42 BULLETIN 427, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGEICULTUEE. 



BASSUS GIBBOSUS SAY.^ 



Bassus gibhosus (figs. 33-35) attacks the half-grown tuber worm 

 in leaf muies. Like Zagrammosoina jlavolineatum, it is apparently of 

 minor importance, and probably for the same reason. 



Adults placed on potato leaves containing larvae of the tuber moth 

 attempted oviposition, but frequently without success. The parasite 

 is rather slow in oviposition, and the larva within the mine is given 

 opportunity to escape the ovipositor. 



Fig. 33. — Bassus gibbosus: Adult iexaale. Much enlarged. (Original.) 



This parasite appears in the greatest numbers during the late fall 

 and winter. For this reason its life cycle is of rather long duration, 

 as the following record shows: 



1915. 

 February 8. — Tuber-moth larvse parasitized by Bassus gibhosus. 

 April 2. — 1 parasite issued. (Male.) 

 Aprils. — 1 parasite issued. (Female.) 

 April 7. — 1 parasite issued. (Male.) 

 Life cycle 53 days at an average mean temperatiu'e of about 53° F. 



The parasite seems to be well distributed throughout southern 

 Cahfornia. 



1 Chittenden No. 223006. 



