506 Tachinidae. 



bores out of the host larva at the end of June, pupates in the ground, 

 where it hibernates and develops in May next year, Although the 

 species isvery similar to rudis it is no doubt distinct,which is confirmed 

 by the faet that the posterior larval spiracles are of quite another 

 shape. 



Geographical distribution: — Hitherto known from northern 

 and middle Europe down into France and Belgium; towards the 

 north into Sweden (Stein). The species is probably commonly con- 

 fused with rudis, thus Brauer mentions under this species that crossing 

 apical scutellar bristles are often wanting, and he gives the length 

 down to 8 mm ; I therefore think that minor is included in the descrip- 

 tion. 



117. Meriania R. D. 



Species of robust, somewhat broad shape and medium size; 

 colour blackish brown, with red spots on sides of abdomen in male. 

 The genus is in the main respects similar to Ernestia. Head fully as 

 broad as thorax, convex behind and puffed out below, higher than 

 long. Frons in male narrow, in female broad, rather protruding. In 

 male no bristles, in female ocellar, inner vertical and two orbital 

 bristles. Behind postocular bristles downwards some black hairs. 

 Frontal bristles reaching below insertion of antennæ, all crossing, 

 in female an outwards directed above. Cheeks with fme hairs. Vi- 

 brissæ not ascending, only some bristles above the large vibrissa; 

 vibrissal angle somewhat above lower margin of epistoma. Eyes with 

 longish hairs. Epistoma somewhat retreating, hollowed but not 

 prominent below. Oral cone and proboscis not long, labella some- 

 what large, oval. Antennæ inserted above middle of the eye, third 

 joint a little longer than second; arista with second joint short. 

 Thorax nearly quadratic; four postsutural dorsocentrals and generally 

 one præ- and one or two postsutural acrostichals; no præsutural 

 intraalar bristle. Scutellum with five marginal bristles on each side, 

 the apical small or very small, crossing. Two sternopleural bristles 

 (rarely three). Abdomen broadly oval; sternites not concealed; there 

 are discai and marginal bristles, second segment with a pair of mar- 

 ginal. Genitalia somewhat large, constructed as in Ernestia, arms of 

 lower forceps with a scale-like piece at base. Legs with claws and 

 pulvilli in male strongly elongated; in female front tarsi with the 

 four last joints well dilated. Wings with discai angle a little acute 

 v^ithout or with a short veinlet; no costal spine. 



