INSECTS OF SAMOA

AND OTHER. SAMOAN Heese

ARTHROPODA

List of Fascicles issued to 23rd jae 1928 - — vee :

Maps | Be

Insects of Samoa and other cae Terrestrial Arthropoda,

2 (in envelope). 1927, 4to. 6d.

Part II. HemipTera.

Fasc. 1. Fulgoroidea. By F. Muir. 25 reat hee

Prof. D. L. Crawford. 4 text-figures. Coccide, Aphidide an

By F. Lang, MA. BSc. text-figures. Pp. 1-45. 1927, 4to.

Fasc. 2. Cercopide. By V. Lallemand, M.D. 10 text-figures.

iF Myers, Sc.D. 22 text-figures. Aquatic and

ry Prof. Teiso Esaki. 6 text-figures. Pp. 47-80.

Part II]. Lepmpoprera.

Fasc. 1. Butterflies of Samoa and some neighbouring Island-gr foe Bs (a HE

Hopkins, M.A., F.E.S. 1 text-figure and 4 plates. Pp. 7, 4to. 5s.

Fase. 2. Mieroulenidopidra. By Edward Meyrick, B.A., F. ae et 65-116.

1927, 4to. 2s. 6d:

Fasc. 3. Geometride.

Pe. 117-168. 1928, 4to. 2s. 6d.

Part IV. CoLeopTera.

Fasc. 1. Carabidae. By H. E. Antdrewe: 9 text-figures.

immermann. Z Se heute. oe hy linide. By M. Cameron, MB.

figures. Hydrophilide. By A chymont. Pia ea

Lamelieroniat BC. ae 13 text-figures. Pp. 1-66.

eyrodide.

emi-aquatic eresopiers:

1928, 4to. 2s. 6d.

Clavicomia and

. 4o. 3s.

Blair, B.Sc. 14 text-figures. Elateride. B yan

Melaige uicnemide) By fe Fi

hr. penne late. Brenthide. By R. Klei

Coe ne Rat Gla ce Hl each

R.C. L. ae DSc., F:R.S. Pp. 67-174.

Part V. HyMeENoPTERA.

Fasc. 1.

E.RS., and_L. Evelyn Cheesman, F.E‘S.,

By Francis X. Will

illiams.

5 text-figures.

Pp. 1-58.

Part VI. Diprera.

Fasc. |

Streblide and Nycteribiide. By L.. Falcoz. 7 text- fae

boscide. By erris. 6 text-figures, Pp. 1-21. 1927, 4to. 2s. 6d.

Fasc. 2. -Nematocera Br .W. Edwards, M.A. 20text-figures. Cecidomyiine.

By H. F. Barnes, B.A.. Ph.D. 4 text-figures. Pp. 23-108. 1928, Ato. oe

text-figures.

eine.

Proterhinide. By

1928. 4to. 5s. ee:

12 text-figures. Larride.

2 text-figures. Formicide. oe r. F. Santschi.

1928, 4to. 5s.

Part VII. Ortner OrpeErs oF he ; an tes

Fasc. 1. Isoptera: Joes tee By Gerald F. Hil. 14 text-figuresand

ele onata. By Lt~Co raser, I.M.S., F.ES. 5 text-figures. i

Pp. I-44. 1927, 4to. 2s. 6d.

Fasc. 2. Plectoptera. By i if patos SN Das ub) ERS, and J. A.

Lestage. 2 text-hgures. honaptera. uxton, Thysanoptera.

By Richer S Bagnall, Pree Bese Bee Pp. 45-76. 1928, 2

Part VIII. TerrestrtAL ARTHROPODA OTHER THAN Insecrs.

Fasc. 1. Isopoda_Terrestria. By Harold G. Jackson, D.Sc. 2 plates. Scor-

pionoidea. By P. A. Buxton, . Pseudo-scorpiones. By A. Kastner. 11

ai ota Acarina. By Stanley Hirst. 2 ten teures: Pp. F27. 1927,

to s

Psyllide (Chermide). By rss, Gea sf

: i) fine, i927.

Cicadide. By age: aS,

: 9th April, 1927.

28th May, 1927.

By Louis B. Prout, 2 to tee and ; plate. a D 4th March, 1 928.

Dytiscide. By Are

text- —

“19th December, 19

Fasc. 2._ Heteromera, Bac aiowden: Malacodermata and Soe "By K. Ga tee eee

waluwenberg. 10”

leutiaux: Cerambycide. By

text-figures. Bete.

“2th February, 1928

Apoidea, Sphecoidea, and Verses, J By R. Cae Pepane DSc. a .

"25th February, 19.

PPP 93 as (ae

23rd June, 1928

Bird July, 1927.

Date Feed,

“26th Februar, 1927.

23rd June, 1928, -

28h May, 1927

2rd June, 1928, ae

BRITISH MUSEUM (NATURAL HISTORY)

INSECTS OF SAMOA

AND OTHER SAMOAN TERRESTRIAL

ARTHROPODA

PART VI. DIPTERA

FASC. 3. Pp. 109-175

STRATIOMYIIDAE, TABANIDAE AND ASILIDAE

By GERTRUDE RICARDO

, NOTE ON THE LARVAE OF FOUR SPECIES OF STRATIOMY! IIDAE

By P. A. BUXTON, M.A.

DOLICHOPODIDAE

By C. G. LAMB, MAA,, Sc.D.

-SARCOPHAGIDAE

By P. A. BUXTON, M.A.

MUSCIDAE

By J. R. MALLOCH

WITH TWENTY-FIVE TEXT-FIGURES

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INSECTS OF SAMOA

AND OTHER SAMOAN TERRESTRIAL

ARTHROPODA

Although a monograph, or series of papers, dealing comprehensively with

‘the land arthropod fauna of any group of islands in the South Pacific may be

expected to yield valuable results, in connection with distribution, modification

due to isolation, and other problems, no such work is at present in existence.

In order in some measure to remedy this deficiency, and in view of benefits

directly accruing to the National Collections, the Trustees of the British

Museum have undertaken the publication of an account of the Insects and other

‘Terrestrial Arthropoda collected in the Samoan Islands, in 1924-1925, by

Messrs. P. A. Buxton and G. H. E. Hopkins, during the Expedition of the

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine to the South Pacific.

Advantage has been taken of the opportunity thus afforded, to make the studies

as complete as possible by including in them all Samoan material of the groups

-concemed in both the British Museum (Natural History) and (by courtesy of

the authorities of that institution) the Bishop Museum, Honolulu.

It is not intended that contributors to the text shall be confined to the

Museum Staff or to any one nation, but, so far as possible, the assistance of the

leading authorities on all groups to be dealt with has been obtained.

The work is divided into eight “Parts’’ {see p. 3 of wrapper), which

are subdivided into “Fascicles."’ Each of the latter, which appear as ready —

in any order, consists of one or more contributions. On the completien

of the work it is intended to issue a general survey, summarising the whole

and drawing from it such conclusions as may be warranted.

A list of Fascicles already issued will be found on the back of this wrappers

E. E. AUSTEN,

Keeper of Entomology.

British Museum (Natura History),

CroMWELL Roap, S.W.7.

INSECTS OF SAMOA

: Part VI. Fasc. 3

mol RATIOMYEIDAE, TABANIDAE, AND. ASILIDAE

By GERTRUDE RICARDO

(With 6 Text-figures.)

STRATIOMYIIDAE.

PACHYGASTRINAE.

1. Eufijia tibialis Bezzi.

Diptera Brachycera and Athericera of the Pui Islands, p. 13, fig. 3, 1928.

THIS species was described by the late Prof. Bezzi from a solitary 3 specimen

taken in the Fiji Islands (Loloti).

The present series of JJ agrees in all respects with the type, except that the

slight black colouring of the legs is not present in the Samoan specimens, the

legs being wholly yellow.

Length 2-4 mm. .

Savai: Safune, 4 4, 12.v.1924 (Bryan). Upolu: Malololelei, 1 J,

19.vil.1925 (Wilder). Tutuila: Leone Road, 1 3, 7.1x.1923; Amauli, 1 4,

6.x1.1923 (Swezey and Wilder).

CLITELLARINAE.

2. Hermetia illucens Linn.

_ The specimens of this well-known American species in the present col-

lection are all 9°.

Upolu: Apia, various dates, u1., v., vi., vu.1924, and 13.1x.1923 (Swezey

and Wilder). “Samoa,” ii—viii.1921 (O’Connor). Bred from dead crabs.

The larva is figured on p. 123.

vI. 3 1

110 INSECTS OF SAMOA.

3. Hermetia samoensis, sp. 0.

3. Nearly allied to Hermetia ilucens L., but distinguishable by its much

smaller size and by the shape of the pale transparent yellow spots on the second

abdominal segment. yes bare, as in H. illucens.

Head: face and forehead black, with same yellow centre on face below

antennae and white pubescent spots on forehead as in H. <allucens ; hairs on

face yellowish-white. Antennae as in H. alucens, basal part of second joint

linear.

Thorax: somewhat shining, bluish-black, with beginnings of three dull

yellowish pubescent stripes ; at sides, hairs are blackish anteriorly ; posteriorly,

and on pleurae, dull yellowish.

Abdomen: rather slender; large pale yellow or transparent yellow spots

on second segment taking up its whole leneth and invariably reaching posterior

margin of seement,* leaving only a narrow black central line ; anteriorly upper

edges sloping, outer edges extending upwards, black border on sides a little

broader than narrow central line; greyish pubescent bands present only on

third and fourth segments, widest at sides and seldom continuous. Genitalia

small, apparently similar to those of H. dlucens.

Legs: similar to those of H. dlucens ; front tibiae usually entirely dark,

sometimes faintly pale at base and clothed throughout with pale coloured

pubescence.

Wings: brownish, varying in intensity of colour, but always paler on

posterior border.

©, Agreeing with 9; basal part of second joint of antennae dilated.

Length, $9, 9-11-5.mm.

Hermetia samoensis may perhaps be nothing more than a local form of H.

illucens,t since I can find no really very distinct differences, though possibly

the second antennal joint in the 3 is more linear. Moreover, besides its very

much smaller size, H. samoensis is less robust.

Upolu: Apia, type J, and numerous other jg and 99, from rotting pump-

kins and chicken dung, iv.1925 ; Vailima, 1 9, vi.1924.

* In some of the specimens of H. illucens in the British Museum these yellow spots also

attain the posterior margin ; Williston (Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. xv, p. 246, 1888) notes that

in none of his North and South American 9° of H. illucens do the yellow spots reach the hind

border of the second segment as they do in the 3.

; The larva, however, is different, see p. 123.

STRATIOMYIIDAE, TABANIDAE, AND ASILIDAE. 111

34. Genus et sp. indet.

Near Ampsalis Walker, of which, according to the late Mr. EK. Brunetti,

Tracana Walker is an absolute synonym.

A 3 and Q, the latter much damaged. 3. Antennae long, second joint

twice as long as first, third jot long and complex.

Thorax and scutellum blackish.

Abdomen reddish-brown.

Legs entirely yellow.

Wings shaded yellow on fore borders, as far as apices of basal cells and

first vein from the discal cell.

Length 4 mm.

Upolu: Tuaefu, Sliding Rock, 1 9, 16.1x.1923 (Swezey and Wilder).

Savaii: Safune, rain forest, 2,000-4,000 feet, 1 9, 9.v.1924 (Bryan).

CHRYSOCHLORINAE.

4, Chromatopoda annulipes Walker (Text-figs. 1 and 2).

Sargus annulipes Walker, List Dipt. Ins. in coll. Brit. Mus., Pt. III, p. 515, 1849.

Chrysochlora frontalis Thomson, Eugenies Resa, Dipt., p. 459, 1869.

The late Professor Bezzi (op. cit., p. 33) records this species from Fiji, and

states that Chrysochlora frontalis Thomson is the male of Walker's species, and

that Chrysochlora bicolor Macquart is merely a variety of the latter. Bezzi

gives a synoptic table for the distinction of the three forms, and says that the

genus is characteristic of the Pacific Islands. The British Museum possesses a

SG of the present species from Tahiti, Society Is., 13.11.1925 (Miss L. E.

Cheesman).

Some of the specimens in the series from Samoa vary in the colouring of

the legs, which are almost entirely black in four fg and two 99 ; these individuals

also have the face dull yellowish-brown instead of metallic green. They all

come from Safune, the gg from the rain forest, 2,000-4,000 feet, and one 9

from the lowlands (up to 1,000 feet).

A 3 and Q pinned together, presumably taken in coitii, are typical of the

species.

Length: g, 95-12 mm.; 9, 8-12 mm.

Text-Fic. 1.—Chromatopoda annulipes Walker. .

Trxt-Fic. 2.—Chromatopoda annulipes Walker. 9.

STRATIOMYIIDAE, TABANIDAE, AND ASILIDAE, 113

Savai: Safune, rain forest, 5 J, 2, 3.v.1924 (Bryan) ; Safune, 2 2 (Bryan),

Upolu: Apia, 6 3, varying dates, v.1924, 6 9, varying dates, v., v1.1923, vi.1924

(Armstrong). Tutuila: Pago Pago, 1 9, 12.vi.1924, 1 9, 18.iv.1924 (Bryan).

Manua: Ofu: 1 Q, 27.11.1926 (Judd) ; and Tau, 1 ¢, 20.11.1926 (same collector).

5. Chrysochlora luteipes, sp. n. (Text-fig. 3).

2. Dorsum of thorax greenish ; abdomen mahogany-brown ; legs almost

wholly yellow.

Head: broader than thorax; face, front and proboscis yellow, large pro-

truding tubercle taking up most of face almost transparent pale yellow; a

TExtT-FIG. 3.—Chrysochlora luteipes, sp. n. 8.

very few pale hairs at base of antennae and also above oral opening ; front only

slightly narrower at vertex. Ocelli situated on a large dusky spot. having an

114 INSECTS OF SAMOA.

irregular anterior margin and extending to borders of eyes and above them.

Antennae long, first two joints small, reddish-yellow, third joint twice as long

as first two joints combined, brownish and slightly pubescent, with long slender

arista, thickened at its base and exceeding main portion of antenna in length.

Thorax: slightly punctate on dorsum, greenish-black, shining; shoulders

and anterior border, sides and posterior corners yellowish-brown, shining ;

pubescence very scanty, thickest below suture, consisting of very short yellow

hairs ; pleurae yellowish (rather brighter than colour of forehead), mesopleurae

paler; metapleurae yellow, with white hairs; scutellum mahogany-brown,

posterior border yellowish.

Abdomen : mahogany brown, with black indistinct median line and some

dull black blotches on dorsum ; venter similar, without black stripe.

Legs: yellowish, hind femora rather transparent-looking, dark at tips ;

all tarsi slightly darker.

Wings : large, longer than abdomen, with stout brown veins and a stigma ;

second vein forked, discal cell with three veins proceeding from it, second one

the shortest ; fourth vein proceeding from second basal cell bordering discal

cell for a third of its length. Halteres yellow.

Length 14 mm.

Tutuila: Pago Pago, type 9, 30.1x.1923 (Swezey and Wilder).

6. Chrysochlora insularis, sp. n. (Text-fig. 4).

2. A small blue-black species, with a long arista to its antenna, and its

abdomen narrowly yellow at the sides. Legs brown, ringed with yellow.

Head : broader than thorax ; face protruding, dull yellowish-brown, bluish-

black bordering eyes, with traces of white tomentum; front wholly bluish-

black, somewhat shining. Antennae brown, third joint yellowish at base,

first joint a little longer than second joint, both very small, third joint being more

than twice as long as first and second joints together, conical and tapering to

a point, with a slender arista thickened at base and as long as remainder of

antenna.

Thorax: dorsum (including scutellum) bluish-black, shoulders yellowish-

brown, nearly devoid of pubescence ; pleurae black, mesopleurae dull honey-

yellow.

Abdomen: same colour as thorax; narrow yellow borders at sides of

segments widest on second, third and fourth seements; dorsum almost bare,

STRATIOMYHDAE, TABANIDAE, AND ASILIDAE, 115

a little pale pubescence visible on last segment ; venter black, with large, median,

dull yellow triangles, their wide bases reaching sides.*

Legs : brown, coxae and basal halves of hind femora yellowish, hind tibiae

with yellowish ring in middle.

Wings: clear, with stout brown veins and large brown stigma ; venation

as in C. luteipes ; fourth vein proceeding from second basal cell borders discal

cell for half its length.

TEext-FIc. 4.—Chrysochlora insularis, sp. n. &.

Length 7-8 mm.

Upolu: Malololelei, 2,000 feet, type 9, 26.v.1924, paratype 9, 4.v.1924.

Larvae in rotten bark. The larva is figured on p. 123.

The only other species of this genus recorded as occurring in the Pacific

are the yellowish Chrysochlora lineata de Meijere, Nova Guinea, Zool., ix. 3,

p. 318, 1913 (New Guinea) ; and Chrysochlora fasciata Thomson, Hugen. Resa,

* In the paratype these spots are smaller.

