81 



Senior- White (R, A.) & Sen (S. K.). Further Notes on the Occurrence 

 of Coleoptera in the Human Intestine. — Rept. Proc 4th Ent. 

 Meeting, Piisa, February 1921, Calcutta, 1921, pp. 236-239. 



Further cases are reported of Coleopterous infestation of tlie human 

 intestine [R.A.E., B, viii, 160], the species in question being almost 

 undoubtedly Onthophagus bifasciattis, as in the previous records, or 

 a similar Coprid beetle. The possibilities of introduction through the 

 mouth or per anum are discussed, and the importance of keeping 

 watch for discovery of the larval or pupal stages at post-mortem 

 examinations is emphasised. 



In the discussion following this paper, it was pointed out as signifi- 

 cant that only adult beetles have been found so far, and also that out 

 of seven individuals recorded no less than six are females. If these 

 had bred in the intestine, a more equal distribution of the sexes would 

 have been expected. It is also suggested that the infestations have 

 only been noticed in the hot and damp areas of the plains, where 

 the bodies of the persons affected are likely to be left at night 

 unprotected by any covering. Further statistics are necessary 

 regarding frequency of occurrence and experiments as to causation. 



Patel (P. G.). Note on the Life-history of Culicoides oxy stoma, 

 with some Remarks on the Early Stages of Ceratopogon. — Rept. 

 Proc. 4th Ent. Meeting, Pusa, February 1921, Calcutta, 1921, 

 pp. 272-278, 1 plate. 



Several genera of Ceratopogoninae are known in India ; of these, 

 Culicoides and, to a lesser extent, Ceratopogon are the most important 

 as regards their attacks on vertebrates. All the known species of 

 Culicoides generally feed upon warm-blooded animals, including 

 man, while Ceratopogon spp. seem to prefer to bite cold-blooded 

 animals, such as caterpillars, snails, earthworms, spiders, lizards, 

 etc. The species of the latter genus breed in kitchen refuse, algal 

 and fungous growths, rotten fruits, under fallen damp leaves, the 

 bark of trees, etc. Some species are purely terrestrial and breed 

 in moist earth, while others are purely aquatic, breeding in both 

 running and still water. 



Culicoides spp. seem to be entirely water breeders. The life- 

 history of Culicoides oxystoma in confinement is described ; the egg 

 stage lasts 3-11 days, the larval stage 2-10 weeks, and the pupal 

 stage 3-7 days. The life of the adults is probably about one 

 month. They can survive without food for 50-60 hours in hot 

 weather and for 3-4 days in the cold season. 



Midges of this genus occur throughout India ; in Assam and Bengal 

 some species are very common more or less throughout the year, and 

 are troublesome to man and animals during the late evening hours. 

 During the hottest hours they are active in shady places. They 

 apparently feed on mammals, and seem to prefer horses, cattle, 

 buffalos and goats. After feeding, C. oxystoma generally rests near 

 its host on a wall or other convenient object, usually about five feet 

 from the floor. It has been observed breeding in a drain of sluggish 

 water, reproduction continuing throughout the year, but being most 

 profuse during the hot and wet season. It lias also been found 

 breeding in the algae in overflow water near the well of a stable. The 

 author is of opinion that the selection of hosts by this and several 

 other blood-sucking insects is closely associated with the nature of 



