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Keilin (D.). Recherches sur les Anthomyides t larves carnivores. 



[Research on Aiithomyids with Carnivorous Larvae.] — Parasito- 

 logy, London, ix, no. 3, May 1917, 125 pp., 11 plates, 41 figs. 



The author begins by briefly reviewing our knowledge of carnivorous 

 habits among Diptera in general, with special reference to the work of 

 Portchinsky [see this Review, Ser. B, i, p. 108 and p. 149]. As a result 

 of studying the structure of the pharynx of cyclorhaphic Diptera with 

 regard to their mode of hfe, he discovered in 1911 a certain number of 

 other carnivorous larvae, and in 1914, while studying Anthoniyiid 

 larvae, was able to add two more carnivorous species to the list. 

 Others have been noted still more recently. All these investigations lead 

 to the conclusion that carnivorous habits among cyclorhaphic Diptera 

 are by no means exceptional, and further research will probably lead 

 to the discovery of many more species or genera with carnivorous 

 larvae. All the species noted as carnivorous by both Portchinsky 

 and the author belong to the group Anthomyiidae. The morphology 

 of the species studied in the present paper is very fully dealt with and 

 illustrated with a fine series of plates. The species include : Melano- 

 chelia riparia, Fall., which is found abundantly about the dams of 

 mill-streams and under the moss growing beside little cascades. These 

 larvae remain attached by small hooks growing from the posterior 

 extremity to the tufts of moss, and there prey upon small Oligochaetes, 

 larvae of other Diptera, etc. The author has even observed a large 

 Gammarus being devoured by one of the larvae. Parasites of this 

 species are the Ichneumonids, Atractodes riparius, Rusclilca, and 

 Hemiieles bicolorimis, Grav. 



Graphomyia macula ta, Scop., was found in small marshy pools 

 filled with vegetable debris, where larvae of Eristalis sp., Ptychoptera 

 contaminata, L., and various Tipulids, Tabanids and Scatophagids 

 were to be found ; these are attacked vigorously by the Graphomyia 

 larvae. If deprived of animal food, the larvae can remain a long time 

 without nourishment, often immersing themselves entirely in the 

 water, except for the posterior extremity which remains above the 

 surface. 



AUognoia agromyzina, Fall., in the larval stage has been found in 

 March between damp and decaying leaves beside a pond, where it is 

 carnivorous, chiefly feeding upon small Oligochaetes. 



Phaonia cincia, Zett., occurs in wounds in the trunlvs of elm trees, 

 among the soft earthy debris found in shallow cavities in the branches. 

 Various other species are found in the same habitat, the larvae of 

 P. cincta being always carnivorous, and feeding chiefly on the larvae 

 and nymphs of Mycetobia or of Ceratopogonids, and sometimes on the 

 soft larvae of Aulacigaster or Eristalis. 



Observations on other species of Phaonia indicate that the larvae 

 of many species are carnivorous. Phaonia trimaculata, Bch., has been 

 the subject of special investigation, being of considerable economic 

 importance. These larvae were found in the roots of cabbage plants, 

 accompanied by Chortophila hrassicae, which was destroying the roots, 

 and have also been observed in beetroots and in turnips. One turnip 

 contained two distinct groups of Anthomyiid larvae ; one group, the 

 more numerous, consisted of distinctly phytophagous larvae, the other, 

 numbering four specimens only, showed all the characteristics of 



