1911.] 151 



VoJuceUa zonaria, Puda, in (he C/i/niiiel Ixl amis. ^ Amongst some insects 

 brought, back from Jersey last siiinmer by Mr. J. T. Fountain, of Birmini,'hani, was 

 a fine specimen of this handsome species. The species is one of the largest and 

 handsome.<!t of the Dipfem of tlie family of Sz/rphidce, and it is interesting to find 

 it in the Channel Islands, because, although not regarded as British, yet it was at- 

 one time regarded as such on account of two specimens in the collection of the 

 Entomological Club, which were said to have been taken in tlie New Forest. Mr. 

 G. H. Vermll, in his volume on the Syrphidce just published, refers to these speci- 

 mens, saying that he does not believe they really occurred there, and that they were 

 removed from their position amongst tlie British insects of that collection some 

 time ago. Tliere is no reason, however, why it should not occur in this country, 

 and tlie fact of its appearance in the Channel Islands adds to the probability of its 

 occurrence here.— Colbran J. Watnwrtght, Handsworth, Birmingham : May, 1001 



Aporomyia dnbia, Fall., hi Sutton Park. -On May oth I found this little 

 Tachinid in the greatest abundance in Sutton Park ; it is always a common insect, 

 but I have never seen it in sueli abundance. Previously I have always found it 

 later in the season, at the end of 'Sla.y or beginning of June; on these occasions, 

 although I have taken a large number of specimens, on examination afterwards only 

 three or four males were found amongst them. On tliis occasion, however, sixteen 

 specimens brought home proved to be all males ; this rather points to the conclusion 

 that the males of this species always appear before the females, as is known to he 

 the case with other insects, notably Lycrena arqiolux, the males of wliicli happened 

 to be in abundance at the same time and place. The flies were settled upon grass 

 stems, dung, and the leaves of trees, many of them flying in the air and hovering 

 somewhat after the manner of the common Anthoinyids, a liabit which I have not 

 noticed in other Tachinids. — Id. 



Note on Encephalus compUcans, Westw.— The extent to which the abdomen 

 of Brachelytra is carried in an elevated position varies quite unaccountably in 

 different genera. The majority hold it slightly raised from the surface upon wliicli 

 they are walking, about on a level with the thorax Some, such as Bledius, 

 Oxytelus, &c., appear to trail it after them upon the surface, almost in the manner 

 of Melo'e, ? . Others, such as Tachyu.ia, Myrmedonia and Falagria, habitually 

 carry it nearly at right angles to the head and thorax. All Brachelytra, I believe, 

 with of course the exception of the Froteiiiinu, &c., revolute their abdomen when 

 startled or annoyed ; those which do not do so — Omaliina among others — tuck in 

 their antennae and legs and feign death with rigidly extended abdomen. 



Encephalus compUcans viould appear to be altogether unique in habitually 

 bearing its dorsally-concave abdomen recurved so far that the anus reaches— if it 

 does not actually touch — the anterior margin of the thorax. In this position the 

 resemblance of the insect to a small Agathidium is most striking, and is accentuated 

 by the short, slender legs, and slow, deliberate strides taken, which are very unlike 

 the swift glidings of its congeners. But when disturbed its similarity to an 

 Anisotomid is conapleted : the liead is pressed downward on the chest, the anteiinse 

 tucked away beneath the lateral margins of the thorax, legs retracted close to the 



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