THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER. 
61 
lately hatched, somewhat plentifully, the 
pupae of the willow gall-fly {Cecidomyia 
nalicina) that forms those singular rose- 
like galls that occur on the willows. The 
parent insect holds among the Diptera 
the place of the Cynips among the 
Hymeuoptera. The gnat lays her eggs 
in June, in the topmost bud of the 
willow-branch. The bud becomes crip- 
pled by the process, and instead of ex- 
panding assumes a rose-like form, the 
bracts that compose it gradually in- 
creasing in size from the centre, where 
the egg is laid, to the circumference. 
The inner bracts then form a conical 
tube, in which the Cecidomyia is to pass 
the earlier stages of its existence. These 
curious vegetable productions, which are 
not seen at first, begin to be observable 
in the month of September, and still 
more so through the winter, as they are 
the only part of the foliage that remains. 
The larvee are oval, of a yellowish red. 
After the winter they pass into the 
nympha state. They now begin to evi- 
dence more perceptibly the characters 
they are to assume in the winged condi- 
tion. I have seen several emerge from 
their pupa-hood, and the rapidity with 
which they unfetter themselves from their 
cere-clothes is really marvellous. The 
case that is left retains a something of 
the structure of its quondam tenant. 
The perfect insect is like a Tipula ; the 
wings are fringed and velvety, and are 
marked with three longitudinal nervures. 
■ — Peter Inchbai.d, Storlhes Hall, near 
Huddersfield ; May 14. 
Hemiptera. 
Ranalra linearis. — In reply to Mr. 
Scott’s enquiry (in No. 187 of the ‘ In- 
telligencer ’) as to whether Ranalra 
linearis “ is rare or only wants looking 
for,” I can state that it is not uncommon 
in a pond at Richmond, Surrey, where I 
have several times met with it when col- 
lecting objects for the aquarium. I have 
heard that it also occurs in a pond on 
Twickenham Common. I expect to be 
at Richmond in June, and could then 
probably obtain the insect, should it still 
be required. — George Guvon, Ventnor, 
Isle of While May 1 9. 
Hymenoptera. 
A Question for Hymenopterists. — In 
the ‘ Gardener’s Chronicle’ of May 19lh 
a correspodent at Clitheroe propounds the 
following query: — “ Can any one suggest 
a remedy for the depredations of wild 
bees.? The lawn is annually ploughed 
up by blackbirds and thrushes seeking 
for the eggs laid there by the bees, which 
renders it very unsightly. Various sug- 
gestions have been made and tried with- 
out avail.” Perhaps some entomological 
connoisseur will throw light on the sub- 
ject. I had certainly no previous con- 
ception that the laying of eggs was 
considered a “ depredation.” — H. T. 
Stainton ; May 21. 
EXCHANGE. 
Exchange. — Having larvae of Hypo- 
gymna Dispar, I should like to exchange 
them for eggs or larvae of other species I 
am in want of. — W. Buckler, Lumley 
Collage, Emsworlh, Hants ; May 21. 
Exchange. — I have about a hundred 
larvae of Xanlhia Citrago, and should be 
glad to exchange them. My wants are 
numerous, therefore I shall be glad to 
hear from gentlemen what they have to 
oflfer in return. I prefer ovae, larvm or 
pupae to the images. Correspondents not 
receiving an answer within the week will 
please take this notice that I am pro- 
vided with what they ofier, or that my 
stock is exhausted. I have above a 
hundred ovae of Smerinthus Ocellatus, 
which I shall be glad to send to any one 
in want of them, on receipt of a small 
box and return postage. If any friend 
to whom I promised pupae of Pericallia 
