ENTOMOLOGY

RELATION OF INSECTS TO THE PARASITIC WORMS 63Gongylonema mucronatum Seurat, 1916,This nematode occurs in the adult stage in the mucosa of the esophagusof the Algerian hedgehog (Erinaceus algirus). According to Seurat(1'916) its larval stage is found encapsuled in the body cavity of variousspecies of coprophagous beetles, Ateuchua aacer, Chironitia irroratu.a,Onthophagua bedeli, GY1Tllnopleurua mopaua, Gymnopleurua aturmi, andGeotrupea douei, but there appea,-s to have been some confusion as tothe identity of the larvre in question, and further investigation of the lifehistory of this species is desirable (Ranso~ and Hall, 1917).Gongylonema breviapiculum Seurat, 1914Seurat (1916), in addition to forms found in different spec~es of Blapathat he considers to be third stage larvre of Gongylonemo, Icutatum, hasdescribed as second stage larvre of G~ acutatum some larval nematodesfound encysted in the abdominal cavity of Blapa sp. and Blapa atraucltiin certain localities in Algeria. In a later paper, however (1919), hehas expressed the opinion, based upon the mo:cphology of the worms anda knowledge of the mammalian fauna in the region in which the parasitesare found, that these larvre are third stage larvre and belong to the speciesG. breviapiculum the adult of which occurs parasitic in the cardiac portionof the stomach of a species of jerboa (Dipodillua campestris).Further investigation seems desirable as to the identity of the supposedlarvre of Gongylonema breviapiculum as well as of the other larvre ofGongylonema ·that have been assigned to various species on a basis ofapparent morphological similarities and general considerations. A continuationof the excellent work already done by Seurat relating to thelarval forms of Gongylonema will no doubt clear up the confusion thatnow exists.Gongylonema neoplaaticum (Fibiger and Ditlevsen, 1914) Ransom andHall,1916This nematode occurs in the adult stage in the mucosa of the stomach,esophagus and mouth of the rat. It has been reared experimentallyin the rabbit and guinea pig as well as in the rat and mouse. It is ofspecial interest from the medical standpoint because it is cQmmonlyassociated with and perhaps stands in etiological relationship to gastriccarcinoma of rats. Fibiger and Ditlevsen (1914) have proved that cockroaches(PeriplOlTlcta americOlTla, Blatta orientalia, and Blattella germOlTlica),and a grain beetle (Tenebrio 7nolitor) can act as intermediate host!$.The eggs are passed in the feces of infested rats ~nd if ingested by one