DEER WARBLE FLY. oT) 
Of the fifty-five larve, or maggots, taken from the warbles, all but 
about three (which were more advanced in condition) might, I should 
consider, be very safely referred to the second stage of the larve of 
the Hypoderma diana, Brauer. As a general thing, identification of 
Hypoderma larve (especially whilst still not fully developed) is scarcely 
to be depended on from any but an expert; but still, in this instance, 
from the comparison with the fully detailed descriptions and series of 
figures by Dr. Brauer,* and other points noted further on, it does not 
appear possible that this infestation can be any other than that of the 
Deer Warble, known scientifically as the Hypoderma diana. 
Almost all of the larve (that is, all but the three above mentioned) 
were white, and transparent, with the prickles, stigmata (‘‘stigmen- 
platten”’), and minute mouth parts, very dark or blackish. The size 
varied from about three-eighths of an inch in length, and rather over 
the eighth of an inch in breadth at the sixth segment, up to a length 
of five-eighths of an inch, with a breadth (at the sixth segment) of 
about a quarter-inch. The smallest specimens were almost parallel- 
sided; the broader and older ones somewhat more elongate-oval in 
shape. 
On the upper side of the maggots (in their second stage) the 
prickles were disposed so as to form a kind of band of clusters across 
the second and third segment, and at the sides of the two following ; 
but these were sometimes so indistinguishable that it was difficult to 
make them out clearly, even with the help of a two-inch focus glass. 
On the under side the maggot is marked down the centre from the 
second to the sixth segment (inclusive) at the front, and hinder edge, 
with bands of prickles; those on the fore edge often divided into 
spots; the seventh segment with only one cross-band at the hinder 
edge, or front prickles very small. The remaining hinder segments 
bare. 
The three larger specimens were distinguishable at a glance by 
their different size, shape, and colour. ‘These were about three- 
quarters of an inch long by three-eighths of an inch in breadth, and a 
quarter of an inch in thickness, and the colour was slightly ochrey ; 
this more in the case of one of the specimens, of which the prickles 
were of a brownish and rusty colour, than of the other two. These 
were very pale, the prickles being so pale that in many of the bands it 
was difficult to distinguish them clearly ; this paleness of the prickles 
pointing to the very recent change to the third stage. 
The shape of the larve corresponded excellently both with the 
descriptions and figure given by Dr. Brauer; namely, of a larva of 
more slender form than that of H. bovis (our common Ox Warble Fly), 
* «Monographie der (striden,’ von Friedrich Brauer, p. 115, plate viii. figures 
of larva in first, second, and third stages. 
