2 INSECUTOR INSCITI^ MENSTRUUS 



pears to have been based upon differences in coloring, princi- 

 pally of the legs, which have since been shown to occur in the 

 one species. 



Pegomyia hyoscyami appears to be widely distributed in 

 North America. In the East it occurs at least as far south 

 as the city of Washington ; in the West it ranges well down 

 into southern California, occurring probably wherever the 

 sugar beet is cultivated. Western specimens are before me 

 from Colorado, San Mateo County, California, Monterey, 

 California, and Oxnard, Ventura County, California. 



Hydrotaea meteorica Linne. 



A series of this species, taken in Montana, was sent for 

 identification in 1914 by Prof. R. A. Cooley. The specimens 

 agree closely with European specimens from the vicinity of 

 Berlin and with others of uncertain age from Colorado, de- 

 termined by Coquillett as this species. Recently specimens 

 have come to hand taken by Prof. W. B. Bell at Neche, North 

 Dakota, August 10, 1915. 



Professor Cooley stated that in Montana the species is 

 abundant and troublesome to cattle. Little appears to have 

 been published concerning its habits. Linnaeus noted, in con- 

 nection with the original description, that the flies swarm about 

 the mouths of horses just before a storm and the specific name 

 was evidently given in allusion to this habit. De Geer de- 

 scribed the fly as Musca vaccarum and has the following ob- 

 servation on the habits : 



"These little flies, which are of the size and figure of small 

 house-flies, would not merit being distinguished from the many 

 other species which also partake of sombre colors, black or 

 brown, if one did not see them fly in such large numbers in 

 the month of July and if they were not so annoying to men 

 and beasts. It is they which then flutter in great swarms about 

 the heads of horses and horned cattle, seeking ceaselessly to 

 enter their eyes and ears, to nourish themselves with the 

 moisture found there, in such fashion that they torment them 

 continuously without allowing them the least repose. Persons 



