CACTUS-FEEDING INSECTS AND MITES 73 



In the same month similar larvae were located at Bahia in fruit 

 of a Cereus. The same or an allied insect occurred rather sparingly 

 in die buds and fruit of 0. inamoena at Queimadas and Joazeiro in the 

 dry inland section of the State of Bahia and at Boa Vista in the ad- 

 ioining portion of the State of Pernambuco. 



In southern Brazil and at Cabo Frio solitary larvae in flower 

 buds and fnait of Cereus spp., were causing damage in November- 

 December 1958. 



Ecuador. In January 1929 small dull-purplish larvae, up to one- 

 half inch long, were observed in the fruit of Opuntia ficus-indica in the 

 interior valleys of Ecuador, at an altitude of 7,000 to 8,000 feet. The 

 attacked fruit often dried up; if they remained green die developing 

 seeds were destroyed. The larvae pupated in flimsy cocoons in the 

 crown of the fruit. This insect may belong to the genus Ozamia. 



United States of America. In the vicinity of Tucson, Arizona, 

 a few examples of a dull-blue larva, about one inch in length, were 

 found singly in stems of the giant cactus Carnegiea gigantea. 



Chile. In December 1936 and January 1937 solitary blue larvae 

 were located in the more succulent top segments of Trichocereus chilo- 

 ensis in the general vicinity of Santiago. The larvae, which appeared 

 to be about half grown, formed tunnels up to 18 inches in length. 

 It was evident that the larvae vacated the plant to pupate in the soil 

 or among debris, A single moth taken resting on a plant of T. chiloensis 

 may have represented the adult; this example was considered by 

 Heinrich to be congeneric with the Peruvian and Chilean forms 

 included in the genus Sigelgaita. 



Brazil. In December 1928 and November-December 1958 at 

 Macahe and Cabo Frio, State of Rio de Janeiro, and at Sousas, soli- 

 tary larvae were not uncommon in the branches and main stems of 

 Cereus spp., including Cereus variabilis. They varied in size from very 

 small to apparently full-grown examples 1)2 inches in length; the small 

 larvae were wine-colored, and the older ones were green-blue. Each 

 larva had tunneled out a considerable cavity and had sheltered within 

 a black case near the point of entrance. Exit holes had been cut in the 

 stems after the manner of Olycella larva, and pupation apparendy 

 occurred in the soil or rubbish. As many as 12 larvae were observed in 

 one plant. Many large Cereus plants had been killed, presumably as a 

 result of the acti\dties of the insect over a period of several generations. 



Brazil. White or cream-colored larvae with black spots were 

 prevalent in Cereus plants at Bahia, Brazil, in December 1928. They 

 varied in size from very small to about one inch in length; the largest 

 examples did not appear to be full grown. They were of solitary habit, 



