OF WASHINGTON, VOLUME XVI, 1914 1 1 



the odor of pine lumber in the extensive lumber yards of H Street 

 N. W. As a consequence a large number of old Norway spruce 

 trees on the Agricultural Grounds have died during the past three 

 years, having been killed by three species of Scolytids Ips calli- 

 graphus, Ips granchcollis, and Ips avnlxiix. the first attacking tin- 

 lower trunk, the second the upper portion, and the third the top- 

 and branches. Each species has its usual set of parasitic and pre- 

 datory enemies, associates, and scavengers, making in all quite an 

 extensive fauna. 



A NEW TACHINID PARASITE OF DIABROTICA VITTATA. 



Bv \V. R. WALTON, Bureau of Entomology. 



One Tachinid parasite of Diabrotica has been known to science 

 since 1871, in which year Celatoria (Melanosphora) diabrotiav was 

 described by Dr, Henry Shinier. 1 Subsequently the late D. \V. 

 Coquillett redescribed this species under other generic and specific 

 names. 2 



Shimer's brief and characterless description of diabroticce to- 

 gether with his placing of the species in the genus Melanosphora of 

 the Dexiidse offer an excellent excuse for this redescription and 

 synonymous specific name. Shimer's figure, depicting the wing 

 venation fairly well, affords the one clue which preserves his di- 

 agnosis from oblivion. 



In his redescription of C. diabroticce Mr. Coquillett unfortunately 

 confuses the sexes as he says : "Venter hi female normal : in the male, 

 furnished with a large, longitudinally compressed process." A- 

 a matter of fact the female is the possessor of this process which 

 is excellently shown in Dr. Marx's drawing accompanying his 

 article. Mr. C. H. T. Townsend has previously commented upon 

 this misinterpretation. 3 Mr. Coquillett also describes here for 

 the first time the peculiar spiny puparium which is quite distinct- 

 ive of this group, for which Mr. Townsend proposes the name 

 Celatoriince. 



During the early part of June of the present year a wild cucuml >cr 

 vine on the premises occupied by the author at Hyattsville, Mary- 

 land, became heavily infested with the beetle, Diabrotica vittatn 

 Fabr. While observing the movements of the beetles on June -1, 

 several minute tachinid flies were seen sitting upon the upper sur- 



1 American Naturalist, vol. v, p. 219, 1871. 



2 Celaluriii crawii, Insect Life, vol. n, p. 235, LVKI. 



3 Annals Ent. Soc. of Am., vol. iv, p. 140, June. 1911. 



