ON THE BIOLOGY OF THE GALL‐MIDGES (CECIDOMYIDAE) ATTACKING MEADOW FOXTAIL GRASS (<i>ALOPECURUS PRATENSIS</i>), INCLUDING THE DESCRIPTION OF ONE NEW SPECIES

Abstract

S ummary . Three midges do serious damage to the seeding of meadow foxtail grass; they are Dasyneura alopecuri (Reuter), Stenodiphsis geniculati Reuter and Contarinia merceri n.sp. All three occur almost wherever the grass is grown. The distribution and bionomics of these midges are dealt with; D. alopecuri has one brood a year, S. geniculati has two, while C. merceri usually has one but occasionally may have two. “Blindness” or empty husks in meadow foxtail grass is due very largely to attacks of C. merceri , which midge does the most extended damage. Keys are given for the separation of larvae, pupae and adults. Control measures are discussed and a method of keeping sheep on the grass until a certain safety date, i.e . a date when the crest of emergence of the female midges is over, is strongly advocated in districts where the bionomics is known.