NOTES ON THE MYIASIS-PRODUCING DIPTERA. 251 



hezziana. The larvae of Cochliomyia viridnla are known to cause cutaneous myiasis 

 in man and animals in British Guiana and Trinidad. Doubtless there are several 

 other species of this genus in South America v/ith like habits. 



Chrysomyia {Compsomyia, Pycnosoma) . — The blowflies of this genus are usually 

 of a bluish green colour, and have w^ell-marked horizontal bands on the hind borders 

 of the abdominal segments. The thoracic bristles are reduced, the dorsal surface being 

 covered instead with fine hairs. Chrysomyia megacephala is one of the species that 

 occasionally deposits its eggs in the tissue of animals in India. It is very similar 

 in general appearance to Chrysomyia hezziana, as pointed out above. Chrysomyia 

 marginale is a common African species, and though mainly breeding in decomposing 

 bodies of animals and birds, will occasionally lay its eggs in, or near, diseased tissues. 

 Chrysomyia alhiceps {ritfifacies) is, according to Froggatt, a notorious sheep maggot 

 fly in Australia, its larvae being found in compau}^ with those of two other blow- 

 flies, Anastellorrhina augur and Pollenia stygia. In India I have noted that the 

 larvae of alhiceps are entirely predaceous, feeding on the larvae of other Calliphor- 

 INAE, so that it seems possible that it lays its eggs in soiled wool in Australia, being 

 attracted by the presence of other larvae ; this point requires further investigation. 

 Chrysomyia varipes is a smaller species with a somewhat similar larva ; it also 

 breeds in soiled sheep wool in Australia, 



Anastellorrhina augur is a well-known sheep maggot fly in Australia. It is a large 

 species, suggesting affinities with Calliphora. The larva, as I will point out further 

 on, is very similar in structure to that of Calliphora erythrocephala. 



Pollenia stygia (villosa) is another allied species, which is placed in this genus 

 because of the fine yellow hairs on the sides of the thorax. It is a serious pest to 

 farmers in Australia. 



Phormia regina, though a common fly in Europe, is not, so far as I am aware, 

 known to cause myiasis in animals. In America, however, it often lays its eggs in 

 soiled wool and in wounds of sheep, particularly old suppurating wounds. Bishopp 

 states that its larvae are often found in sheep with broken horns. 



Cynomyia cadaverina very occasionally causes myiasis, more especially in very 

 foul wounds on animals. It is, however, a regular breeder in decaying animal matter. 



Lucilia. — The species of this genus of bright metallic green blowflies can be dis- 

 tinguished from the species of the genus Chrysomyia by noting that there are many 

 strong bristles on the thorax, arranged in two parallel rows. Lucilia sericata is the 

 most notorious species, for it regularly lays its eggs in the soiled wool and tissues of 

 sheep in Europe, and more particularly in Scotland. It is also recorded from 

 Australia as a sheep-maggot fly. Lucilia caesar only very occasionally lays its eggs 

 in living tissues. Lucilia argyricephala is the common Oriental species and occasion- 

 ally lays its eggs in the diseased tissues of animals. Lucilia tasmaniensis is said 

 to be a myiasis-producing species in Tasmania. 



Sarcophaga. — All the species of this cosmopolitan genus are very characteristic 

 large grey flies with red eyes. Though easily recognizable generically the species 

 are exceedingly difficult to determine. All are semi-specific myiasis-producing flies 

 normally breeding in dead bodies and decomposing animal matter. In India there 

 is, at least, one species which deposits its larvae in wounds, particularly those exuding 

 very foul pus, and the larvae, owing to their large size, cause very extensive destruc- 

 tion, so that there can be no mistaking a case of myiasis caused by such larvae. This 

 species is believed to be ruficomis, but this identification is not certain. I would 

 particularly urge all those who have opportunities of collecting the larvae of species 

 of Sarcophaga from cases of myiasis to breed out the flies, for it is only by doing this 

 that we can be certain of the species and can then study its habits and distribution. 

 Sarcophaga lambens, Wied., and Sarcophaga pyophila, Neiva, are recorded as causing 

 myiasis in Central and South America. Sarcophaga chrysostoma, Wied., in British 

 Guiana, and 5. plinthopyga, Wied., are also notorious myiasis-producing species. 



