MIDGES AND GAD FLIES 



nevertheless, of great irritation as they attack the face 

 or hands of the wayfarer. I have often been tormented 

 with this obnoxious Httle irritant in Scotland where, 

 of course, it is as difficult to get away from water as 

 from a motor car along the nearest highway. One of 

 the commonest species is Culicoides pulicaris, which is 

 shown greatly enlarged in Fig. 38. It is only one of a 

 number of True Midges belonging to the Family Chiro- 

 nomidce, whose unwelcome attentions are known to 

 almost everyone. 



Of the Tabanidce, or Gad Flies, we may select for 

 brief reference the Blinding Breeze Fly {Chrysops coecii- 

 tiens), Rain Breeze Fly, or Clegg {Hcematopota pluvialts)y 

 and the Autumnal Breeze Fly {Tabanus autumnalis, 

 Fig- 39)' The first named is so-called because it attacks 





Autumna 



cattle and horses around the eyes. It has a broad band 

 of brown across the centre of the wings, and a dull green 

 abdomen which, instead of being rounded, or pointed, 

 ends abruptly. The Clegg is a grey insect with mottled 

 wings, which, when one is in the vicinity of water, will 

 sometimes settle on one's clothing, or exposed part of 



85 



