HAEMATOPHAGOUS SPECIES OF MUSCA 351 



The egg of Mitsca gibsoni is very similar in size and shape to that of 

 pattoni, except that the spine is a little broader at its distal extremity ; 

 each egg is laid singly in isolated patches of cow dung. The larva (Plate 

 XLVI, fig. 10) is greyish white when mature and always leaves the dung 

 to pupate. The pupariuin is greyish white to greyish brown. 



This species has so far only been found in Kodaikanal (6,000 ft.) 

 Pulney Hills, South India, where it was extremely abundant during 

 the month of September on cattle and horses : on one occasion over two 

 hundred specimens were taken in two hours on a horse. It appeared to 

 cause more annoyance to cattle and horses than did the true biting flies. 

 The species on which it was dependent for its food were mainly 

 Stomoxys calcitrans and Bdellolarynx sangiiinolentiis, which it worried 

 in a remarkably persistent manner, as many as a dozen being frequently 

 seen around one of these biters, endeavouring to make it withdraw 

 its proboscis. It was often seen to be turned round on the fixed point 

 provided by its proboscis. The biting fly appeared to resent these 

 attacks, and to endeavour to protect itself by raising its body and 

 vibrating its wings. 



Musca convexifrons, Thomson. Male- Thorax, dark grey to bronze 

 black, with four broad black longitudinal stripes. Abdomen yellowish 

 brown ; first segment with a broad black transverse stripe at its upper 

 border, and a broad black median longitudinal band. Second segment 

 also with a broad median longitudinal band and a silvery patch on 

 each side of it ; third segment with similar markings, but the median 

 band is narrower. Fourth segment olive grey in the centre, often 

 with two brown lateral bands. Length 5 to 5'5 mm. 



Female- Thorax, grey to greyish black, with four narrow longitudinal 

 bands. Abdomen reddish brown ; first segment almost entirely yellow, 

 with a narrow to broad median band. Second segment with a narrow 

 median band ; a silvery patch on either side and a reddish brown lateral 

 band. Third segment with similar markings to the second, except that 

 the median stripe is narrower. Fourth segment dark in the centre 

 and at the apex, and brown at the sides. Length 5 to 5'6 mm. 



The egg of Mitsca convexifrons, compared to that of Mitsca pattoni, is 

 smaller and the spine is more delicate and curved. It lays its eggs 

 in isolated patches of cow dung, placing each egg separately. The larva 

 when mature is of a greyish white colour with a reddish yellow dorsum ; 

 it always leaves the dung to pupate. The puparium is almost pure 

 white and is very like that of Musca corvina, variety ovipara, Portshinski. 



Musca convexifrons is common throughout the year in Madras, and 



