Clare Island Survey — Diptera. 



25 7 



of the specimens before me I have been guided mainly by Strobl (Mitth. 

 Ver. Steiermark,1894,pp.'189-190) and Van der Wulp (Dipt. Neerlandica, 

 p. 291). Strobl considers that ineomptus, V. d. Wlp. and seitenstettensis, 

 Strobl, are synonyms of modestus, Mg., while ineomptus, Ztt., is a variety 

 of the same species. 



In view of the difficulties connected with the proper determination 

 of this species I have thought it advisable to prepare, from the speci- 

 mens before me, the following short description, as an aid to future 

 workers : — 



S ■ Antennae dark brown, fully as long as head and thorax together. 

 Dorsum of thorax distinctly shining, of a dirty yellow colour, with three 

 broad black longitudinal stripes, the yellow ground-colour with distinct 

 light grey sheen, especially when seen from the front ; scutelliun dirty 

 yellow ; metathorax black, slightly shining. Abdomen shining black, 

 with narrow transverse yellowish bands at the apical margin of each 



Fig. 1. — Male genitalia of Metriocnenms modestus Mg. 



segment; the whole abdomen covered with yellowish hairs which are 

 about as long as the abdomen is broad ; halteres light yellowish, 

 with dark knob. Legs yellowish-brown, femora darker, tibiae and 

 tarsi lighter, tibiae, especially of the middle and hind legs, with a 

 black dot at the tip ; front tibiae and metatarsi of approximately equal 

 length. 



Genitalia (see figure) conspicuous and hairy, consisting of a parr 

 of distinctly two-jointed claspers, with three short, slender processes 

 between them. 



Length : 4 mm. 



