934 CHARLES PauL ALEXANDER 
similar objects. The habits of the adult flies are strikingly like those 
of Helobia (page 930). The writer is sure that the larvae are to be found 
in the sand in these same haunts. 
Genus Gnophomyia Osten Sacken (Gr. darkness + fly) 
1859 Gnophomyia O.S. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., p. 223. 
1867 Furina Jaenn. Abhandl. Senkenb. Ges., vol. 6, p. 318. 
i911 Dasymallomyia Brun. Ree. Indian Mus., vol. 6, p. 304. 
Larva.— Body slender, tapering toward ends, with transverse welts on intermediate 
abdominal segments. Spiracular disk surrounded by five subequal lobes. Anal gills con- 
sisting of four blunt, rounded lobes, constructed for propulsion rather than for a respiratory 
function. Head capsule moderately elongated, rather compact for the Eriopterini. Antenna 
rather small, apical papilla elongate-oval. Mandible slender, with a long apical point and 
three teeth along ventral cutting edge. 
Pupa.— Cephalic crest a low, blunt tubercle on either side of median line, each tipped 
with a long seta. Pronotal breathing horns small, narrowly trumpet-shaped. Mesonotum 
moderately declivitous, at crest practically unarmed; a strong seta at lateral angle of thorax 
and another on either side of mesonotum behind crest. Wing sheaths short, ending before 
tip of second abdominal segment. Leg sheaths very short, reaching just beyond wings, 
attaining end of second abdominal segment; all the tarsi ending about on a level. Abdcomen 
provided with long setae; spiracles on abdominal segments 2 to 7. 
Gnophomyia is a small genus including about forty described specics 
which are most abundant in the Tropics of the New World. The European 
Gnophomyia tripudians Bergr. has recently been reared by Gamkrelidze 
(1913, a and b) and by Keilin (Edwards, 1919b). The former found 
larvae in large numbers in the viscous, semi-decomposed mass of tissue 
beneath the bark of a fallen carolina poplar, associated with M7astor 
metraloas Meinert. These larvae were found near Paris, France, in 
March, 1911. Gamkrelidze records a gregarine parasite in the intestine 
and a nematode worm in the body cavity. The species was later reared 
in England from dead oak by Keilin, who has discussed and figured 
glands in the larvae (1913:3). The only American species that has been 
reared is the common Gnophomyia tristissima, discussed later. 
Gnophomyia rufa Hudson, of New Zealand, has recently been discussed 
in some detail by Hudson (1920:32-33). It is occasionally found in dense 
forests in the vicinity of Wellington. The larva lives in and feeds on the 
semi-liquid vegetable detritus which accumulates in large quantities at 
the bases of the leaves of Astelia Solandri, a common and very conspicuous 
epiphytic plant in most of the primitive native forests. The length of 
