,896 -] Entomology. 153 



are represented by very few species in the Lesser Antilles compared 

 with the large number that exist in other parts of the Neotropical 

 Kegion both north and south of the isthmus; andalmostall tbe species 

 are identical with those found on the mainland. 



The Pyralida? are represented by a much greater diversity of species ; 

 but these, as in other parts of the world, are very wide ranging, most of 

 the species being also found in Brazil and Venezuela, some being 

 identical with forms found in the United States, whilst others range 

 down to Chili ; others again being spread throughout nearly the whole 

 tropical zone ; whilst, even of the species described as new, several are 

 represented in the British Museum or other collections by specimens 

 from continental localities. 



Bot Flies of the Horse.— Prof. H. Garman published an 

 interesting account of the habits of oviposition of Gastrophilus ruuaUi 

 and (1. e<jui. He enumerates five speciesof bot flies attacking the horse 

 in America; the a<lult< ma\ lie distinguished by the following key: 



1 (6) Discoidal cell closed by a cross vein. 



2 (3) Wings marked with brown G. equi. 



3 (2) Wings not marked with brown. 



4 (5) Anterior basal cell nearly or quite equal to the discoidal cell 

 in length Q. nasalis. 



5 (4) Anterior basal cell markedly shorter than the discoidal cell 



\_G. hemorrhoidal;*, 



6 (1) Discoidal cell not closed .... G.pecorum. 

 Concerning the habits and life history of G. equi, the most abundant 



species, Professor Garman writes : 



This fly buzzes about horses during the hot summer days, occasion- 

 ally alighting on their bodies, and, when an opportunity offers, placing 

 its eggs in the hairs on the inside of the knee, on the shoulders, and 

 sometimes even on the mane. Its mouth-parts are in a rudimentary 

 condition, and it can not, even if it were disposed to, do any injury to 



It is probable that the grubs recently hatched from the eggs of this 

 fly are taken into the mouths of horses on the lips or tongue. I am 

 told by a gentleman who has had much experience with horses that he 

 has on many occasions taken the eggs between the moistened palms of 

 his hands, and in a few moments felt the young grubs wriggling about. 

 It appears that moisture accelerates the hatching of the eggs, and it is 

 just possible that many eggs would never hatch at all if the eggshell 



* 7th Rept- Kentucky, Agr. Exp. Station. 



