THE ENTOMOLOGIST 



Vol. XXXV.] OCTOBER, 1902. [No. 473. 



MERIANIA ARGENTIFERA, Meig., A TACHINID NEW 

 TO BRITAIN. 



By Colbran J. Wainweight, F.E.S. 



(Plate III.) 



Amongst a few Diptera sent to me for identification by Mr. . 

 W. J. Lucas in the early part of this year, I found a specimen 

 of this species, which, so far as I know, is quite new to the 

 British list. Novelties are by no means uncommon in this com- 

 paratively little-known family ; at the same time, I was interested 

 in recognizing such a well-characterized and handsome species, 

 and, as Mr. Lucas has prepared very excellent drawings of the 

 fly, and of the side view of its head, some account of it may be 

 generally interesting. 



The Tachinidfe form a very large group of the Cahjptrate 

 Muscidce, nearly allied to the common " blue-bottles," and in- 

 cluding the very abundant and familiar Sarcophagidae, or flesh- 

 flies. Many of the species are parasitic upon other insects, and 

 in consequence some of them have made themselves unpleasantly 

 known to breeders of Lepidoptera, who have found them in their 

 breeding cages in place of the expected and more desired butterfly 

 or moth. 



We have in this country a quite uncertain number of species, 

 probably about three hundred, and possibly many more. Owing 

 'to the fact that they are mostly very much alike, and the specific 

 distinctions minute and often indefinite, they have received very 

 little attention, and consequently are little known ; and a number 

 of species undoubtedly remain undetected and unidentified. More- 

 over, those that are known are often little understood — their 

 limits indeterminate and their nomenclature in a muddle. New 

 names and new species, therefore, are more nearly the rule than 



ENTOM. — OCTOBER, 1902. X 



