NO. 3569 SOLDIER FLY LARVAE — McFADDEN 19 



australis Macqiiart, the only published information available on the 

 larvae of this subfamily. 



The subfamily is represented in North America only by Altermeto- 

 ponia nibriceps (Macquart). 



SuBFAMiLiAL CHARACTERS. — As giveu ill key to subfamilies. 



Habitat of larvae. — The only species of Chiromyzinae for which 

 habitat data are available is A. rubriceps. 



Genus Altermetoponia Miller, 1945 



Figures 15, 25, 33, 34 



Description. — Mature larva: length 8.8-9.8 mm, mean 9.27 

 mm; width 1.8-2.0 mm, mean 1.87 mm. Body segments yellow; 

 head bro^vn, darkest at apex. 



Biology. — It is quite probable that this species -will assume eco- 

 nomic importance in the area around San Francisco, just as it has 

 come to be considered a pest in Australia, where it causes extensive 

 damage to lawns. Other than evidence it lives in sod as a larva, 

 nothing is known about its life history in North America. 



Material examined. — California: San Francisco, Mission Park, 

 Nov. 20, 1959, T. R. Haig, 35 larvae, 3 puparia, CAS. 



Subfamily Beridiaae 



Of the 5 genera that represent this subfamily in North America, 

 the larvae of only 2 are known: Allognosfa and Exodontha; however, 

 larvae of 2 of the remaining genera are laiown from other geographical 

 areas and descriptions of these species have been included. 



SuBFAMiLiAL CHARACTERS. — As givcn in the key to subfamihes. 



Habitat of larvae. — The larvae in this subfamily are terrestrial 

 but may be associated wath semiaquatic envh'onments; e.g., Fuller 

 (1934) found larvae of Actina in and on the carcass of a dead sheep, 

 Johannsen (1922) reported larvae of Allognosta from decaying organic 

 material, and the larvae of Beris have been foimd in decaying leaves. 

 In addition to being the center of the larvae's food source, the semi- 

 aquatic medium facilitates their movement and ingestion. 



Key to Genera of Beridinae 



1. Larva robust, greater than 10 mm in length Exodontha Rondani 



Larva smaller, less than 10 mm in length 2 



2. Abdominal segments with lateral margin bilobed, the anterior smaller than 



the posterior one Allognosta Osten Sacken 



Abdominal segments with lateral margin smooth 3 



3. Last abdominal segment broadly indented at distal end and fringed with fine 



setae Beris Latreille 



Last abdominal segment not indented at distal end; fringe lacking 



Actina Meigen 



