36 



HOUSEHOLD INSECTS 



a. Wing with apical veins (M and R) parallel or diverging at tip 

 (Fig. 12). Homalomyia canwvlaris, the lesser house-fly, 

 breeds in waste vegetable substances, and also in excrement. 



FIG. 12. Wing of the lesser house- 

 fly. (X 10.) 



The male has 3 pairs of yellow translucent areas on its 

 abdomen. Several related kinds (Phorbia, etc.) are also 

 frequently seen in houses. 



Wing with apical veins (M and R) more or less convergent 

 (Fig. 13). 



FIG. 13. Wing of house-fly. 



b. Flies with blue or green metallic coloring. Blue and green 

 bottle flies. Common indoors, especially in spring and 

 fall. They breed in fresh and decaying meat and vege- 

 tables, some in excrement. 

 bb. Flies with dull non-metallic coloring. 



'c. With mouth-parts produced and pointed, fitted for pierc- 

 ing (Fig. 16). Stomoxys calcitrans, the biting house-fly, 

 is a trifle larger than the typhoid fly. Especially com- 



