NOTES ON QUEENSLAND FLIES.— JOHNSTON AND BANCEOFT. 41 



Parasites. — M. hilli readily becomes parasitised by the nematodes 

 JIahronema muscce and H. megastoma. 



EUMUSCA VETUSTISSIMA (Walker). 



(Text-figs. 7, 8, 14, 2.3, 24, 35, 36.) 



Townsend (1915) stated that the type of the genus Musca — so designated 

 by Latreille — is M. vomitoria L., a blowfly which was transferred to CaUiphom; 

 and that the latter generic name fell into synonymy, a new name being required 

 for the species usually placed under Musca. He accordingly erected the genus 

 Promnsca (p. 434) with M. domestica L. as its genotype. He had previously 

 (1911, p. 170) separated off: certain species making M. corviiM Fabr. the type of 

 Eumusca. 



The characters of Musca vetustissima, which have already been described 

 by us (J. and B., 1919), agree with most of those given by Townsend (1915, 

 p. 435) but differ in certain important respects — e.g., (1) the eggs, though 

 macrotype, are not stalked; (2) the puparium is red-brown like that of the 

 house-fly; and (3) copulatory vesicles are present in the female. The species 

 thus occupies a position between Promusca and Eumusca, more nearly approach- 

 ing the latter genus of which it may perhaps be regarded as an atypical 

 member, otherwise a new genus would need to be erected for its reception. 



In our previous account we did not refer to the cha-totaxy which is now 

 figured (fig. 14). There are two weak dorsocentrals on either side in front 

 of the suture. The presutural and posthumeral are rather strongly developed. 

 Postsuturally there are four dorsocentrals, only the last being strong. Three 

 pairs of scutellar macrocha^tte are present, two pairs being well developed. The 

 vertical bristles behind the eyes are arranged as in Musca domestica. 



The palp of the two sexes are shown in figs. 35 and 36 and the tarsus of 

 the third leg in figs. 23 and 24. 



In our earlier account (1919. fig. 5) we omitted to indicate in our figure 

 that the fourth abdominal segment {i.e. true fifth) of the male possessed a dark 

 colouration. 



Ur. Cumpston, Director of the Federal Quarantine Service, informed us 

 that he had observed the common Western Australian bush-fly {31. vetustissima) 

 copulating thirty-six hours after emergence. He used a rather large cage 

 measuring about 6 by 6 by 8 feet for his observations. 



VIVIPAROMUSCA FERGUSONI J. and B. 



(Text- figs. 5, 6, 13, 21, 22, 33, 34.) 



This species was described last year (J. and B.) as Musca fergusoni. 

 If Townsend 's genus Viviparomusca (1915, p. 435) be recognised then the rela- 

 tionships of this Northern Australian fly are rather with it than with Promusca 



