186 



G. E. BODKIN AND L. D. CLEARE, JNR. 



Dichelacera damicornis, F. This fly has a distinct partiahty for the blood of human 

 beings and has much the same method of attack as Chrysops. It is found only within 

 the forest area. 



Dichelacera testacea, Macq. Within the forest area this is a common species and 

 will readily attack man. Its bite produces considerable local irritation and swelUng. 



Tabanus senior, Wlk. This fly is much like T. semisordidus, Wlk., in appearance 

 and habits, and in the field they may easily be mistaken for one another. T. senior 

 is commonly found about stock of all kinds in the pastures throughout the year and 

 is a particularly voracious and bloodthirsty species. It is capable of inflicting a 

 severe wound with its large and lancet-hke proboscis, and instances have been observed 

 where the repeated wounds caused by this species have caused the legs of mules 

 and cattle to bleed freely. It has a very rapid and noisy flight, but when once 

 settled down and feeding it is easily captured and may even be picked oft' by hand. 

 No instance has come under observation of its attacking human beings. 



Fig. 2, Diachlorus scutellatus, Mcq. 9» X 5. 



Tabanus semisordidus, Walk. Has the same habits as the previous species, the two 

 frequently occurring together. 



Tabanus impressus, Wied. In size this is slightly larger than the two previous 

 species and has much the same appearance, but it is of rarer occurrence. It appears 

 to be widely distributed, and on several occasions has been known to attack man. 



Tabanus imponens, Wlk. Only one specimen of this fly has been captured and 

 nothing is known of its habits or life-history. 



Tabanus trilineatus, Latr. The common Tabanid of British Guiana, and it appears 

 to be distributed over both the forest and coastal area. It is not so voracious as 

 T. semisordidus and specimens are usually captured while resting on foUage. No 

 instance has been observed of its attacking human beings. It frequently is attracted 

 to artificial light. 



Tabanus desertus, Wlk. (fig. 3). The feeding habits of this fly have never been 

 observed, though niunbers have been collected from time to time. It appears to be 

 a peculiarly inert species and is attracted by artificial light. 



