206 KANSAS UNIVERSITY QUARTERLY. 
is in a measure due to the peculiarly favorable condition existing 
there, environments which appear to be highly suitable to the rapid 
multiplication of this species. The ultimate effect of parasitism 
upon Melanoplus differentialis with such surroundings is yet to be 
demonstrated. 
Observations on this subject will be continued by the depart- 
ment. It is the purpose of this paper to record the data observed 
and diptera concerned. Dr. S. W. Williston and Dr. Garry de N. 
Hough have very kindly examined the specimens bred. The 
descriptions and determinations of the Sarcophagide made by 
Dr. Hough appear below. The description of the Tachinide 
which appear to,be new, will shortly be given by Dr. Williston in 
a paper on the museum types of Tachinide. 
Concerning -the life history of the diptera described in this 
article, the following notes have been made. Careful and contin- 
ued watching for the act and time of oviposition was not fully 
rewarded. During the period of the last moult of JA/e/anoplus 
differentialis, when frequently a dozen individuals could be seen — 
at one time in various stages of this change, the writer noted 
numbers of Sarcophagide flitting nervously over and about, 
alighting near the soft viscid locust, then taking wing again. While 
no act of oviposition or darting downward was observed, as is the 
case with many parasitic Hymenoptera when placing their eggs, 
it is the writer’s opinion that some at least of the eggs are placed 
upon the locust at this time. This belief is strengthened by, the 
fact that the insect, during the moult, is quiescent, is soft and 
lightly coated with a sebaceous fluid and therefore is an easier prey 
and a greater attraction for parasitic flies in quest of a host than 
the active and fully chitinized insect. - 
The lot of specimens from which Sarcophaga cimbicis was bred 
was collected on September 30, 1897; the larva came forth from 
the host four days later. It emerged October 23, 1897. The 
material from which Sarcophaga hunter? was bred was taken on 
September 1, 1898. Three of these dipterous larve pupated on the 
3d, one on the 6th, and the last of the five on the gth of September. 
They emerged in the following order: two on..September 6, 
one on September 8, the remaining two, a male and a female, now 
in Dr. Hough’s collection, bold the labels giving date of emergence, 
a copy of which I did not retain. There elapsed, however, in each 
case but a few days between pupation and maturation. 
Sarcophaga cimbicis Town. Can, Ent. Vol. 24, pp. 126, 127, 1892. 
This specimen, a female, was determined by Dr. Hough from 
