STYLO PS 303 



metamorphosis. They have been observed in several species of 

 Homoptera ; and the writer has a large Pentatomicl bug of 

 the genus Collided, which bears a female 

 Strepslpteron apparently of large size. This 

 bug 1 is abundant and widely distributed in 

 Eastern Asia, and it may prove compara- 

 tively easy to keep stylopised examples 

 under observation. Both v. Siebold and 

 Nassonofif think parthenogenesis occurs in 

 Strepsiptera, but there appear to be no facts FlG> i56.-Abdpmen of a 



wasp (Polistes heb- 



to warrant this supposition. Von Siebold rams) with a strep- 

 speaks of the phenomena of Strepsipterous gg^ ^^ 

 reproduction as paedogenesis, or pseudo- dorsal plates of the 



j i -,-, wasp's abdomen being 



paedogenesis, but we must agree with removed. , Project 

 Meinert that they cannot be so classed. tion of P ai- t of the 



mi i f c i- f parasite ; b, line in- 



Ihe males of Strepsiptera live for only a dicating the position 

 very short time, and are very difficult of of the remove <l Dorsal 



lllfltf* 



observation. According to Hubbard the 

 males of Xenos dash about so rapidly that the eye cannot see 

 them, and they create great agitation amongst the wasps in the 

 colonies of which they are bred. Apparently they are produced in 

 great numbers, and their life consists of only fifteen or twenty 

 minutes of fiery energy. The males of Stylops are not exposed 

 to such dangers as those of Xenos, and apparently live somewhat 

 longer a day or two, and even three days are on record. The 

 individuals of Andrena parasitised by Stylops are apparently 

 greatly affected in their economy and appear earlier in the season 

 than other individuals ; this perhaps may be a reason, coupled 

 with their short lives, for their being comparatively rarely met 

 with by entomologists. 



It is not possible at present to form a valid opinion as to 

 whether Stylopidae are a division of Coleoptera or a separate 

 Order. Von Siebold considered them a distinct Order, and 

 Nassonoff, who has recently discussed the question, is also of that 

 opinion. 



1 Named by Mr. Distant Callidea baro ; according to the Brussels catalogue of 

 Hexniptera, Chrysocoris yrandis var. baro. 