116 INSECTS OF SAMOA.

Diptera, p. 460, 1869 (Galapagos Is.), which is described as having a short arista,

while the colouring of the abdomen is different.

GEOSARGINAE.

7. Microchrysa maxima Bezzi.

Op. cit., p. 33, 1928.

A series of males and females, which agree in every respect with Bezzi’s

species, the types of which were bred from “‘ banana refuse’ in Fiji. Prof.

Bezzi characterises the species as the largest yet known in this genus, measuring

8-10 mm. in length.

The female from Tonga in this series has a green, metallic, shining abdomen.

The larva is figured on p. 128.

Upolu: Apia, 10 3,7 9, bred from rotten pumpkin, ii. and xi.1925. Savaii:

rain forest, 2,000—4,000 feet, 1 9, 1924 (Bryan). Tonga: Haapai, 1 Q, 13.11.1925.

This species has a very strong general resemblance to Sargus hovas Bigot,

Ann. Soc. Ent. France, (3), vii, p. 133, 1859, for which Kertész (Trans. Linn.

Soc., Lond., xv, p. 99, 1912) founded the genus Cephalochrysa. The two species

are almost identical in size, but J. maxima differs in having no pale posterior

border to the scutellum, while the white band on the front is split up into spots.

Kertész regarded his genus as being distinct from Microchrysa owing to larger

size, identity of colouring in the two sexes, the dark colour of the veins of the

wings, and the fact that the white band on the front reaches the eye on each side.

Since all these characters are present in M. maxima Bezzi, it would appear that

Kertész’s genus should be sunk in Microchrysa.

The above remarks are based on a series of Microchrysa (Sargus) hovas

from the Seychelles Is. (Mahé), in the British Museum. According to Bigot,

the type of the species was taken in Madagascar.

TABANIDAE.

TABANINAE,

8. Tabanus samoensis Ferguson.

Bull. Ent. Research, xvii, 3, p. 315, fig. 1, March, 1927.

Tabanus samoensis is the only species of the present family known to occur

in the Samoan Islands. The type and two paratypes, all females, are in the

STRATIOMYIIDAE, TABANIDAE, AND ASILIDAE, 117

British Museum, which also possesses an hitherto unnamed female specimen,

taken in Samoa in 1920 by Dr. F. W. O'Connor.

T. samoensis is described as a ““ medium-sized dark-brown species, related

to T. torresi, Ferg. and Hill;” the latter is a Papuan species, which occurs

also within Australian territorial limits.

According to a field-note by Buxton, in 7. samoensis the

life is a uniform dark green.” I would add that the general colour of the body

appears to me more blackish brown than “ dark brown (almost chocolate),”

as described by Ferguson.

Upolu: Malololelei, 2,000 feet, type Q and 1 paratype 9, 18.iv.1924 ;

Malololelei, 2,000 feet, a second paratype, 9, 4.v.1924. Samoa, 1 9, 1920

(F. W. O'Connor). Tutuila: Pago Pago, 1 paratype (Bryan).

In the introduction to his description, the late Dr. Ferguson remarked

that Tabanidae from Fiji and the New Hebrides were not available for com-

parison.

“eye colour in

This species is not closely allied to any of those mentioned or described in

Bezzi’s work, and the shape of the palpi, which are not “ long, slender, of about

same breadth throughout,’ distinguishes it from all the species given in his

table, pp. 34, 35.

Tabanus expulsus Walker was originally taken in the New Hebrides, ie

the type is not now to be found in the British Museum. According to the

description, this species cannot be identical with 7’. samoensis.

ASILIDAE.

LEPTOGASTRINAE.

9. (?) Leptogaster javanensis de Meijere.

Tudschr. voor Ent., Deel 56, Supplement, p. 39, Pl. 2, fig. 14, 1914.

Two specimens in poor condition may possibly belong to this species,

which was described from a solitary male, from Java. The individuals before

me agree with de Meijere’s description in having the same shining black thorax,

and the same shading at the tip of the wing; but they differ in having the hind

tibiae only darker at the apices, without black stripes, while the small trans-

verse vein is situated on the middle of the discal cell, instead of at the end of

the basal fourth of the cell.

118 INSECTS OF SAMOA,

Savaii: Salailua, rain forest, 2,000-4,000 feet, 1 g, 17.v.1924 (Bryan).

Upolu: Malololelei, 2,000 feet, 1 ¢ ( 2), x11.1925.

No species of Asilidae has hitherto been recorded as occurring in Samoa,

and Bezzi (op. cit., p. 41) describes only one new Fijian species of Leptogaster.

LAPHRIINAE.

10. Maira aenea Fabr.

This well-known species has been recorded as occurring as far east as Dutch

New Guinea, and the British Museum possesses specimens from the New Hebrides

and N.-H. Queensland ; Macquart records it from New Ireland and the Solomon

Islands.

Specimens before me agree with de Meijere’s statement concerning examples

from New Guinea, in having in the moustache four black bristles, with a lower

yellow pair. The ¢ from Apia has exclusively yellow bristles, and the hairs

on the legs are yellow. The Jd vary in length from 10 to 16 mm., and the

9° from 10 to 12 mm.

Tutuila: 1 3g, 760-900 feet (Kellers); Leone, 2 3, 11.vii.1925, and

18.1x.1923 (Swezey and Wilder); Pago Pago, 3 @, 1 9, 12.11.1924, 2g, 1 9,

2.iv., 16.vil., and 23.1x.1924 (Bryan) ; Afono, 1 9, 25.ix.1923. Manua: Amauli,

1 9, 5.1x.1923 (Swezey and Wilder). Savai: Safune, 1 9, 15.v.1924 (Bryan).

Upolu: Apia, 1 g, 4.x1.1924, 1 9, 30.vi1.1924 (Armstrong).

11. Maira varians, sp. n.

3g. A bluish, metallic, shining species with no pale markings on the thorax ;

the moustache is composed of black bristles and finer long pale yellow hairs ;

the black bristles, which number six on each side, distinguish the present species

from Maira aenea Fabr., and Maira hispidella v.d. Wulp. Judging from the

description that this species was nearly allied to, if not identical with, Maza

luspidella var. nigropilosa de Meijere, of Dutch New Guinea, I sent a couple

of specimens to the author for comparison. This Prof. de Meijere was good

enough to undertake ; he also kindly forwarded to me a male specimen of his

var. nigropilosa, which I have presented to the British Museum. As Prof.

de Meijere points out, there are small differences in the Samoan species which

preclude it from being regarded as identical with his subspecies ; and, since it

does not agree with the description of any known species occurring in the

STRATIOMYIIDAE, TABANIDAE, AND ASILIDAE. Wa

Australian or Oriental Region. I reluctantly treat it as a new species of this

difficult genus.

Matra varians differs from de Meijere’s subspecies in the shape of the geni-

talia, which are not so stout; the basal cells of the wings are also darker, with

brown streaks at each side bordering the veins, the streak bordering the third

longitudinal vein being the most apparent ; in var. nigropilosa only the extreme

apex of wing is darkened, with side streaks hardly appearing. The male has

either no tomentose spots on the abdomen or, if present, they are very small.

The species is less robust in appearance than the New Guinea species.

6. Head : face brownish-black, with some dull brown tomentum and bright

golden yellow or yellowish hairs below antennae and at sides ; moustache com-

posed of many hairs and bristles, about six long black bristles on each side, two

lower ones shorter and weaker, long and short yellow hairs intermixed with

bristles. Palpi black-haired. Beard dirty white. Antennae blackish; first

joint quite twice as long as second, both with short black bristles; third joint

large, narrow at base. Front black, with some reddish-yellow tomentum and

hairs at sides, and two long, black, ocellar bristles. Occiput with soft black

hairs. Collar black, with black hairs.

Thorax: shining metallic green or blue, shoulders covered with hoary

coloured tomentum ; a small, short stripe on central line of anterior half of

dorsum, not reaching anterior border; pubescence on dorsum consisting of

scanty black hairs on central line, thicker and longer at sides, with three rather

weak supra-alar bristles and two post-alar bristles. Pleurae covered with

hoary tomentum, and with a few whitish hairs ; pteropleurae with a bunch of

long, fine, black hairs. Scutellum of same colour as main portion of dorsum,

with long black bristly hairs on its posterior border.

Abdomen : of same colour as thorax, with short black pubescence ; traces

of white tomentose spots on posterior angles of segments rarely present ; *

sides of abdomen with rather weak, indistinct bristles, two on first segment and

one or two on following three segments, and with fine, chiefly black, rather

numerous hairs ; venter similarly clothed. Genitalia of same colour as remainder

of abdomen, black haired, lower pincers much less swollen at base than those of

var. nigropilosa, being of much the same stoutness on basal two thirds.

* Among the material before me, only one 3 shows these spots, and even here they are very

small and indistinct; in the specimen of MW. hispidella var. nigropilosa received from Prof. de

Meijere there are distinct spots on the second, third, and fourth segments.

120 INSECTS OF SAMOA.

Legs : of same colour as body, with fine soft black hairs; front femora and

front coxae clothed with white hairs below, and partly so above ; * pubescence

thickest on tibiae, front and middle pairs with long black hairs on their outer

sides, and with black bristles.

Wings - dark brown, paler at base and on lower fore border.

Q. Agreeing generally with ¢; hoary spots on abdomen present, but very

small; bristles on sides of adbominal segments stouter; legs not so thickly

pubescent.

Length: type 3, 12 mm.; other gg, 12-165 mm.; type 9, 15 mm. ;

other 29, 95-12 mm.

Tutuila : Pago Pago, type § and 9, 14.x11.1925. Upolu: 1,2 9, 15.1x.1923,

2 3, 14.x11.1925 (Swezey and Wilder); Vailima, 1 9, 8.vi.1924; Malololelei,

2,000 feet, 2 J, 18.1v., 21.vi.1924 (Armstrong). Savaii: Safune, lowlands up

to 1,000 feet, 2 9, 1, 13.v.1924 (Bryan).

ATOMOSIINAE.

11a. (2) Atonia (Williston nec Gistel) sp.

A small damaged specimen, without wings and approximately 8 mm. in

length, which certainly belongs to the above-mentioned subfamily, appears to

be closely related to Williston’s genus Atonia, the recorded species of which

occur in Mexico and San Domingo, and on the western coast of South America.

Upolu: Malololelei, 1 g, 8.vi.1925 (Wilder).

OMMATIINAE.

12. Ommatinus varitibiatus, sp. n. (Text-figs. 5 and 6).

52. The available specimens are somewhat denuded, so that the pubescence

on the thorax cannot be described. They bear a strong resemblance to Omma-

tinus curvimargo Bezzi (op. cit., p. 48, fig. 15, 1928), of Fiji, but they are without

the strong bristles on the hind femora, and the outward curve of the costal margin

of the male wing is not so sharp and short. The anterior transverse vein in the

female is far beyond the middle of the discal cell ; in the male it is at the middle

* No white hairs are visible on the legs of Maira hispidella v. d. Wulp var. nigropilosa de

Meijere.

STRATIOMYIIDAE, TABANIDAE, AND ASILIDAE. 12]

in the Fijian species it is before the middle. The moustache is more yellow and

the very strong spines above the mouth are yellow, not black; the moustache

in the male is wholly yellow, in the female the upper long bristles are dark.

TEXT-FIG. 5.—Ommatinus varitibiatus, sp. nu. Wing of 3.

The femora have yellow, rather weak bristles below and one or two above ;

the middle pair have several very strong black ones on the upper side. The

TEXT-FIG. 6.—Ommatinus varitibiatus, sp.n. a, Middle leg of 9; b, hind leg of 2: ¢, ¢ genitalia.

tibiae all bear black bristles, which, as in O. curvimargo, are especially long and

strong in the case of the front pair; the tarsi are more reddish-brown than

black.

122 INSECTS OF SAMOA.

Length: type 3, 19 mm.; type 9, 18-5 mm.

Savaii: Safune, rain forest, 2,000-4,000 feet, type J and type 9, 3.v.1924

(Bryan).

LIST OF TEXT-FIGURES.

Text-fig. 1. Chromatopoda annulipes Walker. 3.

29 2. ” ” ” 2

», 0 Chrysochlora luteipes, sp. n. &.

Pane a5 ensularis, sp. n. &.

» 5. Ommatinus varitibratus, sp. n., wing of 3.

5 eB: 3 sp. n. a, middle leg of 2; 6b, hind leg of 2; ¢, § genitalia.

A NOTE ON THE LARVAE OF FOUR SPECIES: OF

STRATIOMYIIDAE

By P A. Buxton, M.A., London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

(With 2 Text-figures.) |

SPECIMENS of the larvae of four species (Hermetia alucens Linn., H. samoensis,

sp. n., Chrysochlora insularis, sp. n.. and Microchrysa maxima Bezzi) were col-

lected. It was evident that these larvae are important scavengers, especially

as they are large, and in some cases numerous; they devour the remains of

plants and animals after Musca, Chrysomyia, Sarcophaga, etc., have ceased to

be attracted tothem. In other words, in Samoa and other countries, Stratiomyid

larvae compete with mites and larvae of beetles, rather than with larvae of most

other Diptera. The actual decayed materials from which the species were

bred are mentioned in the text of Miss Ricardo’s paper.

The external characters of the larvae are sufficiently shown in the figures,

which require no annotation. The small hairs, which clothe the dorsum of all

segments, have been omitted. They occur in all the four species, but are coarser

on C. insularis than on the other larvae.

LIST OF TEXT-FIGURES.

Text-fig. 1. Hermetia illucens Linn., a, dorsal, 6, ventral aspect; Hermetia samoensis, sp. 0.,

c, dorsal, d, ventral aspect.

2. Chrysochlora insularis, sp. n., a, dorsal, b, ventral aspect; Microchrysa maxima

Bezzi, c, dorsal, d, ventral aspect.

vit

Text-Fic. 1.—Hermetia illucens Linn., a, dorsal, b, ventral aspect; Hermetia samoensis, sp. n.,

c, dorsal, d, ventral aspect.

Text-ric. 2.—Chrysochlora insularis, sp. n., a, dorsal, b, ventral aspect; Microchrysa maxima

Bezzi, c, dorsal, d, ventral aspect.

Ea Nip

a eeeRe? eal as

DOLICHOPODIDAE

By C. G. Lamp, M.A., Sc. D., Engineering Laboratory, Cambridge.

(With 13 Text-figures.)

THE perusal of such a monograph as Becker’s Dolichopodidae der Indo-Austral-

ischen Region will show that practically nothing is known as to the distribution

of these insects in the smaller archipelagos of the Pacific. Sporadic small

collections have been made from time to time, but the records are rather of

collectors’ visits than of insect habitats. Moreover, the insects are liable to be

distributed in soil imported with plants; thus Grimshaw described Chrysosoma

pallidicorne from specimens from Hawau, and the species was also collected in

the Seychelles. In addition, it has also been recorded from Formosa, a locality

which has been more assiduously investigated than almost any other in the

Tropics. There can be little doubt that its natural home is somewhere in

Tropical Asia, and that the Islands received. it as an immigrant.

The present collection is small, and almost the only species of the family

that can be named with a fair degree of certainty belong to the same subfamily,

the Chrysosomatinae. The few specimens of the other genera represented

(such as Sympycnus and Chrysotus) are unluckily in too damaged a condition to

warrant any conclusions as to affinities. ‘The Chrysosomatinae include a species

(or possibly subspecies) near to the Pacific C. patellifer Thoms., and there is a

small group which may well be endemic. But on the whole few conclusions

can be drawn as to the distributional relationships of the group. Furthermore,

there are no clear indications of seasonal or zonal distribution.

MEDETERINAE.

1. Medeterus grisescens Meigen.

A single ¢ specimen of this widespread species.

Upolu: Malololelei, 2,000 feet, xii.1925. India, Ceylon, Seychelles.

vi. 3 125 2,

126 INSECTS OF SAMOA.

DIAPHORINAE.

There are a few imperfect specimens of two species of the genus Chrysotus,

which occur in all the Samoan islands. In addition, there are single male speci-

mens of two interesting forms of the subfamily. One is very like Chrysotus,

but the arista is absolutely dorsal, and the third joint is shortly triangular.

This species is most closely allied to Melanostolus, but is not a member of that

genus. The other is an insect with the facies of a dark Diaphorus, but the

arista is quite apical, and the eyes are widely separate above and below.

It is unfortunate that these two interesting forms are represented only

by single specimens; they are referred to in the hope that the attention of

collectors may be drawn to this group.

CAMPSICNEMINAE.

Sympycnus, Loew,

The collection before me includes two males and five females from all the

main islands. Unless specimens are in the most perfect condition, especially

as regards their tarsal joints, it is impossible to determine even the section of

the genus to which they belong. Unfortunately none of the present specimens

are in sufficiently good order for any attempt at naming them to be possible.

