PHYTOMIA. 73 
67. Phytomia (Megaspis) erratica, Bezz: 
Megaspis erratica, Bezzi, Ann, Mus. Civ. Genova, (8) v. p. 424 
(1912). 
At once distinguished from the other Ethiopian species of the 
bullata-group on account of its bare arista, and very like the 
Oriental errans, from which it is distinguishable owing to its 
entirely black antenna, 
The female, which is not yet described, is, apart from sexual 
differences, ver ‘y like the male. The eyes have five to six horizontal 
dark bands. 
Typeot 2 , from Betsileo, Madagascar (purchased from E. Bartlett, 
1878). Additional specimens as follows:—a male from Zomba, 
Nyasaland (Dr. H. S. Stannus); females from Marsabit and other 
localities in British East Aerice vii.—x. 1911 (Dr. J. Pugh, R. J. 
Stordy, and Capt. C. A. Neave); a female from Durban, Natal, 
26. x. 1902 (F. Muir). The species seems to be quite common 
throughout the Ethiopian Region. 
68. Phytomia (Eristalis) natalensis, Wacquart (1849). 
Very distinct from any other African species, with the exception 
of the following one, owing to the presence of broad, alternate 
yellow and black bands on thorax and abdomen. 
This and the following species are closely related to the Oriental 
zonata, Fabr. (syn. cingulata, Snell. v. Voll. ), and its ally Ph. 
(Bristalis) flavofasciata, Macq. (syn. zonata, auct.) ; they may, 
however, at once be distinguished by the hyaline unspotted. wings, 
which are totally devoid of pubescence. 
Phytomia natalensis is widely distributed in Africa, but more 
prevalent in the south; there are two females in the collection, 
one from Durban, Natal (#. M/wir), and one from Marsabit, British 
East Africa, 23. ix. 1911 (i. J. Stordy). 
G9. Phy‘omia curta (Eristalis curtus), Loew (1858). 
Although Phytomia curta is generally considered as only a 
variety of the preceding, after examining a very extensive series of 
more than fifty specimens of both sexes in the Hungarian Museum, 
I am convinced that Loew was right in distinguishing if as. a 
species. It is recognisable at once, owing to its short and more 
rounded shape, the presence of a broad yellow tomentose band just 
before the scutellum, and the greater breadth of the yellow bands 
on the abdomen, which are well developed even on the third and 
fourth segments, the latter being also very shining. 
While zatalensis is more especially a southern form, the present 
species is commoner in Equatorial Africa, chiefly on the East Coast. 
A female from the Uganda Brofachorites Daro or Durro Forest, 
Toro, 4,000—4,500 ft., 25-29. ix. 1911 (S. A. Neave): four females 
from Obuasi, Ashanti, West Africa, viti—ix. 1907, caught “hovering 
over swampy ground” (Dr. W. AW. Graham). 
