On the biology of the gall-midges (Cecidomyidae) attacking meadow foxtail grass (Alopecurus Pratensis), including the description of one new species

Summary. 1 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. 2 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. 3 ?Blindness? or empty husks in meadow foxtail grass is due very largely to attacks of C. merceri, which midge does the most extended damage. 4 Keys are given for the separation of larvae, pupae and adults. 5 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.