A NEW HOST RECORD FOR FORCIPOMYIA CRINITA SAUNDERS 1 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) Paul G. Bystrak and Donald H. Messersmith 2 Almost 50 species of biting midges from the family Cera-topogonidae are recorded as sucking haemolymph from butterflies and moths (both adults and caterpillars), lacewings, meloid beetles, alderflies, walking sticks, dragonflies and damselflies, sawfly larvae, crane flies, mosquitoes, and even a phalangid or daddy-long legs. These are in the genera Atrichopogon, Forcipomyia and Ptero-bosca. One species of Culicoides sucks blood from mosquitoes, but this seems to be an indirect method of obtaining its usual blood meal. (Wirth, 1956). Most reports indicate that the host insect is not particularly bothered by the feeding activities of these tiny ectoparasites. The hosts continue their feeding or mating and other activities undis-turbed even though half a dozen or more midges may be sucking their blood. However, Korschefsky (1937) recorded an Atrichopo-gon attacking a blister beetle and indicated that the beetle was very disturbed by the biting of the gnats and rubbed its sides vigorously, trying unsuccessfully to rid itself of these pests. The site of biting or insertion of the beak is variable. These biting midges have been taken on the veins of the wings of their hosts, on other parts of wings and even tunneling through the 'Scientific Article No. A 1754, Contribution No. 4539 of the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station, Department of Entomology. Accepted for publication February 29, 1972. 2 Graduate Student and Professor, respectively. Address: Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, Md. 20742. Ent. News, 84: 17-21, 1973 17
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