^72 Syrphidae. 



markings mainly as in the male, the fifth segment marked as the 

 fom'th. Legs paler, the apex of femora more broadly yellow, anterior 

 tibiæ with only apex black and middle tarsi generally yellow at 

 the base. 



Length 10— 14 mm. 



As seen this species varies somewhat, especially with regard to 

 the markings on thorax and the colour of the legs, and also in size; 

 the Danish specimens come nearest to the darker form described by 

 Schiner as nigrotarsatus ', in southern regions the species varies much 

 more, the legs being yellow to a high degree and the markings on thorax 

 exaggerated; the design on thorax then may show some resemblance 

 to a "Death's head", which induced Rondani to give the generic name 

 derived from fxuTa arpoTzoq. 



M. florea is common in Denmark; Copenhagen, Ordrup Mose, 

 Ermelund, Dyrehaven, Hareskov, Donse, Tyvekrog, Frerslev Hegn, 

 Tisvilde, at Sorø, Slagelse and Thureby; on Lolland at Maribo and 

 in Kældskov; on Funen at Veflinge and Middelfart; in Jutland at 

 Horsens and on the little island Endelave, at Frijsenborg, Hald near 

 Viborg and Rebbild near Skørping. My dates are ^^k—^^^ls. It occurs 

 especially near water and frequents various Umbelliferæ, The larva 

 was found in Bøllemosen on '^'^U in a tree-stub with water, it developed 

 on ^^/5 (Schlick), and pupæ (or larvæ) were taken in Hareskov, like- 

 wise in a tree-stub with water, on ^7^' ^^^ ^^ ^ ^'^^^ on */5, they 

 developed on ^^/s and ^'^h-, (Kryger). 



Geographical distribution:— All Europe, Syria, northern Africa 

 and on the Ganaries; towards the north to northern Sweden, and in 

 Finland. 



32. Mallota Meig. 



Also this genus is nearly related to Eristalis and Helophihis. The 

 species are large and somewhat Eristalis-Wke, with a black, unspotted 

 abdomen, or with only slight spots. They are densely pilose, either 

 all over the body or only on thorax. The eyes are bare, nearly 

 touching in a point in the male, separated in the female. Antennæ 

 inserted above the middle of the head; they are short, third joint 

 higher than long; arista long, apparently bare. Frons somewhat pro- 

 minent; epistoma hollowed below the antennæ, with a moderate but 

 distinct central knob and below it retreating to the mouth edge and 

 a little descending; it is pale pruinose with a black middle stripe, and 

 thinly haired with long hairs. Thorax without markings. Abdomen 

 (in the Danish species) somewhat long and a little conical; genitalia 



