HOST RELATIONS OF COMPSILURA CONCINNATA 25 



was established a new dispersion line for Compsilura. (Phorocera 

 claripennis Macq. was the only other tachinid reared.) 



SPHINGIDAE 



DeilepMla gallii Rott. and Deidamia inscriptum Harr. have both 

 been taken abundantly near lights, but they appear only occasionally 

 in collections received by the writers. The larvae of both species 

 appear in the field from July until October. The former feed on 

 Galium and primrose, the latter on grape and Virginia creeper. 

 Both species hibernate as pupae. Their host status is favorable. 



DeilepMla lineata Fab. was received intermittently over a period 

 of eight years. The larvae are usually found feeding on Portulaca. 

 There are probably two generations, the later one hibernating as 

 pupae. Most of the collections were received during September and 

 October. An exception to this was the receipt of one last-stage 

 larva collected July 21, from which two Compsilura emerged August 

 14, 1922. The host status is favorable. 



The northern tobacco hornworm or tomato worm {Phlegethontius 

 quinquemaculata Haw.) is constant in its appearance and is in the 

 field from July until October. It feeds on tomato and hibernates 

 in the earth as a pupa. As a summer host it has occasionally given 

 Compsilura, and in all probability would be one of the most favored 

 were it not for Apanteles congregatus Say. In this hymenopteron 

 P. quinquemaculata finds its worst enemy, and it is with difficulty 

 that specimens of mature larvae are obtained free of this parasite. 

 Possibly on account of its great size a number of the larvae harbor 

 both Apanteles and Compsilura. As many as three adult Compsi- 

 lura per larva have been obtained from material previously para- 

 sitized by Apanteles. The species should be a good host for overwin- 

 tering Compsilura, but since it is difficult to handle in confinement 

 during hibernation there are few data on its fitness. 



Hemaris thysbe Fab. has been received but three times in eight 

 years. It has about the same life history as Phlegethontius quinque- 

 maculata and feeds chiefly on Viburnum. It is a very acceptable 

 host. 



HESPERIIDAE AND CERATOCAMPIDAE 



Epargyreus tityrus Fab. has been received in good-sized collec- 

 tions only once in eight years. The species feeds on a variety of 

 food plants, principally locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and 

 groundnut {Apios tuberosa Moench). It appears in the field during 

 July, and specimens are to be found until late October. It hiber- 

 nates as a pupa and is of fair value as a host. The parasitism by 

 the Hymenoptera is negligible, as is also the case with the tachinids 

 other than Compsilura. This fly alone has been reared in consider- 

 able numbers, especially during 1921. 



The orange-striped oak worm (Anisota senatoria S. and A.) is 

 abundant at times and has been received in particularly large num- 

 bers during the last two years. The species feeds principally on oak 

 and hibernates as a pupa. A few of the collections have given 

 Compsilura, but the native parasites predominate. Among the 

 tachinids, Frontina frenchii Will., Winthemia quadripustulata Fab., 

 (Exorista) Zenillia ceratomiae Coq., and Sturmia sp. were reared. 



