166 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September, 



Some Deformities in the Abdominal Segments of Tachinidae. 



By C. H. TYLER TOWNSEND. 



In the examination of material in the Tachinidae, I have run 

 across several cases of deformity in the abdominal segments, 

 which are worthy of being placed on record as a contribution to 

 the subject. Four specimens, belonging to as many different 

 species and genera, are noticed below. 



Echinomyia thomsoni Will. A 9 , taken June 8th, Las Cruces, 

 N. M., exhibits the following peculiarities : The first segment is 

 normal; the right half of the second segment is quite normal, 

 but the left half is very considerably lengthened and joins the 

 fourth segment for nearly one-third of its width, crowding out 

 the third segment entirely on that side ; the third segment is 

 represented by about two-thirds of that segment on the right 

 side above, and about one-half of the segment below; the fourth 

 or anal segment is but slightly lengthened on its left one-third. 

 Thus the abdomen appears drawn up on the left side, the anal 

 segment being set on to the second, on the left, at an acute angle 

 to supply the deficiency in the third segment. None of the 

 macrochaetae belonging to the third segment are present at the 

 suture between the second and fourth segments, and this suture 

 is abnormally deep and wide, and presents the appearance of a 

 scar. 



Hyphantrophaga hyphantricz Twns. A 2 , bred from Hyphan- 

 tria cunea, issued August 25th, Las Cruces, N. M., presents a 

 more peculiar deformity. In this specimen the abdomen is drawn 

 up on the right side; the first segment is somewhat lengthened 

 and bulging behind on the right side, making the suture between 

 the first and second segments sinuate: the second and third seg- 

 ments are separated by a suture on the left side extending hardly 

 to the median line, while on the right they are merged into a 

 single long segment about two-thirds the normal length of thr 

 two; the anal segment is quite normal in its proportions, but 

 points a little to the right in consequence of that side of the ab- 

 domen being shortened. The normal hind marginal macrochaetae 

 of the second and third segments are wholly wanting on the right 

 side. The ventral portion presents the same appearance. 



Clytia flava Twns. A S, from S. Illinois (Robertson), ex- 

 hibits a still more marked deformity. The second segment seems 



