1918] Leaf Eating Crane- Fly 89 



This paper would be incomplete were I not to express my 

 gratitude to Mr. C. P. Alexander, of Cornell University, who, 

 as a keen student of the Tipulidas, showed extreme interest in 

 the progress of the work. To Mr. E. W. White and Mr. W. 

 Downes I am also grateful, the former for first bringing the 

 larvae to my notice and the latter for carefully attending to the 

 immature larvae during my absence this summer in Saskatchewan. 



SUMMARY. 



C. splendens belongs to the sub-family Cylindrotomini of 

 the Tipulidae. The species, the life-histories of which are 

 known, are peculiar among crane-flies in that the larvae feed 

 openly on Bryophytic and Spermatophytic plants. 



The adults first appear about the end of May on Vancouver 

 Island. Their distribution is apparently determined by their 

 foodplant, Trautvetteria grandis, which is confined to moist, rich 

 woodlands. 



In ovipositing, the female cuts a slit in the epiderm on the 

 under surface of the leaf by means of its saw-toothed ovipositor. 

 The sub-translucent glistening white eggs are partially concealed. 

 They are generally deposited in series along the margin. A few 

 eggs may be laid on the upper surface also. 



The period of incubation occupies about 2 to 3 weeks. 



The recently-emerged larvae feed on both the upper and 

 lower surfaces of the leaves and as they develop, they eat out 

 large holes. There would appear to be at least three moults before 

 pupation, one previous to hibernation and two after. In their 

 movements the larvae show a marked resemblance to "looper" 

 caterpillars. 



About the end of July, the larvae, now in the second-stage, 

 cease feeding and become quiescent. In this condition they 

 hibernate among the dead leaves. Some remain leaf-green in 

 color, whilst others assume the dirty-brown hue of decayed 

 leaves. 



In the spring they resume feeding and grow more rapidly 

 until they pupate in the middle of May. The pupal period lasts 

 for 6 to 10 days. The last larval skin is only partially shed and 

 serves to attach the pupa to the leaves and petioles. 



Entomological Laboratory, 

 Agassiz, British Columbia. 



