OF THK MALTESE ISLANDS. 



57 



further details regarding the nomenclature and synonyms of Phlebotomus. The 

 taxonomie position of this genus is with the family Psychodiuae, and it is 

 included in the sub-family Phlehotominae. All the members of this family 

 are small Nemocerous insects char;icterised by tlie possession of relatively large 

 wings which are clothed with either scales or hairs ; and one of the most familiar 

 representatives, and one also which is widely distributed and nearly related to 

 Phli'botomiin, is the genus Psychoda (sub-family Pstchodinae) the members of 

 which are known generally to Englishmen as " Moth-flies " or " Owl-midges." 

 The short diagnosis which follows, will serve at once to distinguish PItlebotomus 

 from any of the allied genera in the Phleuotosiinae and also from the midges 

 belonging to the Psychodinae. 



Genus Phlebotomus, llondanl. 



Mouth formed for j)iercing and sucking ; palpi of five segments ; anteimae 

 long, filiform and composed normally of 16 segments ; wings hairy, narrow, 

 second longitudinal vein twice forked, cross-veins placed near the basal fourth of 

 the wing ; body clothed with hairs ; sexual dimorphism distinct. 



The larva (PI. I., figs. 7-8) is characterised by its caterpillar-like form 

 (cruciform) : by the presence of two pairs of long caudal bristles, which may 

 equal the length of the body : and by the absence of the true legs. 



The pupa (PI. I., fig. 12) is obtectate, and may be recognised by the presence 

 of the larval skin which invariably remains attached to the last two segments of 

 the abdomen. It should be borne in mind, however, that the partial retention of 

 the larval skin by the pupa, is not peculiar to the genus Phlebotomun, as Speiser 

 (8) has shown that the larval skin of Helen {Forcipomyia) recjulus, Winn., one of 

 the members of the Chironomidae, also remains attached to the anal segments 

 of the pupa. The larva of this genus does not, however, possess the long caudal 

 bristles which are so characteristic of Phlebotomus, though in other ways it is not 

 unlike the latter. 



External Morphology. 



Head (figs, l and 9) somewhat elongated, but distinctly narrowed at the nape, 

 vertex clothed with long hairs ; clypeus lai-ge and also clothed with hairs on the 

 upper surface. Eyes large and intensely black. 



pro. 



Pig. 1. — Head of Phleholoiiius papalasu ; ant, antenna ; e, eye ; cl, clypeus ; ijal, 

 palpus ; pro, proboscis. 



