54 



GUIDE TO INSECTS. 



Considerable attention has been given of late to the biting and 

 blood-sucking species. Besides the gnats (for which the Spanish 

 word mosquito is frequently used), some of the most troublesome 

 are the biting midges : Geratopogon pulicaris is one of the commonest. 



Fig. 59. 



Fig. 60. 



Glossina 



longipennis. 



(Slightly enlarged.) 



Ceratopogon pulicaris. 

 (Greatly enlarged.) 



Specimens will be found in Drawer 21 of the cabinet containing the 

 British Diptera (fig. 59). 



Among the Tabanidce, or Horse-flies, species of Hcematopota and 

 Ghrysops are the most to be dreaded. Specimens are in Drawer 21. 

 Among the Muscidce, Stomoxys is one which causes much annoyance ; 

 and it is the allied flies of the genus Glossina, or Tsetse-flies, of 

 which there are several species, which are so dreaded in Africa, since 

 by means of their bite, the parasites causing sleeping sickness and 

 nagana (Tsetse-fly disease among animals) are conveyed. Specimens 

 of Stomoxys are in Drawer 23 of the British Diptera, and examples 

 of Glossina are in Drawer 18 of the general series of Diptera in a 

 cabinet on the west side of the gallery (fig. 60). 



A small series of flies will be found in Drawers 16-19 of a 

 cabinet on the west side of the gallery. 



In Table-case 56 will be found a few examples of Fleas 

 (Pidicidce), with drawings of the egg, larva and pupa of the 

 Common Flea (Pulex irritans). 



A considerable number of different kinds of fleas are known. 

 Most of them live on Mammals and Birds, or are associated with 



