INSECT LIFE. 



THE CORN-FEEDING SYRPHUS-FLY. 



{Mesograpta polita Say.) 

 [Order Diptera; family Syrphid.e.] 



In bis summary of the larval babits of tbe family Syrphidse,* Dr. 

 Williston makes tbe following general statement : 



" Tbe principal genera in wbicb tbe larval babits are known are the 

 following : 



"Bacc/ta, Syrphus, Sphoerophoria, Pipiza, Paragus. Larvje apbid- 

 opbagous. 



'■'•Mallota, Spilomyia, Xylota, Brachypalpus, Pocota, Myiolepta, Chryso- 

 toxum, etc, Larviein decaying wood or trees; some of them {Mallota) 

 long, ' rat-tailed.' 



'■'■Gliilosia. Larvae living in stems of Cardiiim, Sonchus, Scrophularia, 

 Matricaria, and in fungi [Boletus edulis^etc.). 



^^Platychirus, Bldngia, Sristalis, Syritta, Orthoneura. Larvae in de- 

 caying vegetable matter, manure, or in soft mud impregnated with de- 

 caying vegetable matter. 



'^Brachyopa, Xylota, Chrysochlamys, Geria. Larvse found living in 

 flowing sap of trees. 



^'■Crioprora. Bred by Osten-Sacken, from larvje found under oak 

 bark. 



^^Microdon, Larvte common in ants' nests. * * * 



" Volucella. Larvfe are parasitic upon Humble Bees, living in their 

 nests." 



Fig. 1. — Mesogkapia polita. a, larva; b, pupa; c, adult — all enlarged (original.) 



* Synopsis of the N. A. Syrphidse (Bull. 31, U. S. National Museum), Washington, 

 1886, pp. 270-27:^. 



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