CHRYSOSOMATINAE.

Chrysosoma, Guér.

The vast majority of the Dolichopodidae brought back by Messrs. Buxton

and Hopkins belong to this genus, as defined by Becker. In Samoa, as elsewhere

in the tropics, Chrysosoma appears to be the dominant genus. Becker’s mono-

graph in Capita Zoologica, Deel I, Aflevering 4 (’s Gravenhage : Martinus Nijhoff,

1922) has been taken as the basis for determination. Unfortunately the genus

as now limited is merely a convenient category for the reception of species ;

with increased knowledge of the forms, however, reasonable subdivisions will

doubtless be possible.

2. Chrysosoma ferrifer, sp. n. (Text-fig. 1).

There is a considerable number of both sexes of a species which must be

very close to Thomson’s C. patellifer. Bezzi (Diptera Brachycera and Athericera

of the Fiji Islands, p. 66, 1928) points out that this Pacific species evidently

DOLICHOPODIDAE. 127

varies irom one locality to another, and it is possible that we have here no more

than a very dark subspecies. It is better, however, to give a fairly detailed

description in order to facilitate future discriminatory work. Owing to its very

dark colour it superficially resembles Wiedemann’s C. lewcopogon, and since

the latter is a widespread and familiar species, reference to it will be made in

the description. The females have enormous tibial spines below, and have also

two superior bristles on the first tarsal joint of the front legs, which is a definite

leucopogon character. The male has a hypopygium very lke that of C. patellafer,

shagey femora, long bristles on the front femur and tibia, and the remarkable

“ brand ” on the hind tibia. It differs in colour, and in having (like C. patellifer)

spatulate ends to the arista. Care must, however, be taken in the use of the

latter character. In some of the present specimens the spatulate tips have

been broken off in the process of setting. Hence the definite absence or presence

of such expansions cannot be predicated with certainty when species are

described from single specimens. As stated above, the present species has its

nearest ally in C. patellifer Thomson, but is completely different in colour, and

shghtly so in chaetotaxy. The wings are devoid of fringes, and the spatulate

palette of the arista is entire and unslit.

3G. Head: like that of C. leucopogon, blue-green with face and epistoma much

dusted with silver, palpi similarly metallic, and tongue black. Antennae black,

with similar long upper and lower second joint bristles ; third jomt conical with

upper margin about twice basal length ; arista would reach to end of scutellum

if bent back, and has a terminal palette black at base, white and unslit at tip.

Post-ocular fringe very dense and pure white.

Thorax: dorsum unicolorous, somewhat shining bright green, slightly

brassy between d.c. rows; acrostichals 5, lengthening backwards; d.c. consisting

of the prescutellars and one in front, followed by five tiny hairs, as in C. leucopogon ;

pleura somewhat shining green above, grey below ; as so often the case, dorsum

as seen in inspecting pleura, and thus in oblique light, distinctly blue ; scutellum

concolorous with dorsum, with two long bristles.

Wings (Text-fig. 1, a): exactly like those of C. leucopogon, glassy and

fringeless. Squamal fringes long, white and silky. Halteres black.

Legs: darkened orange, except for black coxae, trochanters, femora, hind

tibiae and very dark hind tarsi. The front femora spindle-shaped ; tibia and

first tarsal of same length, coxa about two-thirds that length, silvery haired

with three smallish end bristles; femur white haired below, with four long

128 INSECTS OF SAMOA.

white bristles ; tibia with four long superior bristles, tarsi practically unarmed.

Mid legs: coxa white haired at base, femur with longish inferior white hairs,

tibia with a superior basal bristle, regular clothing bristles, and very small

crown, tarsus practically unarmed. Hind legs: femur white haired below,

tibia with long brand at base and tiny crown, clothing bristles well aligned, and

curved, a single superior bristle at two-thirds length ; tarsus unarmed.

Abdomen: dullish green with blackish margins to segments: marginal

bristles long, discal ones fairly long; basal segment with a central, V-shaped

depression and large bristly side swellings, as in C. leucopogon ; venter with

long white hairs, upper surface of hypopygium similarly clothed. Hypopygium

(text-fig. 1, 6) entirely shining black.

Trext-rie. 1.—Chrysosoma ferrifer, sp. n.: (a), wing ; (b), hypopygium.

2. Similar to g but with relatively stouter bristles ; first front tarsal joint

with the two bristles characteristic of the lewcopogon group. Legs devoid of

white fringes ; mid tibia with longish crown, three equally spaced large anterior

bristles and three inferior, middle ones of each row forming a pair; some vari-

tion in tibial colour, from orange to a considerable degree of suffusion. Vena-

tion differing from that of 3 in same way as in C. patellifer. The wing

figured is that of the J: in Q first vein much shorter, joining costa just about

level with beginning of undulated cross vein, instead of about level with end of

latter, as in 3g.

Length: 5-5 mm.; wing, 6-5 mm.; antenna, 32 mm.

Localities.—Upolu: Apia, type g, 31.v.1924, 1 Q, 1.vii.1924; Malololelei,

2,000 feet, 1 9, vil924; Afiamalu, 7.xi.1925 (Witon); Tuaefu, 16.ix.1923

DOLICHOPODIDAE. 129

(Swezey and Wilder). Tutuila: Pago Pago, 1 9, 14.xii.1925 ; Tutuila, 800 feet,

1 J, iv.1918 (Kellers). Manua: Tau, 1 9, 20.11.1925 (Judd). Savaii: Salailua,

2 O, 22.v.1924; Safune, 1 9, 3.v.1924 (Bryan). Tonga: Nukualofa, 1 3,1 9,

15-22.11.1925 (Hopkins).

3. Chrysosoma complicatum Becker.

Becker, l.c., p. 159.

A single ¢ specimen.

Upolu: Aleipata, v, vi.1924.

The typical series of this species was taken by Steinbach in the Marshall

Is. (Jaluit).

4. Chrysosoma parvicucullatum, sp. n. (Text-figs. 2 and 3a).

This is a fine species, but unfortunately the only available material consists

of two males, one of which is somewhat immature.

G. Head: vertex, together with triangle between depressed central area

and eyes, purplish green, dusted in parts ; face and epistoma with bright silvery

TEext-FIG. 2.—Chrysosoma parvicucullatum, sp. n.: wing.

dust, except just at base of antennae ; tongue and palpi greyish orange. Occiput

silvery grey ; orbital fringe delicate and silvery, as are the hairy jowls; beard

wanting. Antennae black, third joint with a coating of ochreous dust ; upper

and lower bristles on second joint very long, third joint a regular flattened cone,

about as long as other two joints together; arista black, but similar to third

joint basally, about twice as long as thoracic axis.

Thorax: dorsum entirely shining green, with purplish reflexions; three

pairs of long acrostichals; the last two pairs of d.c. (including prescutellars),

followed by two or three fine hairs ; scutellum concolorous with thoracic dorsum,

130 INSECTS OF SAMOA.

metanotum duller green-grey ; pleurae entirely greyish silvery ; above and in

front of wing-base is a conspicuous black velvety oblong spot.

Wings (Text-fig. 2): glassy, with brown veins. Fringes of sqguamae black.

Halteres long-stalked, entirely pale orange.

Legs: yellow, middle coxae grey, hind femora with swollen tip, forming a

black ring; front coxae almost white, all tibiae with glints of silver in certain

illuminations ; the hind trochanters with a conspicuous spur beneath ; middle

tibia shaped like a flattened spindle, hind tibia also curiously flattened as far

as swollen basal ring mentioned above. Clothing bristles very small and in-

conspicuous, legs being nearly bare except as follows: front coxa with three

black bristles towards tip; middle tibia with small anterior bristle near base ;

hind tibia with superior and inferior rows of about nine small bristles, and a

tiny crown: clothing bristles of hind tarsi better developed than remainder,

especially on first joint.

Abdomen: each segment with proximal half purplish black, distal half

bright green; basal segment with deep triangular pit extending all along its

base, leaving sides as lateral swellings; latter bright green, pit somewhat dull

silvery grey; lateral swellings bearing as usual long marginal bristles ; remain-

ing segments likewise well provided with marginal bristles, and with abundant

small discal bristles; colour pattern extending round venter. Hypopygium

(Text-fig. 3, a) shining black, hairs on appendages pale.*

Length: 54 mm.; wing, 6 mm.; antenna, 3 mm.

Upolu: Malololelei, 2,000 feet, type g, xii.1925. Savai: Salailua, 1 J,

23.v.1924 (Bryan).

The next three species constitute a group of closely allied forms, in which

the wings have a more or less extensive black band. In two of the species the

wings resemble those of C. pulcherrimum, having a broad black main area and

conspicuously white tips.

It is remarkable that all three species are represented solely by males, with

the possible exception of one damaged female, which can only doubtfully be

referred to this group. On the other hand, the present collection includes a long

* The outline figure was made from a cleared preparation: it does not show all the hairs,

or the line of demarcation between the main body and the outer flap-like appendages. Usually

these latter form a hood within which the inner appendages and the penis can be hidden. This

species has a very shallow hood owing to the flaps being reduced in length axially: hence the

specific name.

DOLICHOPODIDAKE. 131

series of females to which no male can be assigned. These females differ com-

pletely from the males in venation and in other respects, so that at present it is

impossible to correlate the two series. In the case of some species of Dolichopus

females are rarely captured, but it is extraordinary that the same peculiarity

should apply to all these three species.

The latter are very similar in character, and their hypopygia (see Text-figs. 3

and 5) are also much alike. The differences lie in the shape and hairiness of

the outer appendages. In many specimens the inner appendages are hidden

Text-ria. 3.—Chrysosoma parvicucullatum, sp. n. (a), and C. decorum, sp. n. (b and ec): hypopygia

extended and partly closed.

by the hood, so that care is required in determination. As a rule a glimpse

of them can be obtained by viewing the hypopygium from beneath.

It would appear that these three species form an endemic group, since no

near relations can be traced in published literature. It is noteworthy that, in

wing-marking and venation, the following species (C. decorwm) is almost identical

with the remarkable species C. pulcherrimum Beck., of Ceylon. The form of

the hypopygium also recalls that seen in the species in question, though the

long-haired appendages of the latter are represented by greatly reduced struc-

tures, and the conspicuous, bright yellow, inner spikes of C. decorum are not

identifiable with any similar appendages in C. pulcherrimum. The colour of

the legs is also much darker, but the genera] facies is that of an under-

sized C. pulcherrumum.

132 INSECTS OF SAMOA.

5. Chrysosoma decorum, sp. n. (Text-figs. 3, 6 and c, and 4, a).

6. Head: entirely shining green, very slightly dusted near eyes on extreme

top; vertex excavate as usual, with a pair of vertical bristles and a few hairs ;

face also shining green, brassy in centre, but somewhat dusted when seen in

profile ; epistoma and lower part of face with slight silvery dust ; tongue and

palpi black : postocular fringe white, longest below, but beard absent. Antennae

entirely black; bristles on second joimt very small; third joint conical, its

oc) Hopkin 4

Text-Fic. 4.—Chrysosoma decorum, sp. n. (a), and C. cnnatum, sp. n. (b) : wings.

2 5) > i fo)

axial leneth about 1$ times depth of second joint; arista slightly swollen at

base, and if bent back capable of reaching to about end of scutellum. |

Thorax : dorsum entirely shining green, the three d.c. pairs (including pre-

scutellars) followed by a few fine hairs; three pairs of acrostichals as long as

d.c. ; scutellum as dorsum ; pleurae darker shiny green, not dusted.

Wings (Text-fig. 4, a): marked just as in C. pulcherrimum, surface all

blackened except for white apex and basal areas, centres of cells also slightly

less darkened ; alula completely dark. Squamae with black fringes. Halieres

very dark.

Legs: all coxae and femora black; front and middle tibiae yellow, dusky

at tips; hind femora almost black; all tarsi simple and nearly black. Front

coxae with one or two lower anterior black bristles and a few scattered white

hairs; front femora slightly spindle-shaped, with four small inferior bristles ;

DOLICHOPODIDAE. 133

front tibiae and tarsi devoid of bristles. Middle femora spindle-shaped ; middle

tibiae with an inferior bristle at about two-fifths of their length, and a superior

one fairly near base. Hind legs bare, except for superior and inferior rows of

quite small bristles on tibiae.

Abdomen: basal segment almost simple, but with usual side bristle tufts ;

colour of abdomen reddish brassy, this tint, however, evident only on distal

part of segments, remainder being moderately dull black, rather variable in

extent. Marginal bristles present ; fringe on hypopygium conspicuous. Hypo-

pygium (Text-fig. 3, 6 and c) entirely black except inner thorn-like appendages

(frequently hidden by hood and therefore readily overlooked), which are clear

yellow.

Length: 5 mm.; wing, 5 mm.; antenna, 2 mm.

Savaii: Safune, rain forest 2,000 feet, many 3g, v.1924 (Bryan). Salailua,

2 9S, 17-20.v.1924 (Bryan). Upolu: Leulumoega, 2 gg, 14.1x.1923 (Swezey

and Wilder) ; Malololelei, type 3, 19.ix.1925 (Wilder), 1 g, 25.v.1924; Apia,

1g, 3l.v.1924. :

Manono Is., 1 3, 10.v.1924.

6. Chrysosoma consimile, sp. n.

Perhaps merely a depauperated form of C. decorwm, to which it is in any

case exceedingly closely allied. The hypopygium is very like that of C. decorum,

the general shape being almost the same, though it is somewhat slighter in build.

The main points of difference lie in the smaller size, much paler legs, and the

more diffuse and fainter blackening of the wings.

6. Head: Vertex and face shining bluish green, epistoma slightly silvery,

post-orbitals as C. decorum: tongue and palpi black. Antenna with brownish

third jomt and simple black arista.

Thorax: uniformly bright blue-green, pleurae slightly duller; bristles as

in C. decorum.

Wings : similar to those of following species (cf. Text-fig. 4, 6) ; cross-bands

brownish and rather faint. Halteres bright yellow.

Legs: yellowish, except middle and hind coxae, which are greyish green ;

tip of hind femur dark above, hind tarsi dusky. Bristles: front coxa with

terminal bristle and another a little above it ; middle tibia with single superior

bristle at base, and, like middle tarsus, with rows of rather long clothing bristles ;

hind tibia with upper and lower rows of five or six small bristles. ;

134 INSECTS OF SAMOA,

Abdomen: blue-green on distal portion of each segment, blackened else-

where ; dark portion increasing from base to tip, terminal segments more brassy.

Hypopygium black.

Length: 4-5 mm.; wing, 4:5 mm.; antenna, 2 mm.

Manua: Tau, 2 $¢, 20.11.1926 (Judd), 1 g, 17.ix.1923 (Swezey and Wilder).

Tutuila: Leone Road, 2 gg, 19.11.1924 (Bryan), 2 $¢, 7.1x.1923 (Swezey and

Wilder) ; Pago Pago, 1 4, 4.ix.1923 (Swezey and Wilder), 1 g, 14.xii.1925.

Upolu: Apia, type gy 22.v.1924.

Trext-rie. 5.—Chrysosoma innatum, sp. n. (a), and C. vidwum, sp. n. (b): hypopygia.

7. Chrysosoma innatum, sp. n. (Text-figs. 4, b and 5, a).

This species, though structurally very close to C. decorum, is quite distinct

in colour and general facies; there is also a considerable difference in the

hypopygial appendages.

Head: vertex and frons entirely shiny bluish green, face grass-green ;

epistoma silver dusted, palpi dark orange. Antennae with black first and second

joints, third joint suffused with brownish, shortly conical; arista pale; orbital

bristles pale, and a slight whitish beard.

Thorax : dorsum entirely shining green, bluer on base and on rounded

scutellum ; d.c. as in C. consimile : pleurae duller green, slightly dusted.

Wings (Text-fig. 4, b): as in C. consimile. Alula not darkened. Haiteres

yellow. Squamal fringes pale.

Legs entirely yellow, except for middle and hind coxae, which are some-

what brassy, a small dark spot exactly on tip of hind femur, and somewhat

DOLICHOPODIDAKE. 135

suffused tarsi. Bristles: two black terminal bristles on front coxa, and tiny

rows of four upper and lower on hind tibia.

Abdomen: shallow excavation on first segment brownish, remainder of

surface shining green, with proximal edges of segments blackened; marginal

bristles normal, those on last segment exceedingly long and _ spreading,

axially sinuate; two long bristles similar to these on penultimate segment.

Outer hypopygial appendages (Text-fig. 5, a) shorter than in C. consimile,

flattened-cylindrical in section and covered with bristles (not merely fringed

along margin as shown In figure).

Length: 4-5 mm.; wing, 4:25 mm.; antenna, 2 mm.

Sava: Safune, rain forest, 2,000-4,000 feet. 1 @, 5.1x.1924 (Bryan).

