PIIYTOMIA. 73 



07. Phytornia (Megaspis) erratica, Bezzi. 



is erratica, Bezzi, Ann. Mas. Civ. Genova, (3) v. p. 424 

 (1912). 



At once distinguished from the other Ethiopian species of the 

 bullata- group on account of its bare arista, and very like the 

 Oriental rrrans, from which it is distinguishable owing to its 

 entirely black antennae. 



The female, which is not yet described, is. apart from sexual 

 differences, very like the male. The eyes have five to six horizontal 

 dark bands. 



Type of. 2 , from Betsileo, Madagascar (purchased from E. Bartlett, 

 1878). Additional specimens as follows : a male from Zomba, 

 Xva salami (Dr. H. S. Stan HNS) ; females from Marsabit and other 

 localities in British East Africa, vii.-x. 1911 (Dr. J. PugJi, E. J. 

 Stordy, and Capt. C. A.S~eave)\ a female from Durban, Natal, 

 26. x. 1902 (F. JIuir). The species seems to be quite common 

 throughout the Ethiopian Region. 



68. Phytomia (Eristalis) natalensis, Mac quart (1849). 



Very distinct from any other African species, with the exception 

 of the following one, owing to the presence of broad, alternate 

 yellow and black bands on thorax and abdomen. 



This and the following species are closely related to the Oriental 

 zonafa, Eabr. (syn. cingulata, Snell. v. A'oll.), and its ally Ph. 

 (Eristalis) flavofasciata, Macq. (syn. zonata, auct.) ; they may. 

 however, at once be distinguished by the hyaline unspotted wings, 

 which are totally devoid of pubescence. 



Pln/tomia itatalensis is widely distributed in Africa, but more 

 prevalent in the south ; there are two females in the collection, 

 one from Durban. Xatal (F. J/W/-),and one from Marsabit, British 

 East Africa, 23. ix. 1911 (J?. J. Stordy). 



69. Phytomia curta (Eristalis curtus), Loew (1858). 



Although Pliytomia curta is generally considered as only a 

 variety of the preceding, after examining a very extensive series of 

 more than fifty specimens of both sexes in the Hungarian Museum, 

 I am convinced that Loew was right in distinguishing it as a 

 species. It is recognisable at once, owing to its short and more 

 rounded shape, the presence of a broad yellow tomentose band just 

 before the scutellum, and the greater breadth of the yellow bands 

 on the abdomen, which are well developed even on the third and 

 fourth segments, the latter being also very shining. 



While natalensis is more especially a southern form, the present 

 species is commoner in Equatorial Africa, chiefly on the East Coast. 



A female from the Uganda Protectorate, Daro or Durro Forest, 

 Toro, 4,000-4,500 ft., 25-29. ix. 1911 (S. A. Neave) -, four females 

 fromObuasi, Ashanti, West Africa, viii.-ix. 1907, caught "hovering 

 over swampy ground" (Dr. IV. 2T. Graham). 



