THE LITTLE HOUSE FLY 247 



distinct species but to a different family, these little 

 ones being members of the family Anthomyidae. There 

 are several of these species of Homalomyia, including 

 not only canicularis, but H. brevis Rond. and H. 

 scalaris Fab., but canicularis is the one found most 

 abundantly in houses. The name "little house fly" has 

 not been definitely applied to it in this country, but 

 it is a translation of the German popular name, "Kleine 

 Stubenfliege." The larvae of this species live in de- 

 caying vegetable material and have also been found 

 living in dead insects of different kinds. They have 

 even been found in the nests of the common bumble- 

 bee. They will breed also in excreta of animals and 

 in human excreta, and therefore would be quite as 

 dangerous as the true house fly were they as numerous. 

 They make their appearance early in the summer and 

 persist until autumn. 



The allied species, H. brevis, is not so common in 

 houses as the one just mentioned, but it is an abundant 

 breeder in human excrement. 



Both species are rapid breeders, and a generation is 

 produced every two weeks, in the vicinity of Wash- 

 ington, in summer. The full development has not been 

 traced, but the larvae are quite different from the larvae 

 of the house fly. That of brevis is shown in Fig. 24. 

 It and its relatives are all furnished with a double row 

 of spiny processes on either side, giving them a very 

 characteristic appearance. Their larvae have occa- 

 sionally been found in freshly passed human dejecta 

 and are surely on occasion voided by persons who have 



