NO. 3569 SOLDIER FLY LARVAE — McFADDEN 21 



the earth under masses of rotting grass" (p. 190). Larvae were also 

 present in soil among the roots and stems of growing grasses. Pupae 

 were obtained 7-8 months after the larvae were collected. 



Material examined. — No larvae of this species were examined. 



Genus Beris Latreille, 1802 



Three species are recorded for this genus in North America but 

 the larvae or pupae have never been reported. The larval stages of 

 a few European species of Beris have been described (Lenz, 1923). 

 The larva described below was loaned to me by W. Hennig. 



Generic characters. — As given in key to genera. 



Beris vallata Forster, 1771 



Figures 23, 26, 28 



Description. — Mature larva (?) : length 7-8 mm; width 2 mm. 

 Head and body segments yeUow; body of larva extremely flattened 

 dorsoventraUy; prothoracic spiracle elevated but relatively incon- 

 spicuous; body segments from second thoracic to seventh abdominal 

 with a distinct papilla at intersegmental fold. 



Biology. — Nothing is known about the biology of the North 

 American species. Lenz (1923) reports that larvae of Beris vallata 

 and 2 other species of this genus were found under the bark of a 

 fallen tree, which was lying in a marshy area between fallen leaves 

 (presumably wet) and at the margins of springs. 



Material examined. — Two larvae borrowed from the Deutsches 

 Entomologisches Institut; no collecting data. 



Genus Exodontha Rondani, 1856 



According to James (pers. comm.) , 2 species occur in North America, 

 but larvae and pupae of only Exodontha luteipes (Williston) have 

 been found. 



Generic characters. — As given in key to genera. 



Exodontha luteipes (Williston), 1885 



Figures 29, 30, 35 



Description. — Mature larva: length 11.7-15+ mm, mean 

 13.23 mm; width 3.8-4.5 mm, mean 4.77 mm. Head and body seg- 

 ments pale yellow. 



Biology. — Larvae of this species were found in moist rotting wood 

 under large boulders on a mountainside at an elevation of approxi- 

 mately 6000 feet. Adults emerged on June 27, 1960, in the laboratory. 



Material examined. — Alberta: Banff National Park, Mt. Ishbel, 

 June 13, 1960, Ball, Madge and McFadden, 1 larva, 4 puparia MWM. 