Upolu: Malololelei, 3 gg, vii.1925 (Wilder), 3 g¢ (including type), 20.v1.1924.

8. Chrysosoma viduum, sp. n. (Text-fig. 5, 0).

Closely resembling the three species belonging to the preceding group, but

with different antennae and hypopygial structure. This species is likewise

represented in the present collection by the male sex alone.

Head: vertex, frons, face and epistoma bright green with bluish reflections,

but slightly shagreened surface; points- of insertion of antennae a little

dusted ; tongue and palpi brownish black; post-ocular fringe silvery white.

Antennae entirely velvety black, with moderate-sized upper and lower bristles

on second joint ; the third joint not conical; arista with basal joints swollen.

Thorax: dorsum and scutellum coloured like head; d.c. as in previous

group (three and following hairs), four acrostichal pairs as long as d.cs., last

pair well up to prothorax; all thoracic bristles exceptionally stout; pleurae

hke dorsum.

Wings like Text-fig. 4, a, with same colour bands asin C. decorum. Halteres

nearly black.

Legs: entirely black-brown to black, including all coxae. Bristles: front

coxae with three or four stout terminal bristles in vertical line, front tibiae with

small superior about one-fifth down; middle tibiae like front pair, but with

neighbouring small bristle ; hind tibiae with usual upper and lower rows of about

six bristles.

Abdomen: first segment slightly arched ; all segments basally black and

distally aeneous green; marginal bristles stout, those on last segment forming

136 INSECTS OF SAMOA.

a conspicuous crown. Hypopygium (Text-fig. 5, 6) black; styles of last group

replaced by a falcate appendage.

Length: 4mm.; wing, 4:25 mm.; antenna, 2 mm.

Upolu: Malololelei, 1 3, 21.vi.1924 (Armstrong), 2 gg, vi.1924, type d,

vu.1924.

Chrysosoma, sp. ? (Text-fig. 6).

The collection includes a fair number of 99 to which no ¢ can be assigned.

Though it is just possible that these belong to one of the four preceding species,

they differ very greatly from any of them, as wili be seen from the following

description and figures.

Head: slightly excavate, vertex shining blue-green down to antennae ;

face golden green, suffused with dust; epistoma grey dusted, palpi and tongue

Text-FIG. 6.—Chrysosoma, sp.: wing of 9.

black, post-ocular fringe pale, more profuse and longer below. Antennae black,

with conical third joint.

Thorax: dorsum and scutellum shining green, with four d.c. and four

acrostichal pairs.

Wings as shown in Text-fig. 6, glassy, with black veins. Halteres orange.

Legs entirely yellow, except middle and hind coxae, a brown spot at tip of

hind femur and dusky tarsi; tarsal joints rather stout. Bristles: front coxae

with three bristles in a vertical row; middle tibiae with large anterior bristle

at one-fourth of their length from base, a large upper one midway and a small

crown; hind tibiae with superior row of about four bristles.

Abdomen entirely shining brassy green, but base of first segment and space

between first and second segments appear as a dusky orange band.

Length: 3-5 mm.; wings, 3-5 mm.

Upolu: Malololelei, 8 99, 21.iv.1925, 20.vi.1924, xii.1925, vii.1924 (Buxton

DOLICHOPODIDAE. 137

and Hopkins); 4 99, vil.1925 (Wilder) ; Apia, 1 9, 31.v.1924. Savaii: 1,000

feet, 2 99, 21.x1.1925 (Buxton and Hopkins). Tutuila: Leone Road, 1 9, 9.11.1924

(Bryan) ; Pago Pago, 1 9, 9.1x.1923 (Wilder).

Helixocerus, gen. n.

The collection contains two males and a female (in fair condition) of an

interesting new form, which belongs to the Chrysosomatinae, but exhibits striking

sexual dimorphism in the wing venation. In addition, dorsocentral and

acrostichal bristles are absent, the arista is pubescent and bent sharply at right

angles at its second joint, and the male genitalia are of exceptional length, as

in some species of Mesorhaga.

Genotype: the following species.

9. Helixocerus mendosum, sp. n. (Text-figs. 7 and 8).

36. Head (Text-fig. 7, c and d): scarcely excavate, with small ocellar

prominence ; no bristles except ocellar ; face entirely shining aeneous, narrowing

uniformly from ocelli to epistoma; epistoma (except base), tongue and palpi

orange. Post-ocular fringe represented by a few tiny bristles on upper part ;—

lower portion of occiput quite bare. Antenna as shown in Text-fig. 7, d; first

138 INSECTS OF SAMOA.

and second joints orange, latter with small upper bristle ; third joint conical,

about as lone as first and second together, black with silvery dust; arista

terminal, stout, black and somewhat pubescent, sharply bent at flagellar junction.

Thorax: wnostly shining green (yellow behind head), becoming brighter

towards scutellum, which is brilliant blue-green; surface quite bare (with no

signs of bristle insertions, which would be visible had actual bristles been

removed) except for a pair of prescutellar bristles, and usual terminal scutellar

pair; pleurae entirely orange.

Wings: as shown in Text-fig. 7, a; glassy, with brown veins; upward

curve of fourth vein entirely different from normal; remarkable rows of small

Trext-ric. 8—Helixocerus mendosum, gen. n., sp. n.: hypopygium.

spines below last third of lower border of third vein; costa exceptionally strongly

spined (spines not shown in figure). Halteres orange.

Legs entirely orange, without bristles except a single stout black bristle

at distal extremity of front coxa.

Abdomen : dorsum shining green, like thorax ; viewed from above appearing

constricted at segments three, four, and five, where it is laterally flattened ;

marginal bristles present; venter shining orange except last two segments,

which are shining dark brown. Hypopygium (Text-fig. 8) very large and complex

in form, extending at least as far as middle of venter.

9. Similar to 4 in colour, etc., but face wider and more nearly parallel

sided (one specimen has a single small d.c. bristle).

Venation (Text-fig. 7, 6) normal, no rows of spines below end of third vein.

Length: 3-25 mm. ; wings, 2-25 mm.; antenna 1 mm.

Upolu: Malololelei, 1 9, 26.iv.1924 (Bryan). Tutuila: Leone Road,

type 3, 9.1x.1923 ; Pago Pago, 1 J, 7.1x.1923 (Swezey and Wilder).

DOLICHOPODIDAE. 139

LIST OF TEXT-FIGURES.

Chrysosoma ferrifer, sp. n.: (a), wing; (b), hypopygium

. Chrysosoma parvicucullatum, sp. n.: Wing.

. Chrysosoma parvicucullatum, sp. n. (a), and C. decorum, sp. nu. (6 and ce): hypopygia

extended and partly closed.

. Chrysosoma decorum, sp. n. (a), and C. innatum, sp. n. (6): wings.«

. Chrysosoma innatum, sp. n. (a), and C. viduum, sp. n. (b): hypopygia.

. Chrysosoma, sp.: wing of 9.

. Helixocerus mendosum, gen. n., sp. n.: (a) wing of g; (6) wing of 9; (c) head from

in front; (d), head from left side.

. Helixocerus mendosum, gen. n., sp. n.: hypopygium.

SARCOPHAGIDAE.

By P. A. Buxton, M.A., London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

(With 9 Text-figures.)

Aut the adult material of this family collected by the Bishop Museum, and by

Mr. Hopkins and myself was submitted to Dr. J. M. Aldrich of Washington, who

identified all the species previously known, but, as the late Prof. M. Bezzi’s

work on the Diptera of Fiji was then in the press, refrained from describing new

species. The entire collection, with Aldrich’s identifications and remarks, was

then forwarded to Bezzi, who, in 1927, described two new Samoan species, and

published a key to all the Sarcophagid flies known to occur in the South Pacific.

It had been arranged that Prof. Bezzi would contribute an article to the

present work, and since his lamented death it has fallen to me to do so. In

matters of systematics and synonymy I have followed his paper, and have

made use of all the early stages and field notes collected by Mr. Hopkins and

myself. In view of the large number of species of Sarcophaga in existence, and

the fact that the early stages of so many are unknown, I have illustrated all

those points in which the Samoan larvae are found to differ from one another.

In describing the posterior extremity of larvae or pupae I refer to the three

dorsal papillae as d, e, and f, and the three ventral as a, b, andc,; f anda are the

median ones. This is consistent with the usage of Sinton.

Of the adults, we brought home long bred series of Sarcophaga dua, S. fusci-

cauda, and S. peltata, that is to say all the widely distributed species except

S. orchidea and S. froggatti. The first three species were obtained in large numbers

by exposing small carcases, and specimens of faeces in Apia. On the other

hand the more interesting native species were rare, or elusive; S. rhynchura,

only known from specimens from Savaii, was never bred, and could not have

passed unrecognised owing to its characteristically infuscated wings ; S. corrhura,

which is less distinctive, was bred once only (a single specimen), and netted in

vi. 3 141 3

142 INSECTS OF SAMOA.

two remote places, but not in Apia. It seems, therefore, that the native forms

are being replaced by the obtrusive introduced species. Neither of the native

species is confined to the hills.

One is inclined to assume that all the widely distributed species (Sarcophaga

dux, S. froggatti, S. fuscicauda, S. orchidea, S. peltata) have recently been intro-

duced by European shipping. This may well be the case but is by no means

certain, for all these species, except the last, have an Oriental distribution, and

it is possible that some of them were brought from 8.-E. Asia by immigrant

Polynesians, and in this way distributed through the Pacific.

The adults may be separated from one another by Bezzi’s key, which, in

so far as it relates to Samoa, is here reproduced :—

1. (2) Fourth abdominal segment in both sexes reddish and clothed

with golden dust ; occiput black ; frontal stripe in both sexes

more narrow than one of the parafrontalia; parafrontalia

and parafacialia with golden dust, but the face quite black ;

parafacialia almost bare, with only a few hairs below near

the eyes; propleura and prosternum bare or nearly so;

metapleura with a few hairs; anterior dorso-centrals well

developed; one pair of strong prescutellar acrostichals ;

three sternopleurals; third abdominal segment without

bristles at hind border. . peltata Aldrich.

(J) Fourth abdominal segment quite ince and without golden

dust; frontal stripe as broad as, or broader than, one of

Spreraelth ; face always grey or whitish

(6) Only two sternopleurals, at least in male; prosternum and

propleura densely pilose; parafrontalia and parafacialia of

male conspicuously golden-dusted.

4, (5) Wings strongly infuscated; parafacialia quite destitute of

bristles or hairs; no distinct prescutellar acrostichals ;

superior claspers of male genitalia with a strong preapical

angle; penis without long appendages : . rhynchura Bezzi.

5. (4) Wings quite hyaline; a row of parafacial ie fee one

ae of weak prescutellar acrostichals; superior diesen

greatly attenuated ; penis with long Giebifonts appendages . cirrhura Bezzi.

6. (5) Three sternopleurals ; prosternum and propleura bare or nearly

so; parafrontalia and parafacialia grey or whitish, never

conspicuously golden.

7. (8) Paipi distinctly reddish or quite yellowish ; postocular cilia in

but one row; parafacialia with many rows of hairs; two

strong post-sutural dorso-centrals and one acrostichal ;

metapleura bare. : : : : : : . orchidea Bottcher

(7) Palpi quite black.

. (12) Postocular cilia in but one row; ocellars strong; hind tibiae

fringed ; superior claspers regularly acute.

SARCOPHAGIDAKE. 143

10. (11) Superior claspers gradually attenuated to the end . 3 . dux Thomson.

11. (10) Superior claspers with a thin spiniform process at end. . froggatti Taylor.

12. (9) Postocular cilia in 2-3 rows; ocellars thin; hind tibiae quite

bare; superior claspers with a small point at end ‘ . fuscicauda Bottcher.

1. Sarcophaga dux Thomson (Text-figs. 1; 2A; 3A; 4A; 5; 6 A).

In a letter to me, Aldrich says: “ This is the species which Johnston and

Tiegs identified as misera Walker ; but Walker’s type is a female and | certainly

could not identify it myself if I were

to see it. . . . It is possible that a

varietal name will apply to these

specimens. ”

This species was commonly bred

in Apia from carrion, and once from 19mm.

human faeces. Specimens were also Text-ric. 1—Sarcophaga duz Thomson: mouth-

collected at Falelatai, Upolu, and vee third stage larva, separated by dis-

Pago Pago, Tutuila.

The species is known to occur in Fiji and many parts of the Oriental Region.

The following notes on the third stage /arva are based upon a single specimen,

from a batch which produced adults of this species only. The mouth-parts

are shown in Text-fig. 1, and call for no remark. The anterior spiracles (Text-

fig. 2A) have eleven openings, arranged in one row. The posterior end of the

larva is shown in Text-figs. 3A and 6A. In this species papillae f, e and a are

small, d, 6 and c, longer and

pointed. The supra-anal papilla

(s.a.) 1s blunt. If one may rely on

a single specimen, the posterior

spiracular cavity is shallower than

in the other species, and the lower

margin is nearly straight. The

posterior spiracles (Text-fig. 4 A)

are provided with broad slits,

—— ————. 0.5 mm.

Text-ric. 2.—Sarcophaga dux Thomson (A), and ; :

S. fuscicauda Bottcher (B): anterior spiracle which are crossed by a relatively

of third stage larva. small number of bars.

The puparvum is described from several dozen empty cases, from which

identified adults had been bred. It is dark red-brown, robust and heavily

144 INSECTS OF SAMOA.

TExtT-FIG. 3.—Sarcophaga dux Thomson (A), S. fuscicauda Bottcher (B), and S. peltata Aldrich

(C): right side of posterior extremity of third stage larva; d, e, and f, superior papillae,

a, b, and c inferior papillae ; s.a, supra-anal papilla.

4 0.5mm.

% @, © §

Text-Fic. 4.—Sarcophaga dux Thomson (A), and S. fuscicauda Bottcher (B): posterior spiracle

of larva. Sarcophaga duz Thomson (C), and S. peltata Aldrich (D): posterior spiracle of

puparium.

2.0mm.

Text-tic. 5.—Sarcophaga dux Thomson: posterior extremity of puparium, A from side, B from

end.

SARCOPHAGIDAE. 145

chitinized, with all intersegmental lines clearly defined by transverse surface

markings, but the intersegmental areas not depressed, so that the outline is

smooth in profile (Text-fig. 5, A and B). Size 10 to 11 mm., by 4:0 mm.

Posterior spiracular cavity deep, wider than high, with rugose margin, but the

larval papillae hardly to be distinguished ; margin deeply notched at the side,

and prolonged dorsally to form a ridge, which lies between two smooth rounded

areas, and ventrally to ferm a distinct keel; rounded supra-anal papillae at

each end of a transverse ridge (Text-fig. 5, A and B). Posterior spiracle as

shown in Text-fig. 4 C.

Greene, using material collected in Honolulu, has already figured and to

some extent described the puparium of this species.

2. Sarcophaga froggatti Taylor.

Sarcophaga knabi Parker.

This species, which is widely distributed in the Oriental Region and in

Australia, was probably rare in Apia, and was bred once only, from horse manure.

It was also taken at Safune, Savaii, below 1,000 feet, 1.v.1924 (Bryan). Hopkins

took it on carrion, at Nukualofa and Vavau, Tonga, 11. and 111.1925.

The early stages were not collected.

3. Sarcophaga orchidea Béttcher.

There are only two Samoan records, Apia, vil.1925 (Wilder), and Pago

Pago, iv.1924 (Bryan). The specimens referred to are females, and we never

bred this species; I was therefore inclined to question the records, but Bezzi

assured me that both sexes are readily distinguished by the reddish palpi, and

by the fact that the parafacialia bear many rows of fine short hairs.

I took this species in a number of the islands of the New Hebrides, and it is

known to occur in New Guinea, the Philippines and other parts of the Oriental

Region.

We did not collect the early stages of this insect.

4. Sarcophaga fuscicauda Boéttcher (Text-figs. 2 B, 3 B, 4 B, 6 B).

In a letter, Aldrich writes that “ S. fuscicauda appears to be the same species

as that which Johnston and Tiegs identified as crrequieta Walker, and afterwards

as peregrina R.-D. Walker’s type specimen is a female and can hardly be

identified ; I doubt very much the identification with peregrina, as there are no

types in existence and the description is almost meaningless.”

146 INSECTS OF SAMOA.

During 1924 and 1925 we bred large numbers of this species in Apia, from

a dead rat, bat, fish, crab and snail; also from human faeces, and single in-

dividuals from rotten pumpkin and passion fruit. Swezey and Wilder took it

at Malololelei, at 2,000 feet, vii.1923 ; it has also been taken at Lauliu, Tutuila,

11.1926 (Judd).

S. fuscicauda, first described from material from Formosa, is also known

to occur in Hawaii, Fiji, the Philippine Is., Japan, Singapore, Burma, and India.

