432 THE ANIMAL PARASITES OF MAN 



which is formed by the larva of a silky substance. The pupa enclosed in 

 this brown cocoon is bright brown with crimson eye spots (in some species) ; 

 on the front of the pupa are four-branched respiratory filaments on either 

 side ; these and the head of the pupa project from the cocoon. The flies 

 are most restless, and even when stationary continually move their legs 

 about, moving them like feelers. They are gregarious,. 



Simulium columbaschensis is a great plague to man and beasts in parts 

 of Hungary, &c It is known as the " Kolumbatz fly." It derives its 

 name from an old Servian castle in the district of Poshararatz, where it 

 abounds in damp marshy lands along the Danube. It is abundant in 

 Austria and Moravia as well, and is- most numerous after inundations from 

 the Danube. They sometimes appear in such swarms that it is impossible 

 to breathe without getting them into one's mouth, and white animals 

 become quite black. There are instances of children being killed- by these 

 flies, which swarm over them when left by their mothers on the ground 

 when they are occupied in the fields. 



Simulium maculatum, Meigen. 



Female bluish-grey with three black stripes on the thorax ; abdomen 

 with, three black spots above; male dusky black with the sides of the 



FIG. 278. WING OF Simulium. FIG. 279. WING OF Chironomus. 



thorax yellowish in front and the base of the abdomen yellow on each 

 side. Length 2 to 2-5 mm. 



This so-called spotted Simulium now and again attacks man in Europe, 

 but especially horses and cattle. 



Other species, as 5. reptans, Linn., and 5. cinerum, Mac., are very 

 annoying to man in Great Britain and Europe, biting very fiercely and 

 causing painful wounds 



S. reptans* is 2 to 3 mm. long ; the female is grey, the male dark and 

 velvety with grey sides to the thorax ; base of wings and balancers yellow 

 and legs with white rings. 



S. cinerum,' Mac., is dark grey with three dark thoracic lines and three 

 dark lines on the thorax ; antennae and legs black. Length 3 to 3-5 mm. 



5. damnosum, Theob./ a small sand fly, known as the " Jinja Fly," is found 

 forming a " fly belt " from the shores of Victoria Nyanza northwards along the 

 right bank of the Nile, for twelve or fifteen miles or more, and about three to 

 four miles wide. At certain seasons it swarms in such numbers and is such 



1 " An Account of British Flies," vol. i., p. 167. Theobald. 

 '* Proc. Royal Soc., "Sleeping Sickness Report," ii.. 1903. 



