OF WASHINGTON, VOLl'MK XVII, 11.> ')'.) 



as to be even capable of acquiring wings, an idea which he had 

 previously suggested before the Society (Proc. Ent. Soc. Wash., 

 vol. 15, p. 35). He is not sufficiently familiar with the literature 

 on the aphids to cite references on this point, but in a verbal 

 discussion with Dr. Wm. M. Wheeler he received the impression 

 that the present accepted explanation of the viviparous repro- 

 duction of the aphids is on the line pf psedogenesis. 



THE FAMILY (ESTROPHASIIDAE AND OTHER NOTES. 



(AUTHOR'S ABSTRACT.) 

 BY C. H. T. TOWNSEND, Bureau of Entomology. 



The family divides into the subfamily Ormiinse, which equals 

 the family Phasiopterygidae Townsend (1912); and the subfamily 

 GEstrophasina?, the latter evidently including Phasiops Coquillett 

 as judged on adult characters. The former subfamily possesses 

 eggs which are microtype at time of fertilization but develop 

 in utero to macrotype and disclose in utero a highly specialized 

 planidium type of maggot indicating most likely a parasitism 

 on ant or wasp pupae, the maggots of Ormia possessing heavy 

 strongly-hooked talons on the ventral aspect of the second seg- 

 ment. (Estrophasia has recently been demonstrated to deposit a 

 microtype egg of a distinct character from any hitherto known, 

 indicating nbncomniunity of origin with the masiceratid stocks. 

 Its maggot is also of distinct character from the masiceratid 

 maggot, and while greatly contrasted with the ormiine maggot 

 is evidently of common family origin therewith. Three genera 

 are so far known in each of the two subfamilies, I'/iaxio/ttcri/.i- 

 australis Townsend (1912) becoming the type of a new genus. 

 Adult characters mark this family off conspicuously from the 

 rest of the Muscoidea, and they are well supported by the repro- 

 ductive and early-stage characters. The family is evidently an 

 ancient one, with a remnant persisting exclusively in America 

 and no close existing relatives. The most nearly related group 

 known appears to be the tribe Myiophasiini, but it is much too 

 far removed on adult and all other characters from the (1'stio- 

 phasiidse to be included therein. The family name (Estropha- 

 siidse was proposed by Brauer and von Bcrgenstamm in 18S'.'. 

 Full details, including adult-character synopses, will be pub- 

 lished later. 



The European Winthemia quadripustulata Fabricius does not 

 occur in America, the American forms being easily separated as 