TExtT-Fie. 6.—Sarcophaga dux Thomson (A), and S. fuscicauda Béttcher (B): profile of posterior

extremity of third stage larva. Lettering as in Text-fig. 3.

The third stage larva is known from a single specimen. The mouth-parts

are not distinguishable from those of S. dux. The anterior spiracle has about

twenty-four openings, arranged in two irregular arcuate rows (Text-fig. 2B).

The posterior extremity is characteristic ; all the six papillae (a to f) are small,

SARCOPHAGIDAE. 147

rounded, and closely resemble one another; the supra-anal papilla is long and

acuminate (Text-figs. 3 B and 6 B). The posterior spiracular cavity is wide.

The posterior spiracles have long narrow slits with numerous bars (Text-fig. 4 B).

No puparia of this species were preserved by us in Samoa. The puparium

is thus described by Greene from specimens collected in Honolulu : “ Large, dull,

dark red. Posterior cavity deep, diameter large, located centrally on the

longitudinal axis ; tubercles on outer edge of cavity indistinct. Each spiracular

plate is reddish-black with three yellow, narrow slits, the third slit much shorter

than the other two: first slit deeply curved on lower half toward the lower end

of the middle slit; middle slits about parallel; spiracular plates separated by a

space slightly less than the width of one plate. Anal opening some distance

from the edge of the cavity ; each side of the anal opening is a conical tubercle,

these tubercles are widely separated. Posterior end of puparium shows two seg-

ments slightly more pronounced than the others. Anterior spiracles close to

anterior end of puparium ; each spiracle has twenty-seven small yellow lobes,

five of these are below the edge and on the outside surface of the spiracle ;_ basal

part of the spiracle reddish-brown.

Length, 9 mm.; diameter, 3-5 mm.”

The puparium is also figured by Greene.

5. Sarcophaga (Oxysarcodexia) peltata Aldrich (Text-frgs. 3 C, 4 D, 7, 8).

Sarcophaga taitensrs Schiner (2).

Aldrich’s S. peltata, which was described from specimens from Porto Rico

and Florida, is also known to occur in Central America. Aldrich says definitely,

by letter, that the Samoan species and his S. peltata are identical, and he thinks

that they may be Schiner’s S. taitensis, which has many years’ priority. Bezzi is

inclined to separate the Central American S. peltata, of which he says that the face

is ““ broadly greyish in middle,” from the species which occurs in Samoa, of which

the face is wholly black ; but even if it is established that the species are different,

the status of S. taitensis is uncertain pending the study of topotypical material.

This species, whatever its correct name, is easily distinguished from the

others which occur in Samoa, by the fourth abdominal segment being yellow and

covered with golden pollen. In Apia it was common, and frequently bred from

human faeces ; 1t was also bred from horse and cow droppings, and once from a

dead guinea-pig. On Upolu it occurred as high as Malololelei, at about 2,000

feet ; it was also collected in Tutuila and Savaii.

148 INSECTS OF SAMOA.

Bezzi remarks that the difference between the adults of this species and

the others are perhaps sufficient to justify its being placed in the separate genus

Oxysarcodexia. It is interesting, therefore, to find that the larva is also dis-

tinctive, though at present our knowledge of early stages of Sarcophaga is hardly

sufficient to allow this evidence to be weighed.

In the third stage larva the mouth parts cannot be distinguished from

those of S. dux. The anterior spiracles (as shown by the examination of one

larva and many puparia) have ten to fourteen openings, arranged in a single

regular row. At the posterior end of the larva the papillae f, d, and 6 are long ;

2.0mm.

10mm.

Text-Fic. 7.—Sarcophaga peltata Aldrich: Trxt-ric. 8.—Sarcophaga peltata Aldrich : puparium

profile of posterior extremity of third —A from side, B from end. Lettering as in

stage larva. Lettering as in Text-fig. 3. Text-fig. 3.

e, a, and c are small; the supra-anal papilla is blunt (Text-fig. 3 C and 7). The

posterior cavity is round and deep. The posterior spiracles closely resemble

those of S. fuscicauda, but, so far as can be judged from a single example, the

rim is less heavily chitinized.

The puparium, as shown by two complete examples and a number of empty

cases, 1s fragile, lightly chitinized and dull brown, with the whole surface finely

and irregularly granular, so that the intersegmental lines can only be distin-

guished with difficulty. Size 7-0 mm. by 3-0 mm. The posterior spiracular

cavity is wide and regularly rounded, with margins not rugose but prolonged

into definite pointed papillae, which, when viewed from the side, are very cha-

racteristic. These papillae correspond with those of the larva, and the longest

SARCOPHAGIDAE. 149

isb; the puparium of this insect differs in this respect from the puparia of S. dux

and S. cirrhura, in which the larval papillae cannot be identified. In the present

species there is no dorsal ridge; the ventral keel is ill-defined, and the supra-

anal papillae are blunt (Text-fig. 8, A and B). The posterior spiracles are dis-

tinguished at once from those of S. dux by the upward prolongation of the'slits

(Text-fig. 4 D).

6. Sarcophaga cirrhura Bezzi (Text-fig. 9).

This species is closely related to S. rhynchura, with which it forms a small,

peculiar group, apparently endemic to Samoa and characterized by the possession

+ 2.0mm.

Trext-ric. 9.—Sarcophaga cirrhura Bezzi: posterior extremity of puparium, A trom side,

B from end.

of only two sternopleural bristles, and by the densely pilose prosternum and

propleura. The type male was bred at Apia from a dead rat, viil.1925; other

males were collected at Siumu, Upolu, 11.1923 (Armstrong), and Safune, Savaii,

between sea-level and 1,000 feet, v.1924 (Bryan). The female is unknown,’ and

perhaps unrecognisable.

The larva is likewise unknown. The pwpariwm described is that of the

male type. It resembles that of Sarcophaga dux in the surface sculpturing,

and in being large, robust, and dark in colour. Size 11:0 mm. by 4:0 mm.

(Anterior spiracles missing in specimen examined.) The posterior spiracular

cavity differs from that of Sarcophaga dux in being more nearly circular, with

margins less rugose, and more sharply defined ; dorsal ridge absent (Text-fig. 9) ;

150 INSECTS OF SAMOA.

ventral keel definite ; a transverse ridge above anus, ending in pointed papillae.

In profile the posterior extremity is rectangular, above and below (Text-fig. 9,

A and B). The posterior spiracles resemble those of S. dux, except that they

are proportionately wider (since only one puparium is available for study, this

apparent difference may be due to distortion in mounting). The mouth-parts

are indistinguishable from those of Sarcophaga dux.

7. Sarcophaga rhynchura Bezzi.

Hasily recognisable in the male sex by the infuscated wings; the species

is only known from material from Savaii, where specimens were taken at Salailua

and Safune,* between sea-level and 1,000 feet, v.1924 (Bryan). |

The early stages are unknown.

REFERENCES.

Brzzi, M.: Some Sarcophagid Flies (Diptera) from the South Pacific Islands: Ann. and Mag.

Nat. Hist., (9) Vol. 19, pp. 301-309, 1927.

GREENE, C. T.: The Puparia and Larvae of Sarcophagid Flies: Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., No. 2566,

Vol. 66, Art. 29, pp. 1-26, Pls. 1-9, 1925.

Stnton, J.A.: Some Cases of Myiasis in India and Persia, with a Description of the Larvae causing

the Lesions: Ind. Journ. Med. Research, Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 182-162, Pls. VII-X, and 8 Text-

figs, July, 1921.

LIST OF TEXT-FIGURES.

Text-fig. 1. Sarcophaga dux Thomson: mouth-parts of third stage larva, separated by dissection.

», 2. Sarcophaga duz Thomson (A), and S. fuscicauda Bottcher (B): anterior spiracle of

third stage larva.

., 8. Sarcophaga duz Thomson (A), S. fuscicauda Béttcher (B), and S. peltata Aldrich (C) :

right side of posterior extremity of third stage larva; d, e, and/, superior papillae,

a, b, and ¢ inferior papillae ;_s.a, supra-anal papilla.

» 4. Sarcophaga dux Thomson (A), and S. fuscicauda Béttcher (B): posterior spiracle of

larva. Sarcophaga dux Thomson (C), and S. peltata Aldrich (D): posterior

spiracle of puparium.

», 9. Sarcophaga dux Thomson : posterior extremity of puparium, A from side, B from end.

», 6. Sarcophaga duz Thomson (A), and S. fuscicauda Béttcher (B): profile of posterior

extremity of third stage larva. Lettering as in Text-fig. 3.

», 7. Sarcophaga peltata Aldrich : profile of posterior extremity of third stage larva. Letter-

ing as in Text-fig. 3.

,», 8. Sarcophaga peltata Aldrich: puparium—A from side, B from end. Lettering as in

Text-fig. 3.

» 9. Sarcophaga cirrhura Bezzi: posterior extremity of puparium, A from side, B from

end.

* Not “ Lafune ”’ as given in Bezzi’s original description (Ann and Mag. Nat. Hist., (9) Vol. 19,

p. 306, 1927),

MUSCIDAE.

By J. R. Matiocn, Bureau of Biological Survey, Washington, D.C., U.S.A.

In keeping with general practice in recent literature, this family is treated in

the following pages as including the Anthomyiidae of the older authors.

Bezzi (Diptera Brachycera and Athericera of the Fiji Islands, pp. 167-185,

1928) records fifteen genera, twenty-one species, and one variety, of the family

as represented in Fiji. In the Samoan material before me I find representatives

of eleven genera, twenty-five species, two of which cannot be determined, and

two varieties. Of those recorded by Bezzi as found in Fiji, but not included in

the present material, Ophyra Robineau-Desvoidy occurs in Samoa, making thus

twelve genera and twenty-six species. Of the others, Gastrophilus Leach is an

introduced genus, and like Passeromyia Villeneuve and Rodhain, and Orthellia

Robineau-Desvoidy, may yet be found in Samoa; the two species referred by

Bezzi to Coenosia do not belong there.

The family Muscidae includes some species that are of considerable economic

importance to man. The larvae of many of them live in flesh and preserved

meats, and sometimes gain entrance to the stomach or intestinal tract in human

beings, causing myiasis, while the adults of others, particularly of the common

house-fly, are held responsible for the conveyance of the germs of certain diseases.

Many of the species are of course perfectly innocuous, and some are to some

extent beneficial ; but in order to arrive at a true estimate of their importance,

it would be essential to determine their status in all stages and in all their relations

to other organisms in their natural environment, an undertaking of considerable

magnitude even in this limited faunal region.

Under each genus I have made a comparison with the Fijian species recorded

by Bezzi in the work mentioned above, and in the case of one or two genera I

have described species which, though extralimital, may yet be found to occur

in Samoa.

One feature which is common to this collection, and to that from Fiji reported

on by Bezzi, is the lack of any species belonging to the subfamily Anthomytinae,

151

152 INSECTS OF SAMOA.

even the almost cosmopolitan Hylemyia cilicrura Rondani being absent. It is

a fact, however, that this subfamily is much rarer in the Australasian region

than in any other, and possibly there are no endemic species in either Samoa or

Wii. The habits of the representatives of the genera of Anthomyiinae, where

the latter occur, are so varied that the absence of these species from any region

would indicate that some factor other than mere habits is responsible.

It will be noted that, of the new species in this family described by Bezzi

from material from Fiji, only one is mentioned in the present paper as occurring

in Samoa; this species, Limnophora mesolissa, is probably very widely distri-

buted in the islands of this region, in fact I have seen females from New Guinea

which I am certain belong to it. Of the genera mentioned below as having

representatives in Samoa, only one, Pectiniseta Stein, is not known to occur in

Hiji, but it is entirely probable that this genus is represented there, and also in

Samoa, by the genotype, since that species is rather widely distributed in the

region.

Although I have not actually seen specimens of them, as I have stated

above, the two species referred by Bezzi to Coenosia do not belong to that

genus ; judging from the descriptions, they possibly are referable to Lispocephala

Pokorny, a genus which is cosmopolitan, very well represented in the Orient,

and contains a large number of species, some groups of which are probably entitled

to subgeneric segregation. By far the largest number of species in any one faunal

section occurs in the Hawaiian Islands, whence J have seen specimens of thirty-

four species, which constitute possibly 75 per cent. of the indigenous Muscid

fauna of the islands. It would appear strange, if there is as close an affinity

between the Samoan and Hawaiian fauna in certain other groups as is indicated,

that this genus, which is so strongly represented in Hawaii, should be absent

from Samoa. I can only believe that the material now in my hands represents

but a portion of the species which occur in Samoa, and it is entirely probable

that, when a complete collection has been made, the genus will be found to be

represented there, though no doubt far less numerous in species and individuals

than in Hawaii.

The absence of Fannia canicularis Linn. from the Samoan and Fijian col-

lections is worth noting, as is also that of Muscina stabulans Fabr. ; it would be

of interest to make a special attempt to discover if the former at least is not

present, or, if really absent, to note if and when it appears.

MUSCIDAE. 153

LISPINAE.

Of the three genera included in this subfamily, only one is represented in

the Samoan material.

Lispa Latreille.

Bezzi records only Lispa assimilis Wiedemann as occurring in Fiji. I

have before me examples of three species from Samoa, two of them evidently

undescribed, and specimens of one undescribed species from the New Hebrides,

the description of which is included herein.

I have seen a specimen of L. tentaculata De Geer, from Viti Levu, Fiji, in

the Hamburg Museum.

1. Lispa assimilis Wiedemann.

This is one of the most widely distributed of oriental species. Stein has

recorded it as found in Australia, but I have seen no specimens from that

continent.

Apia: vi-vii.1913 (Doane).

Specimens submitted by Professor R. W. Doane, of Leland-Stanford

University.

2. Lispa isolata, sp. n.

3d. Head black ; frons deep black, slightly shining, triangle slightly dusted

with yellowish ; orbits densely dusted with yellow from middle forward, face

densely dusted with golden yellow, cheeks dusted with greyish yellow, merging

into grey of occiput ; a large brown mark on each side of occiput, and one in

centre connecting with dark vertex; antennae black, apex of second segment

pale; palpi orange-yellow ; frons in middle about one-third of width of head,

narrowed slightly at vertex and in front; all verticals long, ocellars as long as

inner verticals ; post-verticals very small, parallel; parafacials haired; arista

plumose; third antennal segment extending almost to mouth; palpi hardly

dilated, club-shaped. Thorax black, with dense grey dust; dorsum with five

broad, shining, black-brown vittae, broader than intervening grey spaces,

median vitta extending to apex of scutellum ; pleura with blackish vitta along

upper margin; posterior pair of presutural and two posterior pairs of post-

sutural dorsocentrals strong, anterior pair of presutural and two anterior pairs

of postsuturals very short and fine; sternopleurals 3. Abdomen narrow ovate,

154 INSECTS OF SAMOA.

coloured like thorax ; each tergite from first to fourth with a pair of large, sub-

quadrate, shining, black-brown spots, which are more or less extensively fused

anteriorly, in 9 usually leaving only a small, grey, wedge-shaped, pale mark on

posterior margin and extending over almost all visible dorsal surface ; lateral

margins of some of apical tergites with an additional dark spot; fifth and sixth

tergites dusted with yellowish-grey, sixth blackish on sides; superior pair of

hypopygial forceps fused, forming a broad convex plate, which is narrowed

slightly to apex and has a small, rounded emargination in tip; lateral processes

rounded in lateral view. Legs black, tibiae reddish-yellow ; front tabia without

median posterior bristle ; middle femur normal in structure ; middle tibia with

median posterior bristle; hind femur with about three widely spaced antero-

ventral bristles in 3, none in 9, and one or two bristles near middle of postero-

ventra! surface ; hind tibia with one anterodorsal and one anteroventral bristle.

Wings brownish hyaline ; inner cross vein close to middle of discal cell; veins

three and four subparallel at tips. Squamae and halteres yellow.

Length, 6-6-5 mm.

Upolu: Vailima, type, allotype, and thirty-seven paratypes, 26.11.1925 ;

Malololelei, one paratype, 26.iv.1924. Tutuila: Pago Pago, one paratype,

14,x11.1925. :

The last mentioned specimen has the thoracic vittae almost fused, a character

which is less evident in the other examples.

