BREEDING LOCALITIES 



41 



it progresses slowly and continually pecks at the stone on which 

 it is placed. The caudal bristles are kept raised and extended 

 in a fan-shaped manner, thus presenting a somewhat charac- 

 teristic appearance. The larva feeds on semi-decaying vege- 

 table matter and after undergoing a certain number of moults 

 turns into the pupa. 



The pupa (Fig. 24) , which is found on damp earth and under 

 the surface of stones, is remarkable for the large ridges and 

 excrescences on its thorax. The larval skin, with the bristles 

 still attached, usually remains adhering at the caudal extremity. 



The fly generally emerges from the pupa after about six to 

 ten days, but as in the other stages this period may be con- 



Fig. 24. Pupa of P. papatasii ; 

 After Newstead. 



lan'al skin with anal bristles attached. 



siderably prolonged by a low temperature. In India, accord- 

 ing to Hewlett, the life-cycle of the sana-fly varies in duration 

 from a month in the hot weather to six to eight weeks in the 

 cold season, but in Malta Marett found the life-cycle occupied 

 about three months. 



Breeding localities. Further information with regard to the 

 breeding places of Phlebotomus is much to be desired. Captain 

 Marett finds that in Malta the chief localities are the crevices 

 in stone walls and the fissures between rocks in caves. 



In Italy Grassi found specimens in dirty cellars and similar 

 dark places containing rubbish of various kinds. He states 

 that the larva? live in dark and damp places amid all kinds of 



