374 GNATS OR MOSQUITOES — CHAPTER XITI 



Note. — The original descriptions are not only inadequate but mis- 

 leading, and owing to this it has been re-described as a distinct species 

 by almost every naturalist who has devoted special attention to the 

 family. Added to this it varies greatly, not only in size but in coloration, 

 but it can always be recognised by the peculiar lyre-shaped decoration 

 of the thorax, drawn in thicker lines than in any similarly decorated 

 species, and by the broad banding of the hind feet. Mr. Theobald 

 describes two varieties in addition to the typical species, viz., var. 

 Lucieiisis, characterised by the last hind tarsal having a black tip — a 

 peculiarity' I have seen on occasional Indian specimens, as well as in 

 those from St. Lucia, while from Antigua I have found both mixed in 

 a single consigmnent of specimens. C. 7nosquito, Desv., nee Arribiil., 

 is said to have only the lateral curved marks present on the thorax 

 and var. S. Queenslandiensis has the mid lobe of the scutellum purple 

 scaled, and the apices as well as the bases of the abdominal segment 

 white. Specimens hatched out, however, from the same tank vary so 

 much inter se, that I doubt the advantage of giving special varietal 

 names to individuals exhibiting some one or other peculiarity. 



5. STEGOMYIA SCUTELLARIS (Walker.) 



= C. albojnctus, Skuse = C. variegatus (Dol.) 



Plate xiv, fig. 4, Venation of wing ; fig. 5, Head and thorax of $ . 



(Journ. Proc. Linn. See. Lend, iii, p. 77 (1859), Wlk. ; Indian Museum 



Notes, iii, 5, p. 20, Skuse {= C. albopictus) ; Natuurkundig, Tijdschr. 



v. Ned. Ind. xvii, p. 77, Doleschall.) 



Veins of wings uniformly, and densely black-scaled. Ilind 

 tarsal joints exactly as in -S. fasciata ; fore and mid tarsi with 

 narrow basal bands to the two first joints only. Thorax nearly 

 black with a conspicuous broad median snowy Ime (which is con- 

 tinued over the head). Abdominal segments sooty, with very 

 narrow, basal snowy bands, broadening externally, especially on 

 fourth and fifth segments, where they form distinct lateral patches. 

 Proboscis, unhanded black. 



$ . — Head with two patches of dark scales on each side, separating 

 broad median and lateral patches of sUvery scales, which form a bright 

 spot in front, and with silvery orbits ; antennse dark brown, faintly paler 

 l)anded at the joints, with a tuft of silvery scales on the basal joints, 

 forming two distinct spots; palpi black with a silvery white apical joint; 

 proboscis black. Palpi of S slif,'htly longer tlian the proboscis, black, 

 with four snowy bands, the two outer of wliicli are incomplete. Scutel- 

 lum bordered with white scales ; pleurte with numerous snowy patches. 

 Halteres with pale stems and fuscous knobs. Legs intensely black, 

 with white knee-spots as well as the above-mentioned tarsal adornment. 

 Tarsal claws of ? untoothed ; of ^ very unsyiumetrical, the large outer 

 claws alone with extra tooth on fore and mid legs, simple and equal on 

 hind. Length. — About 4-5 mm., varies a good deal in size. 



