MUSCID.Si 



445 



Family Muscidce (in widest sense). 



This large group of flies contains a host of varied forms ; such insects as 

 the house fly may be taken as an example. Some have been referred to 

 in this book as being parasitic during larval life (Compsomyia macellaria, 

 Sarcophaga magnified, &c.) ; there are others, however, not referred to here 

 which must be mentioned, namely, Stomoxys, Glossina, H&matobia, Hydro- 

 phoria, Hydrotaea, and Aricia. 



The Stomoxys, or Stinging Flies, have a solid elongated proboscis, bent 

 near its base, extending beyond its head ; its palpi are shorter ' than the 

 proboscis. They are also known as cattle or stable flies. One of the 

 chief species is S. calcitrans a fly which is common to Europe and North 

 America ; has a wide distribution. The larvae live in horse manure, the 

 adults upon the blood of animals. It has a superficial resemblance to the 



FIG. 290. The Tsetse Fly (Glossina morsitans, Westwood). 



common house fly, but can at once be told by the projecting proboscis. 

 They bite man viciously even through thick clothing. Various species 

 occur in the Tropics. It is noticed that' this fly invades houses and stables 

 prior to a storm of wind and rain. 



The Horse Fly (H&matobia irritans, L.) attacks cattle chiefly, but now and 

 then man is bitten. The different species can be told from Stomoxys by 

 "the palpi being nearly as long as the proboscis. 



Hydrotaea meteorica, L. (the Meteoric Fly). This fly attacks man as 

 well as animals. They especially bite around the eyes and nostrils of 

 animals, but are not so particular with man ; the head, however, is usually 

 chosen. Linnaeus called it the Meteoric Fly, because it often forms clouds 

 around horses' heads at the approach of rain. The Hydrottsas come in the 

 family Anthomyidce, and are usually black or blue-black in colour with 

 bare eyes and simple abdomen, the front femora peculiarly constructed 



The genus Hydrophoria, Desvoidy, also bites man. 



