440 Larval Habits of Bee-Fies. [June, 
mer reared many additional specimens of this species, and also of 
the Systechus oreas O. S., already alluded to. Professor Lemmon 
and his brother, Mr. W. C. Lemmon, have also succeeded in 
obtaining the mature flies, and have observed this Systcechus 
abundantly buzzing about over the ground in which the locust 
eggs were laid, as the following extracts from the correspondence 
of these gentlemen will show: 
“ An enemy which has proved very destructive in Sierra Valley 
and vicinity is the larva of, as yet, an unknown insect. It is first 
observed as a large yellowish-white grub about half an inch or 
even three-fourths of an inch long when extended, it being usually 
curved so that the head and tail nearly touch. It is one-sixth to 
one-fifth of an inch thick just back of the head, and tapers slightly 
towards the tail, also flattened slightly dorsally. It is usually 
found in a case of locust eggs which it has devoured, pushing the 
empty shells aside, and at last occupying the space where were 
twenty-one to thirty-six eggs. Often it is found in a little space 
below a number of emptied cases, as though it had feasted off the 
contents of several nests. P 
“ The grub was first noticed last April 20, in the egg deposits 
near Loyalton. This fail, September 7, it was detected in great 
quantity near Sierraville, and afterwards in several infested spots 
of the valley. A handful of such soil will generally display tem 
to twenty cases of locust eggs, more or less emptied, and half as 
many of the fine, fat grubs.” —[J. G. Lemmon in the Sacramento, 
dormant all winter, and being now found still among the egg* 
which are fast hatching out.”—[W. C. Lemmon, Sierra Valley, Cal., 
8 
before yesterday to spend a few days, and while looking | 
grubs that I had gathered for you yesterday, one of them ane 
oped into the humble-bee fly which you have bred, and a hal 
Valley, Cal., July 18, 1880, 
“ Happening home ona hurried visit, I find locusts and destruc- 
tion all around—a sad, sad sight! Find my brother has tried #8 
keep you posted up with specimens and notes. Am pleas d 
see a solution of the “big white grub” question. He develope vei 
into a species of fly, hosts of which are now seen in midday, pend 
zing about among the locusts.”—{ Professor J. G. Lemmon 
ter to C. V. Riley, dated Sierra Valley, Cal., July 18, 1830. 