3. Lispa albifacies, sp. n.

dg. Head fuscous; frons, face, and cheeks densely dusted with white,

almost silvery, dust on frons appearing to vary according to angle from which

it is viewed; antennae fuscous, second segment dusted with whitish at apex ;

palpi fuscous, with dense whitish dust on dilated portions ; frons at vertex about

one-third of width of head, slightly narrowed in front; ocellars longer than

postverticals, all four verticals present and well developed, each orbit with four

or five bristles and some long hairs; triangle extending almost to anterior

margin ; antennae long, third segment about twice as long as second and reaching

almost to mouth margin ; parafacials bare ; arista long haired above and below ;

palpi dilated, spoon-like ; cheek about as high as width of third antennal seg-

ment. Thorax and abdomen fuscous, densely dusted with grey. (Type speci-

men greasy, so that it is impossible to make certain of markings, but thoracic

dorsum apparently without vittae, while abdomen shows indications of dark

MUSCIDAE. 155

dorsal spots.) Thorax (damaged in case of type) apparently with 2+3 pairs

of long dorsocentrals, and with surface hairs rather long and evenly distributed ;

sternopleurals 1+-1. Abdomen narrowly ovate; bristles on apex of fourth

visible tergite and on middle of fifth long and strong, those on middle of fourth

shorter ; superior hypopygial forceps gradually tapered to apices, shghtly curved

upward towards venter, with tips glossy dark brown and simple. Legs fuscous,

tips of femora narrowly pale, bases of tibiae yellowish, rather broadly so in case

of front pair; front femur with posteroventral bristles hair-like, long at base,

becoming short towards tip; front tibia without a median posterior bristle,

its tip with three long bristles; middle femur attenuated apically, without

exceptional armature; middle tibia with one posterior median bristle; hind

femur with one bristle near middle on anteroventral surface, and two bristles

on basal half of posteroventral surface; hind tibia with hairs a little longer

than usual, and one anterodorsal and one anteroventral bristle beyond middle ;

hind tarsus with fine outstanding hairs on one side, basal segment with a hirsute

lobe on posterior side, causing it to be much wider than remaining segments,

lobe projecting forward at tip, but not extending beyond end of main portion

of segment. Wings greyish hyaline; inner cross vein a little beyond middle

of discal cell; veins three and four parallel at tips. Squamae white. Halteres

fuscous.

Length, 4:5 mm.

Upolu: Siumu, type, 24.x1.1923 (Armstrong).

This species belongs to the same group as L. metatarsata Stem and L. cana

Walker, but the longer antennae, long-haired arista, and the bristling of the

legs, distinguish it from either of those species.

34. Lispa fuscipalpis, sp. n.

gS. Similar in general coloration to L. isolata, but palpi fuscous, face pale

sulphur-yellow dusted, cheeks white dusted, thoracic vittae not so sharply

defined as usual in L. isolata, and a dark mark, large and rather ill-defined,

behind anterior thoracic spiracle, instead of a dark upper marginal vitta.

Differing structurally from ZL. isolata in having palpi slightly, but noticeably,

dilated at apices, and only the two pairs of postsutural dorsocentrals strong,

remainder being indistinguishable.

Length, 5-5 mm.

New Hebrides: Tanna, type, xi.1925 (Buxton).

156 INSECTS OF SAMOA.

The above description is published here because it appears desirable to

indicate species of possible occurrence in Samoa.

The foregoing species may be separated as follows :

1. First posterior cell quite noticeably narrowed at apex, owing to

slight forward curvature of tip of fourth vein; front tibia with

median posterior bristle; hind tibia with median esi ee

bristle . : assimilis Wiedemann.

— First posterior cell not arroned at cease “vital pection af fount vein

straight, or almost so; front tibia without median posterior

bristle ; hind tibia without median posterodorsal bristle. : 2.

2. Hind tarsus of ¢ with basal segment exceptionally ae para-

facials bare. . . albifacies, sp. n.

— Hind tarsus of $ normal, Tes sepunenty not midlen than Seger) 3 para-

facials with fine hairs on their entire extent. : 3.

3. Posterior pair of presutural dorsocentral bristles strong ; “ao

orange-yellow : ‘ . solata, sp. 0.

— No well-developed presutural dorsoeentrals: ; palpi fuscous ‘ . fuscipalpis, sp. n.

FANNIINAE.

The Samoan material before me includes representatives of but a single

genus of this subfamily.

Fannia Robineau-Desvoidy.

This genus is most abundantly represented in the Palearctic and Nearctic

regions, though there are also many species in South and Central America.

Three species, including the cosmopolitan F. caniewaris Linn., are known to

exist in Australia. Bezzi described as new a species occurring in the Fij1 Islands,

but he had only females, and I very much doubt the possibility of identifying a

species of the puso group, to which his F. glabella evidently belongs, in this

sex. I find it practically impossible to separate the females of the three North

American species of this group, and I believe that until males of F. glabella

Bezzi are taken it must remain a doubtful species.

Representatives of only one species of Fannia are included in the Samoan

material.

4. Fannia pusio Wiedemann.

This may be F. glabella Bezzi. It is the only small, all-black species of the

sroup in which the abdomen of the male has three black spots on each tergite

that has the hind tibia long haired ventrally. In this and the closely related

species there are microscopic hairs on the parafacials, a character not met with

MUSCIDAE. 157

elsewhere in the genus, or in fact in the family, except in Lispimae and certain

Australasian species related to Melanochelia Rondani.

This and allied species have been found in North America, in the larval

stages, feeding upon dead shell-fish, and the larvae and puparia from which

adults have been reared were found in insect breeding-cages, and in birds ’-nests.

In America, F’. pusio occurs in the Southern States and subtropical portions.

I have seen no examples from the Indo-Australian region other than those

now before me.

Upolu: Apia, 1 g, 2 2, 23.v.1925; 2 2, same locality, reared from rotten

fish, 11.1925. Savaii: Safune, 1 g, 12.v.1924 (Bryan).

COENOSIINAE.

This subfamily is difficult to distinguish from the Phaoninae, the only

character that appears to be of consequence for this purpose consisting in the

presence of but one backwardly directed bristle on the upper portion of the

frontal orbits in Coenosiinae and of two such bristles in Phaoniinae. If this be

accepted as the criterion, Atherigona Meigen must be assigned to the Coenosiinae,

but it is not very appropriately placed therein, most species of Coenosiinae being

predacious in the adult stage, while Atherigona adults are not so. In the present

paper I include two genera in the subfamily. As already mentioned, I suspect

that the two Fijian species described by Bezzi under Coenosia actually belong

to another genus.

Orchisia Rondani.

5. Orchisia costata Meigen.

This is a widely distributed species, occurring in Southern Europe, Africa,

Asia, and throughout the Pacific region to Australia. It has been recorded by

Bezzi as found in Fiji.

Readily recognised by the costal margin of the wings being infuscated, and

their hind margins and apices white ; one of the few genera in which the scutellum

has but two strong marginal bristles.

Savai: Matavanu crater, 10 specimens, 13.v.1924 (Bryan).

Atherigona Rondani.

With the exception of one very widely distributed species, this genus is

strictly confined to the Old World. The species (A. excisa Thomson) that occurs

Vi. 3 4

158 INSECTS OF SAMOA.

in America infests decaying fruits, and has been introduced by commerce from

the tropics of the Eastern Hemisphere.

Under Atherigona, Bezzi records as found in Fiji three species, including

two described by him as new, and one variety.

In addition to the three species in question, [ have seen specimens of A.

laeta Wiedemann from Fiji.

There are examples of four species in the material before me, but of these

one is represented by a female only, and is unidentifiable. Those species and

A. laeta are included in the key given helow.

KEY TO THE SPECIES.

1. Wings with a dark cloud at apex . : ; : ‘ 2 . hendersoni Malloch.

— Wines entirely Cay atapex . : : : : : : 2.

2. Males : : : ; : 3 : ‘ 5 3.

—Females . < : 6.

3. Front femur with a quite cenned aniarsee on mpper side near tip,

beyond which dorsal surface is furnished with dense decumbent

hairs. ; 4.

— Front femur without a Gomera or dene ceonvent apical fairs on

upper side. é : . : ‘ : : : ; 5.

4. Palpifuscous. : : : : 5 : d : . excisa (Thomson).

— Palpi testaceous . : ‘ ; : . excisa var.

5. Upper portions of frontal arbite plosey black , : . laeta Wiedemann.

— Hntire frontal orbits densely dusted with pale grey, not shining . samoaénsis, Sp. 0.

6. Upper portions of frontal orbits shining black, without grey cues . laeta Wiedemann.

— Entire frontal orbits densely dusted ih pale grey, not shining : 7.

7. Palpi yellow 4 : ‘ A ; : é : : . samoaénsis, sp. 0.

— Palpi black or fuscous . A : : : : : : : 8.

8. Humeri yellow . : : ‘ : : . i : . excisa (Thomson).

—Humeri black . : : : 4 : : : : « -8p. 2

6. Atherigona hendersoni Malloch.

I have compared the Samoan female specimen with the type series of this

species from Henderson Island, and can detect no structural distinction between

them.

Upolu: Apia, 23.v.1924.

7. Atherigona excisa (Thomson).

The larvae of this species, which is evidently very common in the islands,

feed in decaying fruits and vegetation, and at times in decaying animal matter.

MUSCIDAE. 159

Most of the specimens before me are from Upolu, particularly from Apia,

but there are examples from Tutuila (Pago Pago). Possibly the species will be

found in all the islands where suitable habitats occur.

8. Atherigona samoaénsis, sp. 0.

32. Head testaceous, occiput fuscous, densely dusted throughout with

yellowish-erey, frontal orbits not shining, uniformly grey, interfrontalia black-

brown, paler in front; first two antennal segments reddish, third segment

fuscous ; arista fuscous; palpi yellow. Thorax fuscous, densely dusted with

yellowish grey, humeral angles slightly testaceous, disc of mesonotum with three

faint dark vittae, each lateral vitta lear; scutellum hardly yellow at apex in

3, noticeably so in 2. Abdomen in J testaceous, infuscated above and densely

dusted with grey, first visible tergite with a pair of pale brown spots, second

and third tergites each with a pair of large lateral fuscous spots and a fuscous

central line ; chitinous prominence on sixth tergite of 3 with two widely divergent

cylindrical processes at apex, not contiguous at base, with slightly upcurved

tips, and about twice as long as thick; abdomen in @ with spots on second

and third tergites fused. Legs testaceous, front femora and tibiae fuscous except

at base, front tarsi fuscous, apical segment slightly paler, in both sexes without

abnormal hairs ; front femur in § normal, and with one or two preapical postero-

ventral bristles. Wangs: inner cross vein a little proximad of middle of discal

cell; fourth vein very slightly curved forward apically.

Leneth, 3-3-5 mm.

Savaii: Safune, lower forest, 1,000-2,000 feet, type ¢ and allotype, 3.v.1924

(Bryan).

In my recently published key to the Sumatran species, A. samoaénsis will

work out as A. bituberculata Malloch, but it is distinguishable from the latter

by its entirely yellow palpi, and by the larger, more widely separated, and

shghtly upcurved processes of the sixth abdominal tergite in the J.

Atherigona, sp. ?

A 2 specimen in the collection before me differs from the 2 of A. samoaensis

in having the antennae entirely black, and the abdomen much darker, with the

dorsal spots larger.

Length, 3-5 mm.

Savai: Safune, lower forest, 1,000-2,000 feet, 5.v.1924 (Bryan).

160 INSECTS OF SAMOA.

PHAONIINAE.

Pygophora Schiner.

This genus occurs in Africa, the Orient, throughout the islands of the Pacific

and Indian Oceans, and in Australia. Bezzi described one species from material

from Fiji. There are specimens of two new species in the Samoan material,

and a 9 of another which I cannot identify specifically.

Originally the genus was distinguished from other genera in the family by

the presence of a short, stout, apical process on the ventral side of the hind

tibia, but this is strictly a male character, and moreover it does not occur in the

males of most of the species that are referable to the genus. The essential generic

characters are found in the arrangement of the orbital bristles in both sexes, as

pointed out by me in a previous paper dealing with the genus. The distinctions

between this and other genera will be clearly stated in a forthcoming paper on

the genera of Muscidae of the world, which is now practically ready for the press.

9. Pygophora buxtoni, sp. n.

This species is very much like the Fijian P. ctenophora Bezzi, with a specimen

of which, from Nadi, Fiji, I have compared it. The male, however, lacks the

transverse stripe of dense, microscopic, black hairs on each side of the fourth

abdominal tergite. In the males of both species there are two parallel series

of short, fine bristles near the apex of the middle femur on the posteroventral

surface.

¢. Head normal, frons widened anteriorly, ocellars short and fine ; antennae

extending almost to mouth; head fuscous, occiput densely dusted with grey,

frons with orbits and frontal triangle dusted with golden yellow, central stripe

rufous; face and cheeks yellow, densely dusted with yellow; antennae and

palpi lemon yellow; arista yellow. Thorax normal, fuscous, densely dusted

with grey, with three more or less pronounced dark dorsal vittae. Abdomen

testaceous yellow, third to fifth tergites dark above, densely dusted with grey,

third and fourth each with three, fourth with two dark spots; fourth and fifth

visible tergites not compressed, former without apical keel and bristles, and

with only sparse decumbent setulae on sides, its distal margin with some rather

dense and moderately long bristles low down on sides; ventral lobes rounded

and bare, glossy yellow. Legs yellow: posterior median bristle on front tibia

long and curled ; middle coxae with fasciculate spine not very stout; middle

femur with a few long posteroventral and anteroventral bristles, posteroventral

MUSCIDAE. 161

surface with two short series of fine bristles near apex ; middle tibia with a long,

fine bristle near base and another in middle on posterior side ; hind femur with

about four very short, stubby bristles on posterior surface near base, two long

posteroventral bristles near middle, and a few bristles along anteroventral

surface, long at base and becoming very short apically ; hind tibia with three

anterodorsal and about six posterodorsal bristles, apical two on anterodorsal

and bristle near middle on posterodorsal surface very long. Wings greyish,

with a faint dark cloud on apical half, more evident costally ; imner cross vein

near middle of discal cell. Squamae whitish. Halteres yellow.

may be distinguished from its allies by having basal bristle on posterior side of

middle tibia much nearer base than usual in Pygophora ; middle tibia with no

median anterodorsal bristle.

Length, 6-5-7 mm.

Tutuila: Pago Pago, type 3, allotype, and one paratype 4, 19.iv.1924

(Bryan); Tutuila, two paratype 9, 23, 25.1x.1923 (Swezey and Wilder) ;

Tutuila, one paratype 2, 18.iv. (Kellers).

Named in honour of Mr. P. A. Buxton.

Pygophora, sp.

A 9, which it is impossible to identify specifically, has the legs much darker

than those of P. buxtoni, the femora being entirely black, and the tarsi brown.

In default of a 3, I do not care to give a name to this species.

Length, 6 mm.

Savaii: Safune, 2.v.1924, rain forest, 2,000—4,000 feet (Bryan).

10. Pygophora hopkinsi, sp. n.

This very striking little species belongs to the group in which the males

have long lanceolate bristles on the sides of some of the apical abdominal tergites.

The two species to which it is most closely related are P. lepidofera Stein, and

P. minuta Malloch. From both of these it is readily distinguishable by the

presence of a large dark spot at the tip of the costa of the wings, the others

having the wings entirely hyaline. In P. minuta, which is found in Australia,

the third antennal segment is largely brown, while in P. lepidofera, an Oriental

species, and in P. hopkinsi the entire antennae are bright yellow; P. minuta

also has lanceolate bristles on the third abdominal tergite, while in the other

two species there are only normal bristles on that tergite. It will be extremely

difficult to separate the females, since the above are exclusively male characters.

162 INSECTS OF SAMOA.

In P. hopkinsi and P. lepidofera, the middle coxae of the male each have a long,

strong, backwardly directed spur, but I am unable to say if such occurs in P.

minuta, as | made no mention of it in my description, and the type specimen is

not now available to me.

¢. Head normal, frons widened in front, antennae extending almost to

mouth; head fuscous, occiput densely dusted with grey, frons brownish on

upper portion of central stripe, densely dusted with yellow except on vertex

and ocellar region, which are dusted with grey ; face and cheeks yellow, densely

dusted with yellow ; antennae and palpi bright yellow ; -arista yellow at base,

dark at tip. Thorax normal, fuscous, densely dusted with grey, and without

dark dorsal vittae. Abdomen testaceous yellow, darkened on dorsum apically,

with three dark spots on third, three others on fourth, and two much smaller

spots on fifth visible tergite ; fourth visible tergite distally compressed above,

keel-like, with some long apical central bristles, sides, and those of fifth tergite

also, with many narrowly lanceolate bristles, slightly upcurved at tips and

equally long on both tergites ; processes of fifth sternite with a broad, rounded,

downwardly directed plate. Legs entirely testaceous yellow; tibial bristles

normal, not very long; posteroventral bristles on front femur long and fine ;

middle coxae each with a long, strong, backwardly directed spine; middle

femur without apical posteroventral comb. Wangs clear, with a large dark-

brown mark on costal half extending from near middle of marginal cell to apex

of wing and over third vein, diffuse on margins ; inner cross vein close to middle

of discal cell; tips of veins three and four subparallel; outer cross vein

straight. Squamae whitish. Halteres yellow.

2. Differing from 3 in having almost entirely black femora, middle coxae

without a spine, and abdominal tergites black with yellow hind margins, and

three black spots on each.

