48 k. ne-\vstead — the papataci flies (phleboto jius) 



The Search for Breeding-Places of Phlebotomus. 



The results of my unremitting search for the breeding-places of these insects 

 were that I secured two larvae from the crevices of the loose rock in the "caves" 

 or catacombs at Notabile near the centre of Malta ; thereby confirming the 

 discoveries made by Captain Marett (6)* a month or so previously. Had my 

 searches been continued in the same kind of habitat I have reason to believe 

 that a few more larvae would have been secured, but having trained the eye so 

 as to facilitate the finding of so minute an object the more readily on any future 

 occasion, I proceeded in other directions, and seai'ched innumerable places that 

 were thought likely to form suitable breeding-grounds for these insects, 

 unfortunately without discovering either eggs, larvae or pupae ; disappointment 

 met me at every turn and I am therefore unable to add anything that is new 

 or noteworthy regarding the breeding-places of PliJehofomits papatasii or any of 

 the allied species. 



In addition to the cave from which larvae were secured I also inspected the 

 places in which both larvae and pupae had been found by Captain Marett ; 

 these were the cave at Gozo, the embankment forming part of the Cottonera 

 Lines, and the stone wall in Captain ]\Iarett's garden, which he had thoroughly 

 explored and had also kept under close and constant observation for a consider- 

 able time. In all of these places the conditions were very similar, if not almost 

 identical. 



In the caves the larvae occurred in the crevices and fissures beneath the loose 

 rock amongst the damp earth, &c., at some distance from the surface, and I was 

 informed that those which were found in the stone wall, occurred low down near 

 the foundations, well within the centre, and attached chiefly to the under surface 

 of the stones : while those from the Cottonera embankment were found at some 

 considerable distance from the surface, where the stones were damp ((i). 



The crevices between the loose rock in the caves were often found partly filled 

 ^\\.i\\ soU rich in organic remains. In the caves at Notabile, in which the larvae 

 were found, the soil had for the most part been reconstituted by the burrowing 

 larvae of various insects and other allied animals. To such an extent had this 

 been done in some instances that quite 50 per cent, of the deposit consisted of the 

 rejectamenta of insects, woodlice (Oniscus sp.), &c. Here and there were found 

 also large numbers of the empty pupae of Sio7}ioxi/s calcitiyins and the pupae of 

 other Muscid flies whose larvae had matured in the stable refuse which had been 

 stored in the cave for agricultural purposes. 



In all of these places the conditions were practically the same, the three main 

 factors being : (a) the presence of organic matter ; (b) moisture, but not in 

 excess ; and (e) the absence of light. 



The principal places which were searched as being likely to afford suitable 

 breediug-groimds for Papataci flies were as follows : — The main sewers and the 

 ventilating shafts in various parts of the city of Valetta : drains of various kinds, 

 cesspools and latrines in many places ; cellars and prison cells in the Police 

 Court : sewage works, and the dark damp buildings used by the Customs as 



" Such numbers refer to the bibliography on p. 77. 



