568 



HOWARD 



Fig. 22. Phormia terrcznovce 

 — enlarged (origiual). 



Phormia terr<BnovcB Desv. 



This species which is a medium-sized or rather small blue- 

 bottle fly formerly placed in the genus Lucilia, would natur- 

 ally be expected to undergo its meta- 

 morphoses in the excrement of mam- 

 malia or in decaying animal matter. 

 It was originally described from New- 

 foundland, but is widespread in the 

 United States. It has not been bred 

 in the course of this work but seems 

 to be abundantly attracted to human 

 excrement, having been taken under 

 many varying conditions at Washing- 

 ton, D. C, at Travilah, Maryland, 

 and at Snickers Gap, Virginia. It 

 was also captured about the deserted 

 sinks at the D. C. Militia Camp at Leesburg, Virginia, in July, 

 1899. 



Helicohia quad?'isetosa Coq. 



The insects of this genus apparently feed customarily upon 

 dead animal matter. The genus was originally described from 

 specimens reared from a snail, as the name indicates, but since 

 that time specimens have been reared from several different 

 kinds of dead insects. The species under consideration seems 

 to have been one of the most abundant flies bred and captured 

 from human excrement. In the experiments in the early sum- 

 mer of 1899 it was bred from excrement exposed six hours on 

 the grounds of the U. S. Department of Agriculture on May 

 12, the first adults issuing May 24. It was also bred in July 

 from a child's fagces exposed in the back yard of a house in 

 northeast Washington. It was also bred the same month at 

 Travilah, Maryland, by Mr. Pratt, and was both captured and 

 bred at Snickers Gap, Virginia, and in the sinks at the District 

 of Columbia Militia Camp at Leesburg, Virginia, by Mr. Pratt. 

 It was also captured and bred during tlie same summer by Mr. 

 Busck from privy excrement at Twining City, Maryland, and 

 was captured also by Mr. Busck at Charlestovvn, West Virginia, 



