I l O B R I T I S H BLOOD-SUCKING FLIES
Stammer (1924, pp. 124, 133) mentions finding the larvae of this species, on
one occasion, in the mud beside a small stream near Greifswald in Pomerania,
and states that it has also been met with in damp moss on tree-stumps quite
awajr from water. Surcouf and Fischer (1925) found larvae and pupae in a
heap of dry chalky soil at Rumigby (Ardennes) ; the larvae were placed in dry
earth and fed and the adults emerged after a pupal stage which lasted on the
average for three weeks. According to these authors the larva of T. bromius
is perfectly capable of piercing the human skin with its mandibles, producing
a smarting pain which lasts for several minutes before growing less, while the
mark of the bite is visible for a fortnight. In captivity the larvae were found to
prey upon brandlings {Eisenia {Allolobophord) foetida Sav. the red manureheap
worm; " les vers rouges des fumiers "] in preference to ordinary
earthworms, but they fastened greedily upon frogs. The French observers,
who describe the larval mouth-parts and their mode of use, deny that the
mouth-hooks are used in locomotion.
Tabanus miki Brauer
(Fig. 44)
This is a little known species, which has only been clearly recognised in
this country in recent years. It was first recorded as British by Gofife (1931,
p. 82), who took a number of females in the New Forest, and on subsequent
search was able to find a number of specimens in various collections under
other names. He states that in the opinion of Mr. Collin the two females
recorded by Verrall (1909,
' ••—. p. 404) as T. glaucus Meig.
also belong to this species.
The female is usually
distinguished from that of
bromius by the unbanded
eyes, though Goffe's record
(1932 a,Y>. 16) of specimens of
b)'omuis without eye-bands
destroys much of the value
of this character. The male
is said to have " eyes bare,
green, with one purple band
on the lower border of the
FIG. 44.—T . miki Brauer. He a d .
enlarged facets, lower margin green " (Brauer, 1880, p. 195), and to be
distinguished from that of broynius by the long black postocular hair-fringe
(Goffe, 1931, p. 82).
The three specimens in the British Museum all measure about 15 mm.
All the specimens recorded by Goffe were taken in the New Forest, except
one female from Oakers Wood, Moreton, Dorset (F. H. Haines), and two from
Bubbenhall, Warwickshire (J. W. Saunt). Dates of capture ranged from
June 24th to the end of August.
The species is mainly Central European in distribution, though Surcouf
B R A C H Y C E R A — T A B A N I D A E I I I
(1924, p. 179) states that a variety of it exists in Spain, and according to Lundbeck
(1907, p. 131), it occurs very rarely in Denmark. It is not in the French
list of Seguy (1926).
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