Vol. XXXl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NK\\ - 21 



I 



insect is usually on the side of the abdomen between the 

 4th and 5th segments. After examining about a hundred 

 specimens I failed to find that the maggots were causing 

 any injury to the nymphs of the Clastoptera, with one excep- 

 tion. This nymph appeared to be considerably bruised and 

 irritated on the sides of the abdomen where the attachment 

 is usually made. 



The maggots that I brought into the laboratory pupated 

 in a day or so, and the adults emerged about a week later. 

 These were identified by Dr. A. H. Sturtevant as Drosophila 

 inversa Walker. The pupae of the Drosophila I found in 

 both the spittle masses and in dry places on the twigs and 

 leaves of the alder. 



Upon placing a number of the pupae of Drosophila hivcrsa 

 in a \ial, I succeeded in rearing along with a number of the 

 corresponding adults a few r Hymenopterous parasites. Mr. 

 L. H. Weld identified the parasite as a "parasitic Cvnipid, 

 one of the Eucoilinae." Lacking adequate material, Mr. 

 Weld was unable to place it definitely. 



The Drosophila seems to specialize on Clastoptera obtiisa. 

 There were numerous nymphs of Clastoptera proteus on Dog- 

 wood and Viburnum bushes in the immediate vicinity of 

 the alders on which I collected, but I failed to find any mag- 

 gots in the spittle masses of Clastoptera proteus. 



According to all the observations that I was able to make, 

 Drosophila inversa in its feeding habits marks no exception 

 to the other members of the genus. It apparently feeds on 

 plant sap in the form of spittle produced by the Clastoptera. 

 It seems to be parasitic only in so far that it utilizes the CM < ss 

 of the sap drawn from the plant tissues by the spittle insert, 

 and in that it uses the spittle insect as a means <>l trans- 

 portation. 



Observations similar to the ones given in this paper are 

 recorded by C. N. Ainslie, Canadian Entomologist, 3<">: 44. 



I wish to thank Dr. Sturtevant and Mr. Weld !<>r the 

 identification of material. The drawing \va> made l>\ Mr. 

 C. H. Kennedy, then of Cornell I 'niversity. 