Length, 3-5-4-5 mm. :

Tutuila: Pago Pago, type ¢ and allotype, 14.xii.1925; Leone Road,

two paratype 9, 19.11.1924; Pago Pago, one paratype 2, 18.1v.1924 (Bryan).

Upolu: Malololelei, 2,000 feet, two paratypes, 8, 19.vii.1925 (Wilder), one para-

type 9, x1. 1925. Savaii: Safune, two paratype J, one paratype 9, 12, 13.v.1924

(Bryan).

A single 9 from Manua (Tau) is closely similar to P. hopkinsi, but may not

belong to that species.

Named in honour of Mr. G. H. E. Hopkins.

MUSCIDAE. 163

Pectiniseta Stein.

This genus as originally described presents an unique sexual dimorphism,

the arista of the male being fringed with long hairs above and bare below, while

that of the female has long hairs both above and below. In other respects the

genotype is closely similar to Lispocephala Pokorny.

In the Samoan material before me there are two specimens of a species

which agree in most particulars with Pectiniseta, but the arista of the female

has long hairs above and is bare below. I am certain that both sexes are repre-

sented in the collection, but the abdomen of what is evidently the male is missing.

The species is distinct from the genotype, P. prominens Stein, which is the only

species so far referred to the genus. I consider Coenosia pectinata Stein to be a

prior name for the genotype (New Guinea), and I have seen specimens of the geno-

type from Formosa, and Moorea in the Society Islands.

11. Pectiniseta fulvithorax, sp. n.

2. Testaceous yellow, shining. F rons at vertex a little less than one-third

width of head, widened anteriorly ; inner verticals long, outer pair short ;_ post-

verticals shorter than ocellars ; each orbit with three strong bristles, two upper

bristles curved backward, lower one curved inward ; antennae extending almost

to mouth margin; arista plumose above, bare below; palpi slender. Frons

dusted with yellow on triangle and orbits, interfrontalia fuscous; occiput

fuscous, densely dusted with brown-grey ; first two antennal segments fuscous,

third segment yellow; arista fuscous; palpi yellow. Thorax with five dark

vittae, central one broad and continued over disc of scutellum, submedian pair

linear, on lines of dorsocentrals, sublateral pair very faint; 1+3 dorsocentrals,

three sternopleurals ; acrostichal hairs in two series anteriorly, prescutellar

acrostichals not distinct; scutellum with four subequal bristles; pleura

unspotted. Abdomen with weak bristles; a faint dark central mark on first

tergite, and five black spots on each of next three tergites, central one elongate,

submedian pair and sublaterals transverse, former more or less fused with

central spot, sublaterals rather fainter. Legs yellow, slender; front femur with

three or four fine posteroventral bristles ; front tibia without a median posterior

bristle, and with three apical bristles; middle tibia with one median posterior

bristle, and about six unequal apical bristles ; hind femur with one long postero-

164 INSECTS OF SAMOA.

ventral bristle near middle, and one short and one long preapical anteroventral

bristle ; hind tibia with one short anteroventral, two long anterodorsal, and

two short posterodorsal bristles, tip like that of middle tibia. Wangs hyaline,

inner cross vein close to middle of discal cell. Lower squama less than twice

as large as upper.

¢. Differing from 2 in thorax being without dorsal vittae, and in wings

being distinctly clouded at tip, from end of first vein onwards, cloud becoming

faint posteriorly.

Length, 4-5 mm.

Savail: Safune, 2,000-4,000 feet, rain forest, type 9, 23.v.1924; allotype

& (defective), same locality, 8.v.1924 (Bryan).

Limnophora Robineau-Desvoidy.

The name of this genus is used here in its restricted sense, all the species

included having the prosternum and the base of the third vein setulose.

Bezzi records only one Fijian species. Specimens of this and of four other

species, one of which was met with in the Tonga group, are before me. In

other regions the flies are found on the banks of streams and near bodies of

water, and the larvae of at least some of the species are aquatic. A note on the

habits of one Samoan species will be found on p. 166, footnote.

I present below a key for the separation of the Samoan species.

Key TO THE SPECIES.

1. Thorax with three pairs of postsutural dorsocentral bristles, posterior

pair longest ; frons of 3 opaque deep velvety black, about one-

fourth as wide as head, that of 9 a little wider; longest hairs on

arista about as long as its basal diameter ; wings evenly and rather

noticeably infumed in J, less so in 9; abdomen wihout dorsal

spots in either sex, entirely black ; thorax not vittate : . ewnmaculiventris, sp. n.

—- Thorax with four pairs of postsutural dorsocentral bristles, two anterior

pairs much shorter than two posterior pairs; at least abdomen

with distinct grey dusting and black marks on dorsum

2. Thorax entirely black, without any indication of grey dusting ; ore

of § not wider than third antennal segment; small species, not

more than4 mm.inlength . ; ; . atrithorax, sp. n.

— Thorax in both sexes with very distinct whitish-grey Srsidin

. Frons of 3 about one-third as wide as head, in both sexes with a long

shining black triangle ; longest hairs on arista fully half as long

as width of third antennal segment; black presutural mark in-

variably connected somewhat broadly with postsutural one

centrally ; small species, rarely 4 mm. in length : : . mesolissa Bezzi.

MUSCIDAE. 165

— Frons of ¢ not one-sixth as wide as head, that of 2 much wider, with

triangle not distinctly shining ; longest hairs on arista not nearly

half as long as width of third antennal segment ;_ black presutural

mark on thorax, if present, always separated from postsutural one

by a sutural fascia of grey dust; larger species, ee at least

5mm.inlength . { 4.

4. No well-defined presutural black wie on horace conan area sane

so occupied not very much darker than remainder of presutural

region; less than basal half of scutellum black; abdomen not ;

yellow on sides in either sex. : : . subobsoleta, sp. n.

~~ A well-defined deep black presutural mark on plorele lop shane more

than basal half of seutellum black ; base of abdomen in Fallows

on sides : 2 : d : A : . : . flavolateralas, sp. n.

12. Limnophora mesolissa Bezzi.

As already indicated in the introduction to the present paper, this species

is very probably widely distributed in the Pacific, as I have seen examples of it

from New Guinea, and Bezzi described it from material from Fiji. L. mesolissa

was distinguished by Bezzi from L. plumiseta Stein by its shining black frontal

triangle. In this particular character the two species are practically identical,

but the series of males of L. plwmiseta from Sumatra and Formosa, which | have

seen, present a character that appears readily to distinguish the species in

this sex. This consists of a number of long bristly hairs at the base of the front

femur on the posteroventral surface ; these hairs are at first long, but gradually

decrease in length on the basal third, their tips being bent forward, and thence

to near the tip of the femur they are succeeded by very much shorter hairs,

with a few longer and stronger hairs at the tip. In the male of L. mesolissa the

front femur has a regular series of rather short, fine, posteroventral bristles

throughout its entire length. In the males of both species the fifth abdominal

sternite is elongate, and has a patch of short, dense, stiff, black hairs on each

side of its distal third.

Length, 3-4 mm.

Upolu: Malololelei, 2,000 feet, xii.1925 ; iv.1924 (Bryan); vu. (Wilder) ;

Tuaefu, 16.1x.1923 (Swezey and Wilder) ; Apia, vi-vii.1913 (Doane) ; xi1.1922

(Armstrong). Tutuila: Pago Pago, xi1.1925. Sava: Safune, v.1924 (Bryan).

Manua: Tau, 11.1926 (Judd).

From the above records, | have no doubt that this species occurs through-

out the year and in all, or nearly all, of the islands of the group where suitable

breeding places are to be found. There are thirty-six specimens before me, but

only six of these are males—-a rather small proportion.

VI. 3 4*

166 INSECTS OF SAMOA.

13. Limnophora immaculiventris, sp. 0.

A slender species, which belongs to the group in which the frons of the male

is about as wide as that of the female, and deep black. Some of the most clone.

related forms occur in Australia and the Oriental Region.

$2. Black, slightly shining. Frons black, slightly projecting, almost

velvety, viewed from certain angles appearing covered with brownish dust ;

face and cheeks slightly dusted with white ; frons of g about one-fourth as wide

as head at vertex, nearly twice as long as wide, that of 9 shorter and wider ;

orbits in both sexes narrow, with short fine bristles, of which only upper one on

each side is backwardly directed ; inner verticals long, outer pair very short ;

ocellars well developed; longest hairs on arista about equal to its greatest

diameter ; antennae extending almost to mouth, third segment fully 2-5 as long

as second ; parafacials linear, below cheek about half as high as width of third

antennal segment. Thorax, seen from behind, with slight greyish dusting on

humeri; pleurae dusted with whitish grey: 2+3 pairs of dorsocentrals, pre-

sutural acrostichal hairs biseriate, prescutellar acrostichals not developed, 1+2

sternopleurals. Abdomen without any indication of dorsal spots, incurved

lateral portions of tergites dusted with pale grey; abdomen of ¢ cylindrical,

of 9 broader, and pointed at apex, apical and discal bristles on fourth tergite

in former quite long. Legs black, front coxae dusted with whitish grey; legs

slender, front tibia without a median posterior bristle; middle tibia with two

posterior bristles; hind femur with a short preapical anteroventral bristle ;

hind tibia with one anterodorsal and one anteroventral bristle near middle.

Wings slightly and evenly infuscated ; fourth vein almost imperceptibly curved

forward at tip ; outer cross vein curved ; inner cross vein at from two-fifths to

one-third from apex of discal cell. Squamae fuscous. Knobs of halteres yellow.

Length, 3-5-4 mm.

Upolu: Vailima, type g and one paratype 4, 26.11.1925; Malololelei,

2,000 feet, allotype, xii.1925.*

Although, owing to the width of the frons, this species would appear to be

allied to L. mesolissa Bezzi, it is not so closely related to it as is the following

species (L. atrithoraz). The head of the allotype has been broken off, and is

mounted on the card with the specimen.

* On both occasions the flies were skating on the surface of mountain streams, on which

they stood flapping their wings. They were generally found on the down-stream side of a large

boulder, skimming about with Gerridae. They were extremely difficult to catch.—P. A. Buxton.

MUSCIDAE. 167

14. Limnophora atrithorax, sp. n.

32. Black, distinctly shining. Head black, frons, parafacials, and cheeks

thinly clothed with pale dust, interfrontalia of 2 brown, with triangle shining ;

eyes bare; frons of g not as wide as third antennal segment, orbits setulose on

almost their entire length, more strongly so in front, upper two fine hairs bent

forward, vertical bristles short and weak; frons of 2 about one-fourth as wide

as head, upper two orbitals bent backward, triangle narrow, extending almost

to anterior margin, all vertical bristles distinct ; longest hairs on arista about

as long as half width of third antennal segment ; latter about twice as long as

second segment ; parafacials linear below ; vibrissal angle not produced ; cheek

about as high as width of third antennal segment. Thorax wholly shining black,

when seen from behind with very faint dusting and without vittae ; 2+4 pairs

of dorsocentrals, anterior two pairs behind suture strong, but not so long as

posterior pairs, presutural acrostichal hairs in 2—3 series, prescutellar acrostichals

not developed. Abdomen of 3 densely dusted with yellowish grey, disc of first

tergite largely black, that of second with a pair of large triangular black marks,

third tergite with a pair of much smaller marks, fourth evidently unmarked ;

abdomen of 3 ovate, with numerous bristly hairs; abdomen of 2 much less

evidently overspread with dust, appearing totally black except when seen from

behind, when the spots, though much larger than in 3, are faintly distinguish-

able. Legs black, normal; front tibia without a median posterior bristle ; middle

tibia with one median posterior bristle ; hind femur with 3—4 preapical antero-

ventral bristles ; hind tibia with one anterodorsal and one anteroventral bristle.

Wings greyish hyaline; fourth vein quite distinctly curved forward at tip ;

outer cross vein almost straight ; inner cross vein at less than one-third from

‘apex of discal cell. Squamae grey. Knobs of halteres yellow.

Length, 3-5 mm.

Savail: Safune, Matavanu crater, type 3g, allotype, and one paratype J,

13.v.1924 (Bryan).

The specimens are not in very good condition, having been crushed in some

manner before mounting.

15. Limnophora flavolateralis, sp. n.

This species superficially resembles certain species of Heliographa Malloch,

particularly H. insignis Stein and H. fasciata Stein, of New Guinea, but it may

168 INSECTS OF SAMOA.

readily be distinguished from them by the lack of setulae on the distal portion

of the upper surface of the first wing vein.

32. Head black, with dense whitish-grey dusting; interfrontalia of 9°

black, triangle slightly shining; antennae and palpi black; eyes bare; frons

of 3 almost twice as wide as third antennal segment, orbits much narrower

than interfrontalia, and setulose on their entire length, ocellars short and fine,

but slightly longer than verticals ; frons of 2 at vertex hardly more than one-

fifth as wide as head, widening anteriorly, orbits entirely clothed with bristles,

two upper bristles on each backwardly directed, ocellars stronger than in J,

all four verticals well developed, triangle narrow, extending to, or almost to,

anterior margin ; parafacials in g narrower than, in 2 about equal to, width of

third antennal segment; vibrissal angle produced a little more than frons ;

cheek almost twice as high as width of third antennal segment ; longest hairs

on arista distinctly longer than basal diameter of latter. Thorax black, with a

conspicuous band of white dust in front of suture, descending over hind margin

of mesopleura and centre of sternopleura, and a similar but broader transverse

fascia on hind margin of mesonotum ; apical third of scutellum densely clothed

with white dust; 2+-4 pairs of dorsocentrals, four irregular series of presutural

acrostichal hairs, prescutellar pair of acrostichals well developed, and sterno-

pleurals 1+-1. Abdomen coloured like thorax, sides in g appearing yellowish

basally ; covering of dust in both sexes very dense and yellowish grey ; dorsal

area of first tergite brownish black except hind margin on each side; second

tergite with usual pair of angular spots brownish black, very large, extending

entirely across dorsal area, fused in centre, and leaving only a narrow stripe on

each side of anterior margin; third tergite with similar, but slightly smaller

marks, which are more distinctly separated in centre ; fourth tergite with dorsal

surface quite faintly darkened in centre ; 3 with dorsal aspect shining brownish

black, except a narrow, wedge-shaped fleck of grey dust on each side of anterior

margin of each tergite. Abdomen of ¢ cylindrical, tapered to apex, visible

tergites two to four each with well-developed apical bristles, three and four

each with a discal series, third tergite in 2 without a discal series. Legs black ;

front tibia without a median posterior bristle; middle femur without ventral

bristles ; middle tibia with two posterior bristles ; hind femur with 3-4 preapical

anteroventral bristles ; hind tibia with one anterodorsal and one anteroventral

bristle. Wings greyish hyaline; fourth vein slightly curved forward at tip ;

inner cross vein about one-third from apex of disca! cell. Halteres yellow.

MUSCIDAE. 169

Length, 5-7 mm.

Upolu : Siumu, type J, allotype, and paratype ¢ and Q, 26.1.1923 (Arm-

strong); Apia, one paratype, 20.x.1923 (Armstrong); Vailima, one paratype,

9.vi.1924 ; Lalomanu, xi.1924. Savaii: Safune, two paratypes, 11.v.1924, one

- paratype, 1,000-2,000 feet, 4.v.1924 (Bryan) ; Lealatele, one paratype, x1.1925.

Tutuila: Afono trail, one paratype, 25.1x.1923 (Swezey and Wilder).

154. Limnophora subobsoleta, sp. n.

3. Similar in general coloration and habitus to L. flavolateralis, but

differing in having presutural area of thorax but slightly infuscated anteriorly,

pleurae dusted with grey except for a rather inconspicuous dark mark below

wing base, basal half or less of scutellum black, brownish black marks on dorsum

of abdomen much smaller, especially in 9, and distinctly divided in centre by a

stripe of grey dust, and a conspicuous central dark mark on fourth tergite in

both sexes.

Structurally the two species are very similar, but in L. subobsoleta frontal

orbits in gf are broader than interfrontalia, acrostichal hairs in front of suture

are stronger, and there is a lower posterior sternopleural bristle ; hairs on arista

are a little shorter, and there are four or more well-developed bristles on basal

half of posteroventral surface of middle femur in g, which are much shorter,

but still evident, in 9.

Length, 5-5-7 mm.

Type, male, and allotype, Tonga Islands: Tongatabu, Houma, type g

and allotype, 19.11.1925 (Hopkins).

No specimens of this species have been received from Samoa.

Ophyra Robineau-Desvoidy.

This genus includes two species, which are very widely distributed through-

out the Orient and are also found in Australia. Of the two, both are known to

occur in Samoa, one only in Fiji.

16. Ophyra nigra Wiedemann.

Recorded as having been reared at Apia, from larvae in a dead cat (Buxton

and Hopkins).

