6 




































low corn leaves to dry out too quickly. They are also difficult 
pilize. The battery jars, lantern globes, vials, and petri dishes 
oy eleaned and sterilized, and the corn will keep for several 
3 in em, 
For the study of Tachinidae, especially of Archytas piliventris, 
provided ourselves with the same kind of cages used for this work in 
‘psy moth laboratory, as follows: A large outside cage 6' X 6' X6', 
mercage 2' X 2' XK 2', similar to the Riley cages, and several of 
} small circular cages which were found to be successful in the work 
the Gipsy moth laboratory. We were not able to use with success 
ther these cages or the ordinary cages we use here for other purpose: 
large outside cage and tne large Riley cage were unsuccessful here 
‘they were at the Gipsy moth laboratory, for the reason that the flies 
tied themselves by flying against the sides of the cages. The large 
mtérn globes were unsuccessful for the same reason. The small round 
IE iS Were unsuccessful for the reason that the corn dried too quickly 
them and also only a few larvae can be confined in such small cages 
: use they eat one another. Glass cages 4" X 4" X 4" were tried and 
oe ‘more-useful than the other forms, but were not a decided success. 
} fact that it was necessary to have @ cage in which the flies could 
t fly about much and which would at the same time afford room enough 
that the Laphygma larvae would not encounter one another frequently, 
ggested the idea of a low tray-like cage. Photographic trays, 9" X 
"were first used with success. These were later replaced by trays 
ade of glass 13" X 15" X 15" which were set on glass and covered with 
fees. From 20 to 30 larvae in the 5th stage may be placed in these . 
Bes and only a few of them will be klled. Corn leaves may be kept 
a them several days without drying. The flies do well in them and 
me e easily handled. 
FUTURE WORK CN LAPHYGMA AT BROWNSVILLE. 
— ee YE RR AE SRA A ae SN I TL IS fag ON 

It seems important to continue the work of collecting larvae and 
earing the parasites, in order to get the seasonal history of the par- 
sites and their relative ebundance at different times of the year. 
_ The work on the life histories of the parasites is to be continued 
Atil the life histories of all of them are well known. Spraying ex- 
or ments are to be carried on to determine if any practical advantage 
an be gained by spraying corn for these species in this locality. We 
Ww know enough about the life history of this species and its parasites 
B that all the work may be carried on intelligently. 
All the work outlined above can be carried on with the apparatus 
2 are using and by wethods we have already worked out, R, A, VICKERY. 
_ Mr. Geo. G. Ainslie is working in Florida with headquarters at 
ndo. 
Pir, Chester F. Turner of the Kansas Agricultural College has been 
ypointed to this Division and assigned to the Greenwood, Miss., Station. 
Mr. J. J. Davis spent a few days in the office, working on man~ 
cript and consulting the library and Museum collections. 
Mr. P. H. Timberlake is spending some time in Washington, doing 
ome work on parasitic Hymenoptera in connection with his investigations 
/ Salt Lake City, Utah. 
In submitting material for determination, the name of the host 

