xix] 



DESCRIPTION 



357 



The lower part of the face is white, frequently with a yel- 

 lowish tint, which is especially visible upon the sides of the 

 forehead. The latter is marked with black or reddish-brown 

 stripes ; the antennae are brown, at times lighter dorsally. 

 The maxillary palps are short, scarcely protruding, and yellow 

 in colour. The dorsal surface of the thorax is marked with 

 four dark longitudinal stripes, two on each side, extending 

 from the shoulders to the scutellum, but interrupted in the 

 middle of their length by the transverse suture. The abdomen 

 has a yellowish-brown tint and is marked with three indistinct 

 dark spots on the second segment and some on the following 

 segments. The legs are blackish-brown with reddish-yellow 

 knees. According to Austen, the African examples of this species 

 are smaller than British specimens and the abdominal spots 

 shew considerable variation in size and shape. The insect 

 varies from about 5-5 to 7 mm. in length. 



Fig. 83. Stable-fly, Stomoxys calcitrans ( X 5). On the left, magnified view 

 of antenna. On the right, view of the fly in its resting position. (Nat. 

 size.) (After Graham-Smith.) 



Distribution. S. calcitrans has been recorded from almost 

 every part of the world, occurring throughout both temperate 

 and tropical countries and even extending as far north as 

 Lapland. It is especially abundant, however, in warmer 

 countries, or during the summer months of more temperate 

 regions. 



Habits. The common name of this insect, the stable-fly. 



