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ON THE HABITS OF THE OSCINIDA AND AGROMYZIDZA, REARED 
AT THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
By D. W. COQuILLETT. 
So little is at present known regarding the early stages of the Diptera 
of this country that any contribution to this subject must prove of 
interest, not only to students of natural history, but also to persons 
engaged in agriculture, whose growing crops are sometimes severely 
injured through the depredations of these insects. 
FAMILY OSCINID 2. 
Although the family Oscinide is of small extent, its members differ 
quite widely in regard to their food habits, some attacking growing 
plants not previously injured by other insects, some living in burrows 
or cavities in plants made by other insects, while a few feed upon the egeg- 
shells and cast-off skins of insects. In the department insectary a large 
number of these insects have been reared, and by authorization of Dr. | 
Howard, the entomologist, the records of these rearings are now for the 
first time made public. 
Genus MEROMYZA Meig. 
The larve of this genus attack plants of wheat and rye not previously 
injured by other insects; at least two, and probably three, broods are 
produced in one season, the last one passing the winter in some of its 
earlier stages. 
Meromyza americana Fitch.—Infested wheat plants were received 
June 19, 1884, from F. M. Webster, Oxford, Ind., and the adult flies 
issued on the 8th of the following month. 
From a second lot of wheat plants, comprising the heads and por- 
tions of the stems above the uppermost node, received June 2, 1886, 
from J. G. Barlow, Cadet, Mo., the flies issued on the 18th of the same 
month. The insects were in the larva state when received. 
In the autumn of 1888 a number of young wheat plants were received 
from F. M. Webster, who collected them at New Harmony, Ind., and 
the adult flies issued May 14, 1889. 
A bundle of rye straws containing the larve of this insect was 
received July 6, 1896, from H. A. Muller, Mullers Lake, Wis., and the 
adults issued on the 18th of the same month. 
Genus CHLOROPS Meig. 
The larve of this genus likewise attack plants not previously injured 
by other insects. 
Chlorops proxima Say.—A number of wheat plants were received 
May 1, 1880, from KE. Schneider, Fairview, Ky., and an examination 
revealed the presence of several puparia of this insect, situated between 
the sheaths of the leaves and the stalk; the adult flies issued on the 
10th of the same month. 
