Pomona College, Claremont, California 77 



DIPTERAL 



The common kelp fly, FucclUa rufitibia Stem, was particularly 

 abundant on decaying kelp along the beach during the summer. 

 In some instances the flies completely cover the masses of seaweed 

 and rise in clouds when disturbed. It would be interesting to know 

 the larval habits of this species. 



The lemur syrphid, Baccha lemur 0. S., was reared in con- 

 siderable numbers from Erium licktensioides Ckll. on California 

 sage, Artemisia californica Less., which was abundant in the 

 Laguna Beach Canyon. 



The small gray leucopis, Leucopis griseola Fall., was reared in 

 immense numbers from the leaves of muskmelon vines which were 

 severely infested with the melon aphis, Aphis gossypii Glover. The 

 small larvae and pupae were abundant on the undersides of the 

 leaves. That a large proportion of the muskmelon vines growing 

 along the ocean between Laguna Beach and San Juan Capistrano, 

 were not entirely destroyed, may be credited to the efficaceous work 

 of the larvae of this fly. I have never seen a predaceous maggot so 

 numerous. 



LEPIDOPTERA 



The Sycamore borer, Synanthedon (Aegeria) mellinipennis 

 (Bdv.).'- The work of the larvae of this moth on the trunks of 

 the Western Sycamore or plane tree, Platanus racemosa Nutt., is 

 very characteristic, consisting of numerous tunnels in the inner 

 bark and the expulsion of quantities of reddish-brown frass which 

 collects in the crevices of the bark and around the bases of the 

 trees, at once calling attention to the presence of the insect. 



The infestations occured on large trees and was confined to 

 the trunks from the ground to a distance of about six feet. Many 

 of the trees were infested with great numbers of caterpillars, but 

 no evidence of serious injury to the general health of any of the 

 infested trees was noticeable. The moths mimic in color, size and 

 flight the common yellow jacket, Vespa gcrmaiiica Linn. Indeed 

 so great was the resemblance that the moths hovering about the 

 tree trunks were first thought to be yellow jackets until they 

 alighted. 



A single grove of western sycamore, comprising some fifty 

 trees, in Niguel Canyon was the only one observed to be infested by 

 this moth, although there were numerous other trees in the difl'erent 

 canyons around Laguna Beach. 



The western sycamore is apparently the native host of this 

 species, which is recorded from California and Colorado, without 

 previous host records. 



' Determined by J M. Aldrich. U. S. National Museum. 

 ■ Determined by Ausust Busck. U S. National Museum. 



