SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE DIPTEROUS FAMILY PHORID^E. 153 



The following have been found on species of Vaccinium on the 

 continent. They have not yet been observed in Britain, but may 

 possibly occur in Scotland. In each case, conidia of the type of 

 Oidium are produced on the host-plant ; while sclerotia are 

 formed in the berries, and the ascophores appear in spring. 



S. umula, Rehm. — Conidia developed on the surface of dark- 

 brown blotches or spots on leaves and young stems of 

 Vaccinium Vitis-Idcea. 



S. oxy cocci, Wor. — Conidia on the leaves and young branchlets 

 of V. Oxycoccos. 



S. megalospora, Wor. — Conidia on the nerve of the under-side of 

 leaves of V. uliginosum. 



Some Observations on the Dipterous Family Phoridae. 



By J. R. Malloch. 



|Read 27th January, 1908.] 



The Phoridce have been much neglected by dipterists until 

 quite recently, possibly owing to the small size and minute 

 distinctions of the species. The recent monograph by Becker on 

 the group, gave an impetus to the study of these insects, and at 

 present Dr. J. H. Wood, of Hereford, is engaged in working out 

 the numerous British species. In the last published list of 

 British Diptera 40 species are given, one of which, Phora jlorea, F., 

 is a synonym of P. abdominalis, Fin., and several others are 

 included as doubtful. At present I have 52 species taken in this 

 locality (Bonhill). These include three species, viz., P. cubitalis, 

 Beck., P. costalis, von Ros, and P. sordida, Ztt., which I recorded 

 for the first time as British in the Entomologist's Monthly Magazine, 

 and a large number of species that are still undescribed. One 

 species, P. pubericornis, I took here in October, 1907, and 

 described in the Entomologist's Monthly Magazine for January, 

 1908. 



