324 INSECTS 



in the South Island in 189 1. Now common throughout New Zealand, 

 but according to Dr Hilgendorf not nearly as abundant as G. equi. 

 Mr D.Miller says: 



During February 1909, I observed a large swarm hovering about a 

 young horse, attacking the animal at the knees and sides, and, as they flew 

 about the place upon which they wished to alight, they suddenly darted in 

 and out, each time coming into contact with the horse's flesh. 



Gastrophilus nasalis, Meig. 



Mr W. W. Smith records this bot-fly as first attacking horses in 

 South Canterbury in 1890, and then spreading rapidly over the South 

 Island. It was fairly common in New Zealand in 1894. 



Hypoderma bovis, De Geer. Ox-warble Fly 



According to Dr Hilgendorf hardly an ox reaches New Zealand 

 without carrying the larvas of this fly, but none has yet got past the 

 Quarantine Stations, which so far have successfully resisted the estab- 

 lishment of this dangerous pest. 



In Europe the larvae have occasionally been found in human beings ; 

 but the parasite is more common among herdsmen in America. 



Mr D. Miller (April, 1919) says these larvae were found on cows 

 at Lea Flat Station, about 20 years ago; and at Owaka about 30 

 years ago. 



The larvae of this species have been known to occur in man. 



Family HiPPOBOSCiDiE 



Melophagus ovinus, Latr. European Sheep Tick ; Ked 



Dr Reakes informs me that this insect pest is common through- 

 out New Zealand ; and Dr Hilgendorf states that it is universal. 



Sub-order APHANIPTERA 



Family Pulicid.^ 



Pulex irritans, Linn. Common Flea 



In his narrative of Captain Cook's second voyage, when in Queen 

 Charlotte Sound in 1773, Forster states: "We were told that the 

 people from the 'Adventure' had found the native huts exceedingly 

 full of vermin and particularly fleas." It is rather singular that neither 

 Cook nor Banks in the first voyage to New Zealand makes any mention 

 of the fleas, which were associated with the natives. In his second 

 voyage, when the 'Adventure ' came into Ship Cove in Queen Charlotte 

 Sound in April, 1773, the old Maori pa was found to be deserted, 

 but "the presence of immense quantities of vermin was taken by the 



