FANNIA LARV^ 



525 



and sometimes in excrement. The occasional presence of eggs 

 in partially decayed vegetables, as in decayed lettuce leaves, 

 rotten fruit, etc., probably accounts for the not uncommon ap- 

 pearance of the larvae in the human intestine, although the eggs 

 may also be laid in or near the anus of people using unsanitary 

 privies, whence the larvae work their way up into the large in- 

 testine. The larvae (Fig. 253) are very different from those of 

 houseflies and blowflies, being broad and flattened, about one- 



FiG. 253. Larvae of Fannia scalaris (left) and Fannia canicularis (right) . 



(After Hewitt.) 



X8. 



fourth of an inch in length when full grown, brown in color, 

 with rows of spiny processes to which adhere particles of dirt 

 and filth. The latrine fly, F. scalaris, is very similar to the 

 species described above, but is larger and differs in minor details 

 of form and habits. It prefers excrement, especially human 

 excrement, on which to deposit its eggs, and has gained its com- 

 mon name from its frequent presence about privies and latrines. 

 The author has found larvae of this species very abundant in 

 chicken manure. The adult has the same darting and hovering 



