XXII] LIFE-CYCLE 377 



The insect seems to be unable to live on any other bird 

 than the pigeon, and in captivity usually dies within 48 

 hours after being removed from its host. 



The copulation takes place either during repose or whilst 

 the insects are flying and lasts a very long time ; during the 

 act the female raises its wings in order to permit the access of 

 the male. 



Life-cycle. The larva is laid amongst the dry dust in the 

 pigeon-house, never in the moist excrement. When freshly 

 laid the larva appears as a white ovoid body with a black spot 

 in the form of a six-rayed star at the posterior pole. Pupation 

 is usually complete within an hour of the larva being born, 

 and is accompanied by darkening of the integument, which 

 becomes black. The pupa measures about 3 mm. in length 

 by 2-5 mm. in breadth, and closely resembles a small grain of 

 seed. The surface of the pupa is marked by a network of fine 

 lines giving it the appearance of crushed morocco. 



The pupa hatches after an incubation period of 23 to 28 

 days, when it is kept at a temperature of 24 to 30 C. When 

 pupae are kept at the body temperature of the pigeon (42 C.) 

 they invariably die without hatching, therefore it is very 

 unlikely that they occur amongst the feathers on the body 

 of the host. 



Lynchia and disease. Three species belonging to this 

 genus, viz. L. maura, brunea and lividicolor, have been shewn 

 capable of transmitting Hcemoproteus colunibce. It is also 

 probable that certain other protozoal infections of pigeons, 

 such as trypanosomes and Leucocytozoa may also be carried 

 by these insects, but up to the present there is no experimental 

 proof in support of this supposition. 



LITERATURE. 



Bigot (1885). Ann. Soc. Entomol. de France, 6th series, vol. v. p. 237. 

 Sergent, Ed. and Et. (1907). Ann. Inst. Pasteur, vol. xxi. p. 251. 



