262 ANGUS MACDONALD. 



The colouring of the fresh specimen, with its purple and gold and fleur-de-lys pattern 

 on the thorax, makes it a lovely object. In the forest also, in partial shade, I have 

 seen hundreds of them, male and female, round my legs ; and their manner of flight 

 as they gracefully circle and rise and fall, showing apparently four gold-tipped toes 

 as torches tipping a whorl, is a pretty picture difficult to put in the eve of one Mho has 

 not seen it. 



I have made no attempt to investigate the potential malignancy of Limatns. The 

 distribution of malaria coincides satisfactorily with the Anopheline distribution. 

 and no other morbid condition is obviously suggested as having any particular relation 

 to this species. 



Haemagof/iis splendent, Will., is fairly well distributed throughout the wooded parts 

 of the Island, practically everywhere except along the sea margin. I have not found 

 it in the forest, but it is connnonly reported in the highest cacao growth. 



This brilliant blue and green mosquito, Avith metallic lustre, appears in the house 

 regularly from ten to about one o'clock ; between eleven and twelve it is almost 

 certain to be found, if the species is about. I have obtained none but females, and 

 search for the breeding place was long in vain. Ultimately I was rewarded by having 

 one female hatch out from water obtained from a tree-hole, in which also were larvae 

 of a Megairhinus and of Wyeotiiijia grenadensis, the tree being a Walnut or Candle 

 Xut tree {Ahurites triloba). 



Hacnmgogus sjjJendens, in common with Luiiatus darhayiii, Megarrhinus, and I 

 believe other brilliantly coloured mosquitos, shows the interesting association of 

 bright colouring with daylight feeding habits, in conjunction with a breeding place 

 in dark vegetable-stained water in black tree-holes. It may be remarked, however, 

 that for a few hours of the day the sun shines directly on some part of the surface of 

 the water in the tree-holes where larvae have been found, so long as the water is 

 maintained at a certain level. 



The appearance in the house of Haemagogus splendens Avas at uncertain intervals, 

 long and short, and always seemed to coincide with a fortnight to three weeks after 

 fair rain succeeding drought. 



The tree most commonly bearing holes containing mosquito larvae is the Avocado 

 or Alligator Pear {Persea gratissiitia), which grows to perfection in Grenada ; the 

 trees, however, seem very frequently to lose their lower branches and, instead of a 

 callus forming, a hole eats into the tree, which collects rain-water and forms a breeding 

 place for a variety of insects and other creatures (PI. iv, fig. 1). 



I trust the loveliness of the Haeniogogus will spare it from the accusation of being a 

 disease-bearer. 



Having obtained only one specimen in larval or pupal state, I have not been able to 

 secure examples for description. The pupa I can only say looked, in size and dark 

 colouring, like that of Wyeoniykt grenadensis, from among which the imago hatched 

 out. 



Wyeomyia grenadensis, Edw., is of interest as being a new species. It comes into 

 the house after dark, and many specimens were caught on one's clothing in the lamp 

 light. The larvae and pupae have been collected from tree-holes and from wild pines. 

 The pupae and larger larvae develop satisfactorily in captivity, but the smaller 

 larvae may remain for weeks without growing or pupating. 



