DIPTERA 317 



panying imported plants. The flies deposit eggs in two days after 

 emerging from the pupa, and 29 days later, new flies emerge. 



The report of the Department of Agriculture for 1908 records 

 a new species of fruit fly introduced with Citrus fruit from Rarotonga 

 and Tonga. Apparently it has not been described. 



Phytomyza albiceps, Meig. 



This fly is common throughout New Zealand, and the larva 

 burrows in the foliage of many plants, especially composites. The 

 sowthistles {Sonchus oleraceus, S. asper and S. arvensis) are most 

 commonly attacked, but the following have also been noted as fur- 

 nishing food plants for this species. Dahlia, dandelion {Taraxacum 

 officinale), common groundsel {Senecio vulgaris), cape weed (Crypto- 

 stemma calendulaced), and nettle {Urtica ferox). 



Dr Hilgendorf informs me that the larvae are attacked and des- 

 troyed by the larva of an introduced parasitic hymenopterous insect 

 (Dacnusa sp.). Messrs Watt and Miller report two other hymen- 

 opterous parasites, minute species of the genus Chrysocaris, which 

 destroy this fly. 



Phytomyza nigricornis, Macquart. Cineraria Fly; Marguerite Fly 



This species was first recorded in Wellington in 1893. In 1897 

 it was said to be widely dispersed and to have become a serious pest, 

 and it has been reported every year since as abundant. It mines the 

 leaves of Cineraria, globe artichoke, sowthistle, dandelion, chrysan- 

 themum, peas and poro-poro {Solanum aviculare). 



Phytomyza chrysanthemi, Kowarz. Chrysanthemum Fly 



This species was reported as occurring abundantly on chrysan- 

 themums in 1907-9. 



Family Anthomyiid^ 



Fannia canicularis, Linn. (Homalomyia canicularis, Linn.). 

 The Little House Fly 



Seems to be common throughout New Zealand, though not so 

 abundant as Musca domestica. It delights to hover and sport about 

 in rooms, and is easily recognisable on window panes by its small 

 size, and the semi-transparent patches on its body. 



Abundant in early spring, and is displaced by the common house 

 fly in summer. Its larvae are occasionally the cause of intestinal 

 myiasis. 



