98 H. C. EFFLATOUN. 



Nol much is known of the metamorphoses of this genus but I 

 have bred our common E. spinigera from the rhizomes of the 

 German iris (Iris germanica). The larva? were found infesting the 

 rhizomes in company with a few larvae of Eumerus amivnus* but 

 the rhizomssj think, had been previously attacked by the "bulb mite." 

 [Rhizoglyphus hyacinthi), and in all probability the larva? of the 

 flies had not been attracted until decomposition had started. Mr. 

 F.C. Willcocks also bred S. spinigera from larva? found in the grow- 

 ing point of Banana trees infested with eelworms, and three 

 specimens of adult S. s]>ini<j<ru exist m the collection of the Entomo- 

 logical Section, Ministry of Agriculture, labelled "on rotten stems 

 oi pawpaw (Tel-el-Kebir)." 



According to Lundbeck, Ik-ling lias described the larva of 

 Syritta as being 10 mm. in length, almost cylindrical, a little at- 

 tenuated towards both ends; it is dirty yellowish, the dermis is 

 I '/ngh and short-spinulose ; the segments with about tour corruga- 

 tions each ; on the ventral side are seven pairs of small prologs 

 with spines ; the prothoracal segmenl has at the front margin 

 numerous, short, brown, recurved spines in transverse rows ; above 

 e mouth-opening arc as usual the two-jointed, autenna-likc 

 organs ; at the posterior end of the body are on each side three 

 filaments, the posterior one being the largest ; at the end itself is 

 a brown, somewhat flattened posterior spiracular process : it has 

 a longitudinal dividing line above and below and bears the spira- 

 cles on the flat end. 



The pupa is arched, rounded 1 1 1 front, slightly attenuated 

 behind ; near the anterior end are two short, cylindrical, yellow 

 anterior spiracular tubes ; they are a little distant, directed up- 

 wards ami diverging, ami they have the somewhat thickened apical 

 half besot with small tubercles, partly arranged in rings ; at the 

 posterior end is the larval posterior spiracular process, directed a 

 little upwards. The length of the pupa is about 6 mm. 



The species of Syritta are remarkably good and dainty hoverers 

 and are characterised by their strongly thickened hind femora. 

 Our common S. spinigera may be seen everywhere hovering over 

 flowers and plants. I have watched the copulation of S. subtilis : 

 the male hangs in the air for one minute or more over the female 

 which is sitting on a leaf or flower, then he darts down on the 

 female and soon after, copulation takes place, - the pair remain- 

 ing in copula from three to four hours. 



Onlv about 7 species of this genus are known from the 

 Palaearctic region, two of which occur in Egypt. 



""See p. ioi. 



