84 [March, 



XIV. Genus: HTSTRICHOPSYLLA Taschenb. (1880). 



Eye vestigial. Genal comb of numerous spines. Labial palpi of 

 five segments. Three abdominal combs. Four antepygidial bristles 

 on each side. 



A genus of the northern tempsrate countries. 



38. Hystrichopsylla. talpae Curtis (1826). 

 (Fig. 82). 



A very large and hairy species. 



The bristles on the dorsal side of the tibiae veiy strongly 

 developed, these bristles forming a regular comb round the apical and 

 dorsal margins of the foretibia. Tarsi very long and slender. 



A fairly common species in England and Scotland, but unrecorded 

 from Ireland. 



Commonly found in the nests of the mole {Talpa europaea), and 

 on the bank vole (Evotomys glareolus). It also occurs on shrews and 

 other small mammals. 



E. Family : Ischnopsyllidae. 



Bat fleas : — Head without genal comb, but with two ventral flaps 

 anteriorly on each side. Eye absent or vestigial. In the British 

 species with five or more combs on the thorax and abdomen. 



XV. G-ENus: ISCHNOPSYLLUS Westw. (1840). 



Maxillae broad at the apex, not pointed ; at least six combs 

 on the thorax and abdomen in the British species. Antepygidial 

 bristles present. 



Key to the Species. 



1. With eight combs 2 



With six combs hexactenus 



2. Males 3 



Females 6 



3. Dorsal bristles of meso- and metanotum not prolonged 4 



Dorsal bristles of meso- and metanotum prolonged, forming 

 a mane 5 



