MYLABRIS OCULATA. 21 



FAM. OANTHABIDJE. 

 MYLABRIS OCULATA, Thunb. (Fig. 11.) 

 MYLABRIS LUNATA, Pall. (Fig. 12.) 



FIG. 11. Mylabris oculata. 



Injurious to Peas and Beans, likewise hurtful to 

 fruit-blossom. 



Of this family, to which the well-known Blister 

 Beetle or Spanish Fly (Cantharis vesicatoria), belongs, 

 Miss Glanville has submitted seven species for deter- 

 mination ; these prove to be as follows: Mylabris 

 oculata, Thunbg., M. 16-guttata, Thunbg., M. capensis, 

 Linn., M.groendali, Billbg., M.lunata, Pall., M. undata, 

 Thunbg., and Lytta pallidipennis, Haag. The last- 

 mentioned species is one of the true Cantharidte ; the 

 others have been separated by some authors as a distinct 

 family under the name of Myldbridce, the principal dis- 

 tinction being that the antennae are long and filiform in 

 the former and shorter and conspicuously thickened 

 towards the apex in the latter. The Mylabrida possess 

 the same vesicating properties as the true Cantharidce, 

 and are very similar to them in form ; the majority of 

 the species are black with yellow or red bands and 

 markings on the elytra, and it is the shape and extent 

 of these markings which is chiefly used to distinguish 

 the species. Many species of this family are found in 

 South Africa, and as Mr. Bairstow remarks that "all 

 our Myldbridee are scourges," it would be of little service 

 to give a detailed description of the species sent. 



