320 INSECTS 



In 1870 A. Bathgate stated that it is driving out to a great extent 

 the native blow-fly. Hutton in 1901 says: 



The statement that the introduced house-fly has displaced the native 

 blow-flies, which have practically disappeared, is quite erroneous. I doubt 

 whether they compete in any way. 



The female lays about 120 eggs. 



In Europe Mmca domestica has been found to visit and polUnate 

 the flowers of the following plants which have been introduced into 

 New Zealand. 



Berberis vulgaris. Conium maculatum, Carum Petroselinum. 



Cakile maritima. Bellis perennis. 



Stellaria media. .Digitalis purpurea. 



Pyrus malus, P. communis and P. aucu- Fagopyrum esculentum. 

 paria. 



Musca taitensis, Macq. 



This was reported by Captain Hutton in 1881, as having been 

 found by Dr Sinclair. He thought, however, that probably it did 

 not belong to the genus Musca. 



Musca corvina, Fabr. 



This was recorded in the Index in 1903 by Captain Hutton as 

 occurring in New Zealand, on the authority of Dr Hilgendorf. 



Muscina stabulans, Desv. The Stable Fly 



First recorded from Auckland in 1859 {Reise der'Novara'). Now 

 abundant throughout New Zealand; more common in the North 

 than in the South Island. 



The larvae probably eat all kinds of decaying vegetable matter^ 

 and have frequently been found on rotten fungi. They occasionally 

 attack growing plants, and have been found destroying shallots. 



Calliphora erythrocephala, Desv. Common European Blow-Fly 



First noticed by Mr Hudson in June, 1889, at WelUngton, and 

 by Capt. Hutton 1893 in Christchurch. It is now common through- 

 out New Zealand. The fly is particularly fond of the flowers of indi- 

 genous species of Veronica. 



In Europe this species fertilises the foUovsing plants which have 

 been introduced into New Zealand: 



Ranunculus repens. Cnicus arvensis, Senecio jacohcea, Tarax- 



Brassica nigra. acum officinale, Calendula' officinalis, 



Hypericum perforatum. Achillcea millefolium, Onopordon acan- 



Pyrus communis. thium, Calluna vulgaris, Linaria vul- 



Ribes grossularia. garis, Veronica serpyllifolia, Mentha 



Daucits Carota. aquatica, Salix caprea. 

 Hedera Helix. 



