54 THOMPSON YATES AND JOHNSTON LABORATORIES REPORT 
on the last two segments. The second segment is the longest, and here the width 
of the abdomen is greatest, the upper surface of this segment is characteristically 
marked. A dark-brown or black line runs down the centre of the segment to meet 
at right angles a similar line which borders its posterior edge. There are no other 
marks on this segment, it is transparent, and its general colour is that of the rest of 
the body. The third segment is, except for a narrow yellow streak along its anterior 
border, very dark brown in colour, more marked laterally. The fourth segment is 
of the same dark colour, and is bordered posteriorly by a narrow lighter brown band. 
The fifth segment is small, and contains the genital apparatus. The wings are of a 
smoky brown colour, and show a well-marked venation. The legs are of the same 
buff as the rest of the body, and are covered with black hair and bristles. A 
noticeable feature of the legs is the jet-black fifth tarsal joint, which stands out pro- 
minently against the large cream-white pulvilus. 
We have been able to allow a number of these maggots to feed on rats and 
guinea-pigs. We purpose carrying out a series of experiments with the object of 
determining whether they are able to play a part in the transmission of the human 
trypanosome. In none of the entomological works, which we can at present 
command, are we able to find any reference to habits or morphology by which we 
can identify this fly. 
Specimens of the flies and larvae were submitted for identification to Mr. E. E. 
Austen, the dipterologist to the British Museum, together with a copy of the 
above report, and he has been kind enough to write as follows : — ' I have read 
the report on the " Blood-Sucking Floor Maggot " with the greatest possible interest. 
Whether this maggot prove to be in any way concerned in the dissemination of 
trypanosomiasis or no, Messrs. Dutton, Todd, and Christy have come across an 
entirely novel and most interesting fact in the biology of diptera, and they are 
heartily to be congratulated on being the first to bring it to notice. 
The flies are specimens of Aucbmeromyia luteola, Fabr. (a species of the family 
Muscidae), which is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical Africa. Before 
reading the report, I was under the impression that the larvae of this fly were well 
known subcutaneous parasites of human beings and dogs, but I have now no doubt 
that A. luteola has been confused with another fly, very similar to it in appearance, 
but belonging to a different genus, the larvae of which are unquestionably subcutaneous 
parasites in man, dogs, and monkeys. Nevertheless,' says Mr. Austen, ' I have 
evidence, apparently reliable, which seems to show that the larvae of A. luteola may, 
perhaps, under exceptional circumstances, live subcutaneously in man. The fly 
itself, so far as I am aware, is otherwise harmless, and is incapable of sucking blood. 
Specimens in the national collection show that it ranges from Northern Nigeria to 
Natal ; it is therefore somewhat surprising that the habits of the larva have not been 
reported before.' 
