1 16 [May, 



named arc distinct, but I seem to have specimens running into one another. 

 Loiwia hrevifrons* one on wall, Sarcophaga hcsmatodes laticornis (2),* hemorrhoa 

 (1). Cynomyia alpina, June and July in Sutton Park, August and September in 

 my garden, about 40 specimens altogether. CaUiphora azurea (4), Graphomyia 

 picta (2), Hyetodesia vagans (1). Chortophila albescens, common on vralls, 

 popping in and out of burrows of Aculeates. C. sylvestris,* 3 ? s of this very rare 

 species. Pegomyia latitarxis (1),* Coelomyia molUssima* Norellia spinimana (10), 

 Hydromyza FaUeni (24), fraterna* Toxoneura muliebris, Gonyglossum 

 Wiedemanni (1), Acidia cognata, heraclei, Jychnidis. Balioptera trtpunctaia, 

 contaminata. Droitwich was responsible for Platypeza atra* and Chcetolyga quadri- 

 pustulata, this species which I have not taken before was met with in three 

 distinct counties. Several Tachinids and Anthomyids remain to be identified, so that 

 on tlie whole the season has been fairly good. Those marked * are new records for 

 the district. — Ralph C. Bradley, Sutton Coldfield : March, 1899. 



The larva of Asilus crabroniformis, L., destructive to that of Geotrupes. — In 

 " Le Naturaliste " for March 1st, 1899, pp. 55-6, is an article on this subject by 

 Capt. Xambeu (well known for his researches on Coleopterous larvae), from which we 

 give the following freely translated extracts. — Eds. 



"On a 5th April at Port Vendres (Pyrenees Orientales), in a place wliere 

 sheep's dung was amassed, I found in their cocoons eight larvae of Geotrupes hypo- 

 crita. Transported to my study and placed under favourable circumstances, after 

 two days they repaired the damage to their protecting envelopes caused on the 

 way. On the following 6th of May I examined the contents of the cocoons, and 

 one of them was tenanted by the long and large fleshy white larva of a Dipteron : 

 on the 15th of the same month, a little before the usual time for the beetle larvse 

 to assume the pupa state, the Dipterous larva left the cocoon and disappeared in 

 the earth to the depth of 20 centimetres, after having made numerous long and 

 winding passages, and at the bottom of the gallery it formed a long slender 

 cellule, with smooth walls, in which it transformed to a pupa on the 23rd of July. 

 The pupal condition lasted until the 26th of August, when the adult insect appeared ; 

 I had previously obtained a perfect insect from a pupa found in the earth in a plan- 

 tation of olives where Oryctes grypiis abounded. According to authors the larvae 

 of Asilus live on roots and on dead wood buried in the earth ; but it is precisely 

 such substances that furnish food for the larvae of Lamellicorns, and it results that 

 probably from this cause the former observations on the larvaj of Asilus were 

 superficial. In any case the larva of Asilus crabroniformis lives to the detriment 

 of those of Lamellicorns of the genus Geotrupes." 



Helicopsyche bred in New Zealand. — Among some insects recently received from 

 Mr. Or. V. Uudson, F.E.S., of Wellington, N. Z., are several examples of a small 

 Trichopteron indicated as having been bred from Helicopsyche cases in December, 

 1898. They are little unicolorous densely pubescent black insects, larger than the 

 European species. It will be necessary to make a minute examination of denuded 

 specimens, but so far as I can see at present they appear to be closely allied in struc- 

 ture to those forms that have been bred elsewhere, and may not I'cquire generic 

 separation : the cases did not accompany them. Wiiethcr (lieie be more than one 



