53 



Genus 

 CHRYSOPS, Meigen. 



Chrysops csecutiens, Linn. 



Plate 26. 



The figures in the plate illustrate the striking sexual difference in 

 the coloration and marking of the abdomen, which, though also seen 

 in the case of Chrysops qiiadrata and relicta, is much more pronounced 

 in the present species. It should be noted, however, that on the 

 ventral surface of the abdomen of the male C. avcutiens there is a 

 yellow patch on each side, which frequently extends on to the upper 

 surface and forms a more or less conspicuous ochraceous fleck on each 

 side of the second segment. In life the eyes of this as of the 

 other species of the genus are extremely beautiful, even when com- 

 pared with those of other Tabanida;, which as a family are distin- 

 guished for the beauty of their eyes ; the ground-colour is golden or, 

 reddish-green, and is marked with purple spots and lines. 



Chrysops ccecutiens has been taken by Colonel Yerbury at Torcross 

 S. Devon, as early as May 24th, and the Museum series of specimens 

 shows that it is on the wing at any rate until the end of the first week 

 in August. The dates and localities of the specimens are as follows : — 

 Nairn, N.B., July 17th, 1904 {Licut.-Coloncl Ycrbiiry) ; Oundle, North- 

 ants, July i6th, 1905 {Hon. N. C. Rothschild); Rugby, Warwickshire, 

 July 3rd, 1890, July loth, 1892 {E. E. Austen); Felden, Boxmoor, 

 Herts, July 24th, 1893 {A. Piffard) ; Bearsted, Kent, July loth, 1896 

 {E. E. Green); Fawkham, Kent, July 7th, 1895 {W. E. de Winton) ; 

 Tilgate Forest, Sussex, August 3rd, 1890 {E. E. Austen); Woolmer 

 Forest, Hants, August 7th, 1892 ( W. R. Ogilvie Grant) ; Lyndhurst and 

 Lyndhurst Road, New Forest, Hants, June 25th to July 12th, 1894 

 {^Lieut-Colonel Yerbury); various localities in S. Devon, May 24th to 

 July 28th {Lieut.-ColoHcl Yerbury) ; Porthcawl, Glamorganshire, S. 

 Wales, June 17th and iSth, 1903 {Licut.-Coloncl Yerbury). 



