BLOOD-SUCKING ARTHROPODA. 



In view of the possible importance of Blood sucking Arthropocla, 

 other than Mosquitoes and Tsetse-flies,* in the dissemination of 

 diseases due to micro-organisms, careftdly collected and iwoyerly 

 labelled specimens of Blood-sucking Flies, Fleas, Ticks, etc., are 

 urgently needed from all parts of the world. 



BLOOD-SUCKING FLIES. 



"With the exception of the Gnats or Mosquitoes (Culicidce), blood- 

 sucking species of Diptera occur, so far as at present known, only 

 in the following families : — Chironomidse, Blepharoceridce, Simulidse, 

 Psychodidse, Tabanida?, Leptida3, Muscidse, and Hippoboscidse. The 

 enormous majority of Blood-sucking Diptera belong to the family 

 Tabanidse (Horse-flies or Dun-flies, Clegs, Serut-flies), in which the 

 blood-sucking habit is universal in the female sex ; in the other 

 families enumerated, if we exclude the Simulidse and Hippoboscid?e, 

 the habit is exceptional, and the species concerned are comparatively 

 few. As a rule, thei blood-sucking habit is confined to the females, 

 and it may be noted as a somewhat remarkable fact, that a large 

 proportion of the species have aquatic larvae. 



* "A Monograph of the Culioidae or Mosquitoes" (3 Vols, and 1 Vol. of 

 plates; 1901, 1903), by F. V. Theobald, "A Monograph of the Tsetse-flies" 

 (1903), by E. E. Austen, and a pamphlet on " Blood-sucking Flies, and How 

 to Collect Them," by E. E. Austen, have been published by the Trustees of 

 the British Museum. 



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