C. A. Frost.
Peculiar Habits of Small Diptera. Desmometopa latipes Meig.
Psyche 20:37, 1913.

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19131 Frost-Peculiar Habits of 8md Diptera 37 tively phototropic. Those produced during the end of the season become strongly negatively phototropic and after entering into a state of partial hibernation, no longer react phototropically but instead become positively thigmotropic and negatively geotropic. Upon the approach of spring they become positively phototropic up to a Iow intensity and normally negatively phototropic and in addition positively chemotropic to certain stimuli. Herein is in- cluded the instinctive action of hibernation dependent upon or induced by several tropic stimuli.
PECULIAR HABITS OF SMALL DIPTERA,
DESMOMETOPA LATIPES MEIG.
While collecting bees on the flowers of the wild aster on Septem- ber 15, 1912, I noticed a small fly make a dash at a spider that was resting on a milkweed leaf. Closer examination showed that the spider was feeding on a plant bug, Lygus praten& L., which was wholly hidden beneath the body of the spider. There were also three of the flies on the leaf an inch or so away, and occasionally one or all of them would rush in under the forelegs of the spider and cling to the body of the victim. They did not seem to mind the constantly moving forelegs and were only disturbed when the spider moved itself and prey bodily. Possibly they had to move to escape being jammed against the leaf. I was not able to make sure that they were lapping up the juices of the bug but I have no doubt that this is the reason for their actions. The fearlessness of these small insects, barely equal to the head of the spider, was astonishing to me and I can but wonder at the acquisition of such a habit of robbery from so formidable an enemy.
All the specimens were captured and submitted to Mr. C. W. Johnson who very kindly furnished the names of them. The spider is a female Phidippus multiformi~ Emerton, and the flies are Desmometopa latipes Meigen.
C. A. FROST.




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