336 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES [Proc. 4th Ser. 



Family OSCINID,^ 



Fig. 50. Chloropisca variceps Loevv. 



These are sometimes called "frit-flies". They are small, 

 bare, with a flat frons, short antennae and wings, short legs, 

 and ovate or elliptical abdomen. Many are colored or 

 banded. The anal and second basal cells of the wing are 

 absent. The postvertical bristles are converging. Swedish 

 farmers apply the term "frits" to wheat ruined by the attacks 

 of the wheat-fly. A few of the species in the family are 

 blood suckers and probably carry putrefactive germs to open 

 wounds. 



Except where indicated the following determinations are 

 by Dr. J. M. Aldrich. 



899. Meromyza americana Fitch 

 Hood River, VI-2 and Parkdale, IX-5 (Cole). Cole det. 

 The Wheat-stem Maggot, seldom of economic importance, 

 but in local infestations it may destroy one per cent or more 

 of the wheat heads, as it did in the Yakima Valley, Wash- 

 ington, in 1919. 



900. Diplotoxa unicolor Beck. 

 Corvallis; Narrows, VII-1. 



901. Chlorops egregia Beck. 

 Corvallis, V-24; Forest Grove, VI-6 (Cole). 



902. Chlorops obscuripennis (Loew) 

 Corvallis. 



