94 Insecta. 



This paper records that experiments as to transmission by ticks or mites 

 of the disease known as Verruga in Peru, have so far proved entirely negative, 

 and that the principal if not the sole transmitting agent is probably the Psy- 

 chodid fly Plilehotomus. Specimens of this genus have actually been obtained in 

 a Verruga area, and the curiously localised nature of the Verruga localities would 

 be explained in the light of recent knowledge of the bionomics of these flies. 

 Verruga localities are always situated in or near deep narrow canyons, with much 

 Vegetation, heat and little Ventilation. All these couditions eorrespond with what 

 is known of the habits of PhlebotoDius: caves and rock-crevices in which the flies 

 could breed are present in abundance; winds, which they avoid, are largely ex- 

 cluded; Vegetation in which they can shelter from too strong light during the 

 day is present, etc. Other biting flies have been found in these Verruga loca- 

 lities, but many of them for various reasons given cannot be the disease- trans- 

 mitters, and others, which possibly could be, are found also outside the disease 

 areas. H. Scott (Cambridge). 



226) Schiiiitz, H., Eine neue termitophile Phoriclen-Gattung und -Art, Bol- 

 siusia termitophila n. gen. nov. sp, aus Ostindien. In: Zool. Anz., Bd. XLII, 

 Nr. 6, S. 268—273, 1913. 



Die neue Gattung ist im Kopfbau mit Puliciphora nahe verwandt, hat aber beim 

 $ gut ausgebildete Flügel. Auch der Hinterleib ist ähnlich und zeigt am fünften Kinge 

 gleichfalls das Organ, welches Ref. bei Paliciplwra als Drüse erkannt hat. 



J. C. H. de Meijere (Amsterdam). 



227) Eaton A. E., Diptera, Psychodidae [of the Seychelles and Aldabra]. In: 

 Trans. Linn. Soc. London, 2"'^ Ser. Zool., Bd. XV, Heft 4, S. 423—432, Taf 26, 1913. 



This report on the material coUected by the Percy Sladen Trust Expedition enum- 

 erates 9 species, belonging to 7 genera, from the Islands of the W. Indian Ocean. 6 spp. 

 and 2 genera are described as new to science. All are from the mountainous Seychelles 

 group, except one {Tehnatuscopus fryeri) from Aldabra. Of the Seychelles forms, the ab- 

 undant Jirunettia indica is a species also found in India and belonging to au Indo-Ma- 

 layriian geuus: Panimerus, a genus represented by several spp. in Europe and N. Africa, 

 is represented by a new species: the new genus Notiocliaris is perhaps endemic: Psy- 

 choda is represented by the almoet cosmopolitan P. alternata Say, and by a doubtful 

 new species: and Phüosepedon by one European and one new species. No Phlebotomus 

 was found in any of the islands. H. Scott (Cambridge). 



228) Edwards, F. W., Sexual dimorphism in a sj^ecies of Sciara. In: 

 Ent. Mo. Mag., Bd. XXIV, Heft 9, S. 209- 211 (mit Figuren), 1913. 



Sciara scmialata n. sp. [Diptera Nemocera] is described. A large series of S 

 and $ were bred from larvae found at two localities in England. The Jd" are 

 small spidery creatures, with wings much reduced, and absolutely incapable of 

 flight; moreover the wing-neuration is degraded in an almost constant manner. 

 The ?$ are much larger, with fully-developed wings; they are capable of flight, 

 but disinclined to fly, probably owing to the w^eight of the abdomen. They ap- 

 pear to lay their eggs in long strings. The larvae were found Underground, feed- 

 ing on decaying woody roots. Before pupating a number of them formed a 

 procession and explored the boundaries of the box in which they had been pla- 

 ced, after which they pupated in a mass, forming a common covering of silk and 

 particles of rotten wood. 



In Sciara hiformis Lundbeck, from Greenland, the d" is smaller than the $ 

 and has the wings abbreviated, but with neuration less degraded than in S". sc- 

 mialata. In S. membranigera the c? wings are normal, while those of the 5 are 

 rudimentary. In Pcyerhnltofßa scabici Hopk. there are two forms of d", one with 

 normal and the other with abbreviated wings, while the $ is destitute of both 



