88 



N. II. SWELLENGREBEL AND J. M. H. SWELLENGREBEL DE GRAAF. 



Fig. 11. Larva of Nyssorhynchus schuffneri : a, clypeus ; h, leaflet of fan on 



abdominal secernent v. 



III. Questions concerning the Validity, Definition and Nomenclature 



OF SOME Species. 



1. Nyssorhynchus fuliginosus var. nivipes. 



This variety is characterised by the following points : ^^'^ the white area on 2nd 

 joint of the hind tarsus is very extensive, J- J of the joi- (6) wing much lighter, 

 with smaller spots, notably on 3rd vein and upper branch ui 5th. The same wing 

 markings are present in the male of the typical N. fuliginosus, consequently they 

 cannot be used to separate the males of the type and the variety. 



2. Myzomyia minima, and var. aconita. 



Christophers (1916) separates these two forms on the grounds that the type [a) 

 has the proboscis in the 5 dark, or with only a light ventral spot near the apex ; 

 (6) lacks a light fringe spot at the apex of the 6th vein ; (c) has the apical half of the 

 6th vein completely dark ; [d) has a long black spot on the base of the 3rd vein. 

 To this we may add that (e) the type shows a broad black band on the middle of 

 the light apex of the palps (in aconita this band is narrow). The two forms seem 

 well separated by these characters, but we have met with otherwise typical aconita 

 exhibiting the points (6) and (c), or {a), or (6) (c) (e). Moreover, we have found 

 forms with the points (6) and (c) complete and (a), (d), [e) intermediate ; i.e., with 

 a large light patch on the proboscis but ventrally only, a small black patch on the 

 base of the 3rd vein and a band on the apex of the palps in breadth intermediate 

 between that of minima and aconita. On the other hand, we have observed speci- 

 mens bearing a spot on the base of the 3rd vein at least equalling in length J of the 

 stem of the 1st submarginal cell, but with all the other minima characters present 

 likewise. 



