1885.] Entomology. 807 
the original types were found, some of which have a yellow 
scape, others a black one. He thinks this is Fitch’s variety “ttct. 
lat first thought this Hordei, but the fact that Fitch makes no 
mention of any specimens with other than a yellow scape and yel- 
low mouth-parts, and inasmuch as Dr. Harris and the late B. D. 
Walsh, with Fitch’s descriptions before them, say all of Fitch’s 
varieties are exactly alike except in coloration of legs, added to 
the fact that of the hundreds of specimens examined by me, not 
one showed any tendency to vary from black in scape and mouth- 
parts, while there was considerable variation in the coloration of 
the legs, led me to believe that my specimens were of a distinct 
species. | 
The fact, as Dr. Riley writes me, that so accurate a scientist as 
Dr. Harris does not speak of the yellow scape and mouth-parts 
would indicate that zzgrum and ordei were identical. 
Another entomologist, who has made quite an extensive study 
of these Isosoma, writes me that he inclines to the opinion that 
all our Isosoma are only varieties of one species modified by sur- 
rounding conditions. 
t will take much observation to clear all this up. As species 
are only venerable varieties, which by age have been run into the 
mold of invariability, it really makes no great difference. Prac- 
tically the matter remains the same in either case. 
From what we know of related species, and from the fact that 
all the internodes (spaces between the joints) are attacked, or 
receive eggs, it is quite certain that the eggs are laid late in May 
and in June. By September the larve are matured. I foun 
several pup in the cells of the straw on September 16. I found 
a few larve in January. It would seem, then, that a few of the 
insects pass the winter in the larval state, Specimens kept ina 
warm room all winter commenced to leave the cells in the wheat 
stalks, as mature insects, on March 22. At that date a male and 
female appeared. Each succeeding day ever since from two to 
eight have appeared. From straw kept in a cold room during 
the winter no flies have appeared until April 20. It is likely that 
in the common out-door temperature they would not come forth 
from the pupa state till May. This point can be easily settled in 
the field the coming season. This and the date and method of lay- 
ing will have to await determination till the insects can be studied 
in the field the coming May. The method of oviposition is un- 
doubtedly much like that of 7. grande and J. tritici, as described 
Mr. F. M. Webster (see Report Department of Agriculture, 
1884, page 383), and Dr. C. V. Riley in the same volume, page 
If we may judge from the related insects, /sosoma hordei (see 
Fitch, 7th report, p. 162) or /sosoma tritici (see Forbes, 13th 
report, State Entomological Illinois, p. 30, and Riley, Report 
United States Department of Agriculture, 1881-2, p. 183) we 
