266 Phylum Art hr op oda 



under experimental conditions, because of their susceptibility to dessica- 

 tion, but in these spawn bottles they thrive remarkably well, and large 

 numbers of several species have been reared. 



Achorutes armatus thrives in the spawn bottles, but is quite susceptible 

 to drying. Proisotoma (Isotoma) minuta, collected in the soil, usually 

 breeds rapidly in spawn bottles. Lepidocyrtus cyaneus breeds very 

 readily in spawn bottles. It can withstand somewhat dryer conditions 

 than can some of the other springtails. L. albus breeds readily in spawn 

 bottles. Sminthurus caecus breeds slowly in spawn bottles. 



Diptera. Many generations of Sciara coprophila and Neosciara pauci- 

 seta, of the family Sciaridae, have been reared in these bottles. Three 

 generations of a parasite of these flies, a species of the hymenopteran 

 Calliceras (Ceraphron) near C. ampla Ashmead, were also reared. Small 

 orange-colored flies of the family Cecidomyidae, the larvae of which 

 were collected in mushroom caps and mushroom beds, have been reared 

 successfully. 



Acarina. (Mites). There is usually no trouble in rearing tyrogly- 

 phids and numerous other mites in the spawn bottles. In fact it is often 

 difficult to obtain pure cultures of other mushroom insects because of 

 infestation by these pests. The chief species feeding on mushrooms and 

 mycelium are tyroglyphids, chiefly Tyroglyphus linteri, another Tyro- 

 glyphus species, and sometimes a species of Histiostome which feeds on 

 the decaying tissues of injured or diseased mushrooms. All of the 

 above mites have been reared through many generations in the spawn 

 bottles, and all stages, including the very interesting hypopi of the tyro- 

 glyphids, have been found in the spawn. Abundance of moisture is no 

 deterrent to the development of these mites as they may often be found 

 partly submerged in the moist surface of the spawn medium. 



It is probable that other fungus insects could be reared in these 

 bottles provided the moisture and other factors were regulated to suit 

 the species. In order to make smaller cultures the spawn may be removed 

 to smaller bottles or vials. However, it is necessary to avoid contamina- 

 tion with molds and mites during this process. 



M. E. D. 



Order ephemeroptera 



REARING MAYFLIES FROM EGG TO ADULT 



Helen E. Murphy, Phoenix, New York 



SINCE no way has yet been found of inducing mayflies to mate in 

 captivity, it is necessary to capture a female carrying her eggs. 

 Late in the afternoon of a quiet, sunny day in late spring or in summer, 



