934 



Charles Paul Alexander 



similar objects. Tho habits of the adult flies are strikingly like those 

 of Helobia (page 930). Th(^ wiitcr is sure that the larvae are to be found 

 in the sand in these same haunts. 



Genus Qnophomyia Ostcn Sackcn (Gr. darkness + fly) 



1859 Gnophomyia O. S. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., p. 223. 

 1867 furina Jaenn. Abhandl. Senkenb. Ges., vol. 6, p. 318. 

 1911 Dasymallomyia Brun. Rec. Indian Mus., vol. G, p. 304. 



Larva. — Body slender, tapering toward ends, with transverse welts on intermediate 

 abdominal segments. Spiracular disk surrounded by five subequal lobes. Anal gills con- 

 sisting of four blunt, rounded lobes, constructed for propulsion rather than for a respiratory 

 function. Head capsule moderately elongated, rather compact for the Eriopterini. Antenna 

 rather small, apical papilla elongate-oval. INIandible slender, with a long apical point and 

 three teeth along ventral cutting edge. 



Pupa. — Cephalic crest a low, blunt tubercle on either side of median line, each tipped 

 with a long seta. Pronotal breathing horns small, narrowly trumpet-shaped. Mesonotum 

 moderately declivitous, at crest practically unarmed; a strong seta at lateral angle of thorax 

 and another on either side of mesonotum behind crest. Wing sheaths short, ending before 

 tip of second abdominal segment. Leg sheaths very short, reaching just beyond wings, 

 attaining end of second abdominal segment; all the tarsi ending about on a level. Abdomen 

 provided with long setae; spiracles on abdominal segments 2 to 7. 



Gnophomyia is a small genus including about forty described species 

 which are most abundant in the Tropics of the New World. The European 

 Gnophomyia tripudians Bergr. has recently been reared by Gamkrelidze 

 (1913, a and b) and l)y KeiHn (Edwards, 1919b). The former found 

 larvae in large numbers in the viscous, semi-decomposed mass of tissue 

 beneath the bark of a fallen Carolina poplar, associated with Miastor 

 metraloas Meinert. These larvae were found near Paris, France, in 

 March, 1911. Gamkrelidze records a gregarine parasite in the intestine 

 and a nematode worm in the body cavity. The species was later reared 

 in England from d(*ad oak by Kcilin, who has discussed and figured 

 glands in the larvae (1913:3). The only American species that has been 

 reared is the common Gnophomyia tristissima, discussed later. 



Gnophomyia rufa Hudson, of New Zealand, has recently been discussed 

 in some detail by Hudson (1920:32-33). It is occasionally found in dense 

 forests in the vicinity of Wellington. The larva lives in and feeds on the 

 semi-liquid vegetable detritus which accumulates in large quantities at 

 the bases of the leaves of Adelia Solayidri, a common and very conspicuous 

 epiphytic plant in most of the primitive native forests. The length of 



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