32 RESULTS FROM GIPSY MOTH PARASITE LABORATORY. 



When living and decomposing larvas or piiptx? were placed side by 

 side in a cage, the flies selected the latter on which to oviposit, and 

 normal larva? developed. 



In conclusion it must be understood that the writer has not at- 

 tempted to work with any one species of the Sarcophagidse, nor to 

 separate them into species, but, on the other hand, he has worked 

 with them only as a family, taking for granted that if any of these 

 flies are ever parasitic on the gipsy moth, they would naturally be 

 found in the infested localities. Although all the experiments have 

 given negative results, j'^et they are nevertheless of economic impor- 

 tance, because in Europe and Japan, where sarcophagids are more 

 commonly associated with the gipsy moth than in this country, it is 

 possible that there may be several species that have the parasitic 

 habit. If so, foreign investigations should be hastened, for if intro- 

 duced into America these parasitic sarcophagids would be an impor- 

 tant addition to the natural enemies of the gipsy moth. 



o 



