884 Charles Paul Alexander 



were larvae and pupae found in close proximity to each other. Pupae 

 of E. spinosa, as well as of all other species of the tribe as known, are 

 very active when removed from their burrows, wriggling rapidly to and 

 fro, and are exceedingly tenacious of life: Larvae, as found on May 

 27, were mostly contracted; a fonv, however, were expanded and had the 

 subtcn-minal segment of the alxlomen swollen. In this regard it may be 

 mentioned that almost all of the larvae of crane-flies that live in the sand 

 or mud along the banks of streams have this ability to inflate the end 

 of the abdomen. Larvae of Eriopterini, of Pediciini, and of Hexatomini 

 have been observed with this conspicuous enlargement. It is undoubtedly 

 used to propel the larva thru the soil by alternate expansion and con- 

 traction of the segment. 



Larvae of E. spinosa were placed in breeding jars on May 13 and adult 

 flies emerged on the 28th. It is prolmble that the pupal stage is not 

 longer than from ten to twelve days, at the most. On May 30 a large 

 number of lai*vae and pupae were brought into the laboratory in a bucket 

 of gravel. Some of the fully matured pupae transformed in the pail 

 while being brought to the laboratory. 



The larvae are carnivorous. Their powerful, sickle-shaped mandible? 

 are capable of inflicting a painful bite on tender parts of the hand. S. G. 

 Rich placed larvae in dishes together with the nymphs of various dragon 

 flies. The smaller of the nymphs were eaten by the Eriocera larvae, thus 

 confirming previous observations on the carnivorous habits of the species. 



Larva. — Length when fully extended, 40-45 mm. 

 Diameter, 4-5 mm. 



Color varying from very pale whitish to rather dark brown; in life, the skin showing 

 conspicuous bronzy reflections. 



Spiracular disk (Plate LIV, 262) surrounded by four slender elongate lobes, one pair being 

 lateral, the other ventral, in position; inner face of lateral lobes with a capillary black hne, 

 this beginning as an enlarged black spot just ventrad of spiracle, reaching tip of lobe; dorsal 

 outer edge of lobe with a dense fringe of long, conspicuous, reddish hairs, inner edge of row 

 beginning just laterad of spiracle where the hairs are very short, gradually becoming longer 

 to tip, where they are as long as the lobe itself; ventral lobe with a capillary black line on 

 proximal edge, this dividing at base of lobe, the lower branch running along ventral margin 

 of stigmal field and approaching its fellow of the opposite side on median line of body; a 

 dense fringe of conspicuous reddish hairs at tip of lobe and continued on outer dorsal side 

 for a short distance toward base; a few dusky brown spots on stigmal field between spiracles; 

 two sniall hairs between spiracles. Spiracles rather small, widely separated. Underneath 

 caudal lobes and behind penultimate swollen segjnent, four anal gills, shon, stout, cyhndrical. 



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