286 [Senate 



feet, moreover, are black in this species, and there is a broad black 

 band at the base of the anterior tarsi. 



The males have the antennae composed of twenty-four joints, each 

 encircled as usual with a row of hairs. These joints approach a 

 globular form, but have, in common with those of the males of several 

 other of our species, this striking peculiarity, namely, that through 

 the whole series, though preserving the same diameter, they are al- 

 ternately shorter and longer; twelve being compressed-globular or 

 double-convex, and between each of these a very short cylindrical 

 joint w^ith convex ends. 



This species is closely related, to the ornata oi Say [Appendix to 

 Long^s Expedition^ p. 357), but is readily distinguished from that by 

 its blackish antennse, the color of which contrasts strongly with that 

 of the legs ; by the greater number of spots on its wings,, and these 

 spots not being "occasioned by the greater density of the hair of 

 the surface in those parts." In the latter character it also differs 

 from the pictipennis of Meigen, as described by Macquart ; as also 

 in not having the spots forming bands across the wings. If any 

 description of the maculipennis of Stephens, in his catalogue of 

 British insects, has ever been published, I have not met with it. 

 That this species, however, exists abroad, is highly probable, from 

 the fact that the specimens reared from wheat-w^orms by Mr. 

 Markwick had " spotted and transparent wings," as he describes 

 them, or " 1 clouds" as they were termed by Mr. Marshara. 

 Mr. Curtis calls attention to this fact respecting these specimens, 

 apparently from a suspicion thus excited that another species existed. 

 He says, " I am particular in noticing this, because the wings of 

 Mr. Kirby's C Tritici are not spotted, nor are any individuals that 

 I have seen ; and excepting the C. pictipennis, which is larger, I 

 know of no species of the genus with spotted wings." 



The species under consideration, may appropriately be named and 



characterized as follows : 



Cecidomyia cerealis. Pale orange; tips of tarsi black; wings hyaline, with six dusky 

 spots, two only based on the inner margin ; apex of anal nervure immaculate. 

 Length 0.05. 



Specimens have been taken almost weekly, from the middle of 

 June till the fore part of September, in fields of flowering wheat, 

 among the grass of plats contiguous to dwellings, and upon the 

 windows of houses. I do aot doubt but its habits are very similar 



