WILLIAMS: LEPIDOPTERA AFFECTING THE GOURD. 219 



Melittia snowi Hy. Edwards. 

 (Papilio, II, 53; 1882.) PI. XXXI, figs. 1-5; pi. XXXII, figs. 7 and 8 



(galls). 



Snowi expands about 23 mm. It was found to occur where- 

 ever the "Missouri gourd" was growing. This includes at 

 least two-thirds of Kansas, beginning from its western border. 

 The type of the species, however, was taken in eastern Kansas 

 (Douglas county) by Doctor Snow, prior to 1883. 



The following notes were made on this species secured at 

 Hays, Ellis county, July 16-22, 1912 : 



In the earlier part of the season the galls or swellings on 

 Cucurhita fcetidissima are comparatively small and nearly 

 solid, and the larvae within quite young. Both grow quite 

 rapidly, however, and the caterpillar soon eats out most of its 

 abode, leaving the same little more than a shell. At the 

 above date numbers of the larvse are deserting the galls by a 

 ventral or nearly ventral aperture, to enter the earth. By 

 July 19 nearly all the galls have been vacated, and a few small 

 terminal swellings containing young larvse remain. 



Each gall contains but one larva, and is entire until the exit 

 hole is made. As can be seen from plate XXXII, the galls are 

 usually longer than wide; they may be of nearly uniform 

 coloration, or else striped like the gourd. Though perhaps 

 most frequent on the radiating and trailing stems, they may 

 be developed from a leaf petiole, and more rarely from a ten- 

 dril stem (fig. 8). They were found to vary in dimensions 

 from about one to four inches (25-102 mm.) long, and from 

 two-thirds to one and a quarter inches (17-32 mm.) in diam- 

 eter. 



Hardly has the larva abandoned the gall than small blackish 

 flies enter it and lay their eggs therein. The numerous mag- 

 gots resulting soon devour the remaining tissue, so that the 

 gall dries up rapidly and in a measure collapses. Subsequently, 

 small Staphylinidse and spiders may be found within. 



In but one instance was the gourd itself attacked, and in this 

 case it appeared as though the large larva had entered it but 

 recently. 



The larva (fig. 2) when mature is about 26 mm. long, quite 

 stout, with a small brown head, and of a dirty white color. 

 Leaving the shelter of the gall, it burrows into the soil, there 

 to construct a very tough cocoon, about 17 mm. long, of silk 



2— Univ. Sci. Bull.. Vol. VIII. No. 6. 