This species is distinguished from O. chalcogaster Wiedemann by its entirely

170 INSECTS OF SAMOA.

black front tarsi, the other having a white ventral mark at the base of most of

the segments of the latter.

There is just a possibility that O. aenescens Wiedemann, an American

species which has extended its range to Hawaii, may also be found in Samoa.

It may be known readily from any other species of the genus by its rufous yellow

palpi, all the others having the palpi black or fuscous.

17. Ophyra chalcogaster Wiedemann.

O. chalcogaster is represented by a solitary female amongst the material of

the Hamburg State Zoological Museum now in my hands. The locality label

is simply “ Samoa,” with the addition of ““ Mus. Godeffroy, No. 13267.”

Dichaetomyia Malloch.

This genus occurs in the tropical and subtropical portions of the Eastern

Hemisphere, extending throughout Africa except the extreme north, across

southern Asia, and southward to Australia. There are very many species, but

practically nothing is known of the immature stages.

Bezzi records two species as found in Fiji, under the names D. rufa Stein,

var. personata Bezzi, and D. prodigiosa Bezzi. Whether the identification of

D. rufa is correct or not is a problem that can only be determined by a com-

parison of types. Many of the yellow species in this genus are almost identical

in colour and chaetotaxy, and can only be distinguished from each other by

minute characters usually not mentioned by their original describers. Judging

from Bezzi’s description, some specimens before me from Samoa are separable

from var. personata only by colour, though some of the forms represented are

distinguishable from each other by structural characters not mentioned in the

description of that variety. Bezzi’s other species, D. prodigiosa, is identical

with D. elegans Malloch, described some months prior to the publication of

Bezzi’s work, from a female taken in the Fiji Islands. I have since seen a

series of four specimens, two of them males, likewise collected in Fiji.

The material before me appears to include examples of two species, one of

them represented by the typical form and two varieties, one or both of which

may ultimately prove to be valid species. These may be distinguished as

shown in the key presented below.

MUSCIDAE. 171

KEY TO THE SPECIES.

1. Wing without evident costal cloud ; hind femur of 3 without evident

posteroventral bristles centrally ; abdomen not blackened at tip rufa (Stein).

— Wing with quite evident brown costal cloud, most conspicuous in

costal and marginal cells; hind femur of 3 with some outstand-

ing bristles on central third or more of posteroventral surface ;

Bhdomen more or less broadly blackened at tip : Jumicosta, sp. n., 2.

2. Some black hairs on sides of, and invading ventral surface of, care

lum ; facets of upper anterior portion of eyes almost as large as

aaterion ocellus. ; ; é : : : : . fumicosta, var. hirta

nov.

— No hairs on lower portion of sides, nor on ventral surface, of scutellum ;

facets of upper anterior portion of eyes not very much enlarged . 3.

3. All fine hairs on mesopleura, except a few surrounding stigmatal

bristle, black ; ‘ . fumicosta typ. form.

— All fine hairs on mesopleura, elaine ko some of perulose yates on

hind margin, yellow : : : : : : : . fumicosta var. savair

nov.

18. Dichaetomyia rufa (Stein) ?

I have had some difficulty in arriving at a conclusion as to the identity of

this species, and only a very careful scrutiny of the type specimen, which should

be in the Hungarian National Museum, will definitely decide the matter. Stein

in his original description, written when he was still a comparative beginner in

work on exotic forms, compared D. rufa with Aricia pallida Fallen, a rather

unhappy selection since the latter belongs to Phaonia Robineau-Desvoidy, and

is not at all closely related, the resemblance being one of colour only, and by no

means striking. This course on Stein’s part undoubtedly misled Bezzi, and

caused him to state that his variety personata differs from D. rufa in having the

frontal stripe deep black, even in the male. It is true that A. pallida has the

frons testaceous yellow, but every one of the species of Dichaetomyia related to

D. rufa known to me has the frons black. The colour of the palpi in the original

description of D. rufa is given as yellowish, generally somewhat tinged with

brown at the base, which would practically correspond with Bezzi's description,

though he states that the palpi are black, sometimes with the extreme tips in

the male whitish. I have found considerable variation in the colour of the palpi

in certain members of this genus, and in the series before me, comprising this

and the next species, the tendency to darkening of the palpi is most evident in

specimens that are slightly greasy. I am of the opinion therefore that Bezzi

had examples before him which agree in colour characters with Stein’s original

172 INSECTS OF SAMOA.

description of D. rufa, and that those specimens belong to the species listed

herein under that name with a query.

The situation with reference to the identity of D. rufa is not improved by

Stein himself, as in his 1918 paper (Ann. Mus. Nat. Hungar., vol. 16, p. 185)

he distinguished D. decipiens. a new species, from D. rufa by the colour of the

tibiae, the former having these tinged with brown, while in D. rufa they are

stated to be yellow. This statement contradicts the original description, which

explicitly mentions that the tibiae are tinged with brown, and it appears entirely

probable to me that Stein based his key upon examples other than the type,

and that he misidentified the species. The specimens provisionally accepted

here as belonging to D. rufa work out as D. decipiens in the key given by Stein ;

but they are without posteroventral bristles on the hind femur, a character

which is of some importance in the genus, and therefore possibly they should

not be assigned to that species. Bezzi does not mention this last character in

his description, so that I cannot determine whether, if they do not belong to

D. rufa, one might accept D. personata as distinct and providing the proper name

tor this species.

Upolu: Apia, 1 gy 3.11.1924. A second 3, labelled “Samoa” and taken

by Professor R. W. Doane, may also be from Apia.

19. Dichaetomyia fumicosta, sp. n.

$9. This species agrees with D. rufa Stein in general habitus and colour,

but the tip of the abdomen is rather broadly blackened, and the costa] margin

of the wings is quite distinctly suffused with dark brown, most conspicuously

so in the costal and marginal cells. In all other characters the species are very

similar, but in D. fumecosta there are always some rather long bristles on the

central third or more of the posteroventral surface of the hind femur in the ¢.

I can distinguish a lightly marked central vitta of white dust on the anterior

part of the thoracic dorsum, which fills more than half of the space between the

dorsocentral bristles. The other characters are as given in the key.

Length, 7-8 mm.

Upolu: Apia, type 3g, allotype, and one fragmentary paratype, vi.—vii.1913

(Doane); Apia, Mt. Vaea, 1,200 feet, paratypes, 20.11.1925; Malololelei,

2,000 feet, one paratype, 28.vi.1925; Vailima, 12.xii.1925; Tuaefu, one para-

type, 16.1x.1923 (Swezey and Wilder); Vaea, 1,000 feet, 23.iv.1924 (Bryan).

Sava: Salailua, one paratype, 13.v.1924 (Bryan); Safune, lower forest,

MUSCIDAE. 173

1,000-2,000 feet, one paratype, 5.v.1924 (Bryan). Tutuila: Fagasa, one para-

type (Swezey and Wilder).

Dichaetomyia fumicosta, var. hirta, var. n.

¢. Similar to type form, but differing in having some stiff black hairs on

lower portions of sides of, and invading ventral surface of, scutellum.—This 1s

a’ character met with in the group which contains D. quadrata Wiedemann and

some other species, but it 1s not so well developed in the present variety as in

those. The costal cloud will readily distinguish this form from any of the

quadrata group. The characters given in the key will suffice for the distinction

of this variety from the others.

Length, 7 mm.

Upolu: Malololelei, 2,000 feet, type J, x11.1925.

Dichaetomyia fumicosta, var. savall, var. n.

$2. In addition to the characters for the distinction of this variety men-

tioned in the key, it may be added that the two specimens before me are some-

what larger, and have the abdomen more extensively blackened than in the

others. The third antennal segment also appears to be comparatively longer,

and the discal bristles on the fourth visible abdominal tergite are stronger.

Possibly a good species rather than a variety; an examination of the

male hypopygia in a series of examples should prove whether it is so or not.

Length, 8 mm.

Type, 3, and allotype, Sava: Safune, type J and allotype J, at an altitude

of 2,000-4,000 feet, 3, 23.v.1924 (Bryan).

The fact that a larva is projecting from the tip of the abdomen, in the

case of the female of this last variety, evidently indicates that the species is

viviparous. I should not be surprised to learn that the members of the genus

Dichaetomyia are scavengers, depositing live larvae in sewage, stagnant pools,

or ditches,

MuSscINAR.

The subfamily Muscinae is distinguished by the lower squama being normally

wide, with the inner basal angle produced and lying close against the basal

lateral angle of the scutellum, and the apex broadly rounded or subtransverse ;

174 INSECTS OF SAMOA.

if the lower squama is narrow the pteropleura is setulose, and the fourth wing

vein is distinctly bent forward at the tip, with the bend beginning at or before

the middle of its terminal section, or else the middle tibia has a strong bristle

almost on the ventral surface near the middle.

Synthesiomyia Brauer and von Bergenstamm.

This genus is monotypic, the only species being very widely distributed in

tropical and subtropical regions of both hemispheres.

20. Synthesiomyia nudiseta van der Wulp.

A series of specimens from Upolu (Apia), some of them reared from carrion.

Recorded by Bezzi as occurring in Fij1.

Musca Linnaeus.

I have recently restricted this genus to those species generally placed in

Musca, which have erect hairs on the centre of the propleura.

21. Musca domestica Linnaeus.

A generally distributed and common species. I do not accept MM. vicina

Macquart as distinct from JM. domestica Linnaeus, the only difference between

the two forms being found in the comparative widths of the frons in the two

sexes. In the male of M. vicina the frons is normally much narrower than in

that of typical MW. domestica, but I have found so much variation in this character

that I am forced to disregard it, accepting the specimens as all belonging to one

species.

The species is widely distributed throughout the Samoan group, and is the

only one recorded by Bezzi as found in Fiji.

22. Byomya sorbens Wiedemann.

The above name is the one applicable to this species, according to the recent

investigations of Professor Patton. The species is very similar to, if not identical

with, the one accepted as B. vetutissuma Walker, which occurs in Australia.

STOMOXYDINAE.

This subfamily is represented in Samoa by but one genus, which occurs

also in the Fiji Islands ; in the material before me there are examples of only a

MUSCIDAE. 175

single species, while two species are recorded by Bezzi as having been found in

Fiji. There are no specimens of S. imbata Austen from Samoa, and this species

is evidently rare in Fiji, as only one male is recorded.

23. Stomoxys calcitrans Geoffroy.

Dr. Buxton and Mr. Hopkins have recorded this species as occurring only

in Apia, where it was not at al] common. I have examined some of the speci-

mens, which are typical.

PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY

WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED,

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INSECTS OF SAMOA

AND OTHER SAMOAN TERRESTRIAL

ARTHROPODA

LIST OF PARTS AND SYSTEM OF PUBLICATION —

Part 1. Orthoptera and Dermaptera.

» Il. Hemiptera.

,, II. Lepidoptera.

» 1V. Coleoptera.

» . Hymenoptera.

» VI. Diptera.

, WII. Other Orders of Insects.

», VIII. Terrestrial Arthropoda other than Insects.

The work is published at intervals in the form of numbered fascicles.

Although individual fascicles may contain contributions by more than one

author, each fascicle is so arranged as to form an integral portion of one or

other of the Parts specified above.

INSECTS OF SAMOA

AND OTHER SAMOAN TERRESTRIAL

ARTHROPODA

Dat of Fascicles issued to 11th May, 1929 :-—

Insects of Samoa and other Samoan Terrestrial Arthropoda. Maps | and : Date Issued.

2 (in envelope). 1927, 4to. 6d. . 26th February, ee

Part I. OrtTHoPTERA AND DERMAPTERA.

Fasc. 1. Dermaptera. By Dr. Alfredo Borelli. Pp. 1-8. 1928, 4to. Is. - 28th July, 1928.

Fasc. 2. Orthoptera. By Dr. L. Chopard. 51 text-figures. Pp.9-58. 1929,4to. 5s. 26th lone 1929.

Part IJ. HemIprTera.

Fasc. 1. Fulgoroidea. By F. Muir. 25 text-figures. Psyllide (Chermide). By

Prof. D. L.. Crawford. 4 text-figures. Coccide, Aphidide and Aleyrodide. .

By F. Laing, M.A., BSc. 3 eae Pp. 1-45. 1927, 4to. 2s. 6d. 25th June, | 927.

Fase. 2. Cercopide. By V. Lallemand, M.D. 10 text-figures. Cicadide. By SEAN

yers, Sc.D. 22 text-figures. Aquatic and Semi-aquatic Heteroptera. ii eee

y Prof. Teiso Esaki. 6 text-figures. Pp. 47-80. 1928, 4to. 2s. 6d. 23rd June, 1928.

hoe To eee d hb Island B CH E. en o

tt »d some neighbourin: -27 ails Edie aa ae

“Hosking WL A. Ga Sleeve Gere nee 4 ute ; els ours, B Me 5s. 9th April, 1927.

Fase. 2. Micro-lepidoptera. By Edward Meyrick, ae F.R.S. Pp. 65-116.

1927, 4to. 2s. 6d. 28th May, 1927.

Fasc, 3. Geometride. ‘By Louis B. Prout, F.E.S. 2 text-fisures and | plate.

Pp. 117-168. 1928, 4to. 2s. 6d. 24th March, 1928.

Part IV. COoLEopTERA. Sie :

Fasc. |. Carabide. By H. E. Andrews. 9 tox -figures Dytiscide. By A.

Zimmermann. 2Z text-figures. ees linide. By M. Cameron, M.B. 2 text- ;

figures. Hydrophilide. By A. d' ymont. | text-fisure Clavicornia and i

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Fase. 2. Heteromera, Bostrychoidea, Malacodermata and Buprestide. By K. GG a a sue

Blair, B.Sc. 14 text-figures. Elateride. By R. H. van Zwaluwenberg. 10

bee Betts: Meee (Buena Bye eutiaux. Cerambycide. By

et Fae a We “ Pa ie athider By * ae 4 tee Rete CORBA Be

t rl Jor h.D. text-hgure ter Be aann rh

RC Li Pekin DS, teed oe BELA. 1928 deo Bsc on) 25h Bebe tone

Fasc. 3.. Throscide. By K. G, Blair, B.Sc. (iene Gennes Chrysomelida:. aaa Fi

By S. Maulik, M.A. 18 text-figures. Pp. 175-215. 1929, 4to. 2s. 6d. | 23rd February, 1929. i

Part V. HYMENOPTERA.

Fasc. 1. Apoidea, Sphecoidea, and Vespoidea. By R. C. L Patines D'Sc.,

Be : and ae Cheon a3 Tees ig text-hgur res. eee

r text~- ts

Pattee Pat se ede ee a cO5ER February, 1928.

PRT Nt reblide sid’ Nyctevibide, (By let se Hi |

rt cter; text- : 3

Bert By C.F. Ferra. of toxehieores Pe 121. 1927, re ae oe 23rd July, 1927.

Fasc. 2. Nematocera. - Edwards, M.A. 20text-figures. Cepia

By H. F. Barnes, B.A., RDS 4 text-figures. Pp. 23-108. 1928, 4to. 5s. 23rd ae 1928.

Fasc. 3. Stratiomyude, "Tabanide and Asilide. By Gertrude Ricardo. 6 text-

figures. Larve of Stratiomyide. By P. A: Buxton, MA. 2 aa

Man aace ve C. & ee Se: Db. 8 Nise BR Malloch, iy UU araepe ARNG

AA. text- i

Bo OO-175. (A920: Ato Sel es el a an Ce 1th May, 1929.

Part VII. Orner Orpers oF ee bie

Fasc. 1. Isoptera : oy pe By Gerald F, ce 14 text-figures and ;

plate. Odonata. By Lt.-Col. F. raser, LM S.,F.ES. 5 text-figures. Hou

Pp. 1-44. 1927, 4to. 2s. 6d. 28th May, 1927.

Fasc. 2. Plectoptera. By ae iv: Ce Se.D. (Cantab.), F.R.S., and J. A. ,

Lestage. 2 text-figures. onaptera. By P. A. Buxton, MA. Thysano tera.

By Seay. Bagnall, ie Re Ss. 6 text-figures, Pp. 45-76. 1928, 4to.

F; re Mallonh: By J. Waterston, D.Sc. 2 text-figures Anoplura. By

?P A. Burton. “MA arco he y iMarsint fe Wiee y a figure.

23rd June, 1928,

Neicorie By Pose Pacer Ween ae Rateeweoee Bas

By George El. Carpenter, DSc. 32tert-Agures” Pp. 7/-11¢. 1928.46. 2-60, 280k July, 192m)

Part VIII. TerrestrrAL ARTHROPODA OTHER THAN INSECTS. Bes,

Fasc. 1. Isopoda Terrestria. By Harold G. Jackson, DSc. 2 plates. Scor-

Wonks ek baton. Us : Hracrk pepe yan Kastner: + ne “4

texte ta t. 2 text-figur Bs ete

rine, Soa el 23rd July, 192%.