MARCH FLIES. 



been described from Australia. A species has been recorded from New 

 Caledonia as being the cause of an outbreak of malignant pustules on 

 cattle. They differ from the typical Tabanus in having ocelli, and the 

 third joint of the antennae elongate, instead of being compressed. 



Pangonia guttata, Donov. 



(Figs. 8 and 7.) 



This large and handsome species was originally described and figured by 

 Donovan in his now rare and costly work, "Insects of New Holland, 1805." 

 It has been described and noticed a good many times since; by Guerin in 

 the "Zoologie du Voyage de la Coquille," published in 1830; it was again 

 figured by Macquart seven years later; and it is the insect shown as No. 2 

 on Plate XXVIII in "Australian Insects, 1907." It has a wide range 

 along the eastern coast of Australia, but I have seen no specimens from the 

 western coast. Kertesz also records it from Asia. 



It is a large fly, measuring 1| inches from the tip of the wings to the front 

 of the head, and is broad in proportion. The general colour is black to dark- 

 chocolate brown 011 the upper surface of the thorax; the wings clouded with 

 black at the base, running out into light brown towards the tips. The hind 

 margin of the head is silvery white; the centre of the thorax marked with 

 two parallel white stripes; a tuft of black hairs on either side, the sides of 

 the thorax further ornamented with fine silky-white hairs that form an 

 irregular band, with two tufts 011 the hind margin. Both the upper and 

 under surfaces of the abdomen are marked with tufts of white hairs, the 

 cuter margins fringed with tufts of white and black hairs, the latter also 

 fringing the hind margin of the apical segments of the abdomen. 



Pangonia auriflua, Donov. 



(Fig. 4.) 



This handsome fly also has a wide range along the eastern coast, and was 

 among the insects figured by Donovan. Kertesz has placed it in Rondano's 

 genus Diatomineura. 



It measures under three-quarters of an inch from the front of the 

 head to the tip of wings, and is of the usual stout form, with 

 rather short, rounded abdomen. The general colour of the eyes, upper 

 surface of the thorax, and abdomen is black; the face, hind margin of 

 head, and under surface of thorax and abdomen clothed with silvery 

 white hairs. The centre of the dorsal surface of the thorax is marked with 

 pale, whitish parallel bars, with a broad band of golden yellow hairs right 

 round the sides and hind margin; a parallel row of three tufts down the 

 centre of the abdomen, with the apical segments densely clothed with bright 

 golden hairs. The wings are semi-transparent, with black nervures. 



The genus Tabanus contains our common and most typical March Flies. 

 It embraces an immense number of species, distinguished from the other 

 genera of the family in having the eyes bare (not pubescent), and having 

 no raised tubercle for the ocelli. 



