THAXTER. — LABOULBENIALES PARASITIC ON CHRYSOMELIDAE. 41 



Laboulbenia Homophoetae (Speg.). 



Laboulbeniella Homophoetae Speg. Cont. al Est. d. 1. Laboulbenio- 

 mycetas Argentinas, p. 191. 



The material of this species studied by Spegazzini appears to have 

 been in very bad condition ; but although it is not possible to form an 

 accurate idea of the appendages from the figures given, there can, I 

 think, be little doubt that the forms which I have assembled under 

 this name are correctly referred. The species is the commonest one 

 which is found on Chrysomelidae, with the possible exception of L. 

 Bruchii, and inhabits a considerable variety of hosts on which it is 

 subject to many variations. In all cases the basal cell of the outer 

 appendage proliferates one to several times distally from the inner 

 side, producing a variable number of branches which are almost in- 

 variably once branched above their basal cells in a characteristic fash- 

 ion, and which are very variably developed as to length, number, 

 curvature etc. The size, development, and color of the receptacle 

 and perithecium also vary very greatly; but viewing the series of 

 variations as a whole, I have been unable to discover sufficient grounds 

 for even varietal separation, and have concluded to assemble all the 

 forms having this type of appendage under a single name, although I 

 have separated one type, L. cristatella, which appears to be sufficiently 

 constant, and in which the branches of the outer appendage are 

 always simple. Although the position of growth in this last men- 

 tioned form does not appear to affect the character of individuals, 

 it produces a marked effect in the case of most of the varia- 

 tions of L. Homophoetae, in which individuals growing on the under 

 surface of the host are usually characterized by a distinctly more 

 luxuriant development, especially of the appendages, the branches of 

 which are apt to be more numerous, longer, and stouter than in indi- 

 viduals which are found on the elytra, although the longest individuals 

 seen, measuring 500 /j. to the tip of the perithecium were taken from 

 the extremities of the elytra. This is especially marked in the very 

 abundant material obtained from Systena 5-littera. Individuals from 

 this host growing on the inferior surface, develop a fan-like series 

 of stout incurved branches; while on the elytra a nondescript type 

 is found, with scanty slender and irregularly curved branches; and 

 the same is true to a somewhat less marked degree in individuals 

 obtained from corresponding positions on species of Homophoeta, 

 although the forms on these hosts present minor differences. Of all 



