212 JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY [Vol. 12 



Phlebotomus in the Southwest and the fact that they appear to attack 

 man freely deserves some attention, owing to the fact that this group of 

 insects is known to carry papataci or three-day fever in the Mediter- 

 ranean region, and evidence also points to its acting as vector of verruga 

 in the Peruvian Andes. 



During the fall of 1916 the infestation was heavier than the previous 

 season and the appearance was about a month earlier; in 1917 the 

 infestation was lighter but was present at about the same dates, the 

 latter part of August until November. The early heavy freezes during 

 the fall of this year caused an earlier disappearance. In 1918 the 

 insect appeared the first part of September and disappeared in the 

 latter part of November. The earliest authentic record of appearance 

 is September 3, 1916; the latest record is November 24, 1915. During 

 1916, 1917 and 1918, the species was present in greatest numbers from 

 September 25 to October 10. The adults always disappear with the 

 occurrence of freezing weather. The abundance is extremely variable 

 and amounts to from only one specimen attacking in several nights, to 

 as many as twenty-five or thirty attacking each night for a short period 

 during the height of the infestation. Rarely more than four specimens 

 have been observed on a person at one time, and the greatest number 

 was seven. 



The bite is very painful and the sensation will last as long as one min- 

 ute or more. There is no warning of the approach or attack and one 

 is not aware of the presence of the insects until they are well seated. 

 They are not easily disturbed after they begin to feed and are generally 

 easily captured. I have allowed them to feed from ten to .sixty seconds 

 on my arm and none have ever appeared to complete a meal. The 

 after effects of the bite last from twelve hours to as long as two or three 

 days. On some persons there is no swelling, but a slight reddening of 

 the area surrounding the point of attack; on others the swelling is 

 considerable, the raised place being about two inches in diameter and 

 nearly one-fourth inch high and is always attended by itching which 

 continues for some time after the swelhng leaves. 



The insect is quite active at night but not nearly so evasive as the 

 mosquito, the flight being more deliberate. When disturbed during 

 the day flight is sluggish and irrational. The insects are found hiding 

 in dark places during the day only, one or two specimens at a place. 

 They have never been observed to venture out of hiding until well after 

 sundown and the attack has never been observed earlier than eight 

 o'clock or about one hour after sundown. They have been observed 

 to be most numerous at lights on dark nights, but have been known to 

 attack in late twilight but not in the dark or moonlight. 



No data as to the breeding habits have been collected, but there is 



