tilia americana) affected with these 

 plant lice. They are apparently closely restricted in food habits to the body 

 fluids of this one kind of aphid and may be expected wherever L. caryw occurs 

 with any regularity." 



The autunm generation of larvfe of S. torvus appears on cabbage affected by 

 plant lice, usually during the latter half of September, becoming abundant from 

 the first to the middle of October. The food of the larvse usually consists of 

 the body juices of the cal^ljage plant louse {Aphis hrassiccp) . The author has 

 also found the larviO of this species on sycamore, feeding on L, caryce. 



The house fly, disease carrier, L. O. Howakd {New York, 1911, pp. XIX + 

 312, pis. 28). — The main part of this work consists of 5 chapters devoted 

 respectively to the zoological position, life history, and habits of the typhoid 

 fly; its natural enemies; the carriage of disease by flies; remedies and preven- 

 tive measures; and other flies frequenting houses. The work concludes with a 

 bibliographical list of 12 pages and 5 appendixes. 



Transmission of tuberculosis by flies, P. Jacob and M. Klopstock {Tuber- 

 culosis, 9 {1910), No. 11, pp. Jt96-5t0, figs. 2; abs. i<)i Intcrnat. Oenibl. Oesom. 

 Tuberkulose Forsch., 5 {1911), No. 3, p. 125). — The authors discuss the relation 

 of flies to the transmission of tuberculosis, particularly from animal to haan, 

 in rural districts. As a preventive for this they recommend a thorough 

 disinfection of the bams, stables, etc. 



Lucilia sericata as a household pest, A. P. Morse {Psyche, 18 {1911), No. 

 2, pp. 89-92, fig. 1). — Flies, which developed in a dead squirrel in a chimney, 

 gained entrance through a fireplace and were the source of great annoyance 

 for a period of several weeks. 



The parasites of the olive fly in Tunis, P. Maechal {Conipt. Rend. Acad. 

 Sci. [Paris], 152 {1911), No. 4, pp. 215-218, figs. 3).— During the course of 

 studies in Tunis the author found 2 chalcidid {Eulophus pectinicornis and 

 Eupelmus urozonus) and a braconid {Opius concolor) parasites of the olive 

 fly, Dacus olece. The chalcidid parasites occur in southern Europe but the 

 braconid, which plays an important part in cheeking the multiplication of the 

 olive fly, is recorded for the first time as a parasite of this pest and is also 

 the first internal parasite of the olive fly to be discovered. Attempts are being 

 made to establish this parasite in Europe. 



The destruction of fleas by exposure to the sun, J. Cunningham {Sci. 

 Mem. Med. and Sanit. Depts. India, n. ser., 1911, No. 40, pp. 27, figs. 3). — The 

 experiments here reported have led the author to the following conclusions : 



" The pulicidal power of the sun appears to be chiefly due to the amount of 

 heat which it gives off. The fate of the fleas, which escape from clothes ex- 



