THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 65 



their cocoons within a few hours. These are formed in a mass about, 

 though not adhering to the disabled host, and become gummed together 

 into a hard cluster. The winged adults escape by biting an opening at 

 the end of the cocoon. To definitely determine the pupal period, a mass 

 of 32 cocoons from a certain host was obtained Aug. 3rd and placed in a 

 test tube, when, on the 31st day, iS Hemiteles species and two curious 

 ant-like creatures appeared. A lens showed the latter to be possessed of 

 an ovipositor, and to be only ant-like in their movements, all specimens, 

 in fact, being females. Just what these wingless Pezomachus species may 

 be doing in this mass of cocoons, which all seem alike, unless they are 

 secondary parasites, does not appear. They are quite as large as the 

 Hemiteles, though lacking wings. But there are interesting phases of 

 polymorphism at work here, for it is found later that a good proportion of 

 the Hemiteles pupae live over the winter, and these evidently carry the 

 perfect sexes. Four days later three minute examples of a secondary 

 parasite, without question, Loxotropha flavipes, Ashm., appeared. Just 

 how these little creatures work out their life-cycle must be a complex 

 proposition, especially if dependent on other species than their present 

 host. It is probable they pass the winter as adults, for they have been 

 found as late as Dec. 1st hidden away in the maritima galls. In following 

 up their career much would depend upon what period of the host's 

 development they attacked. Maritima is preyed upon by another 

 parasite of similar character, in a species of Apanteles. In this instance 

 from 50 to 60 parasitic larvse will emerge mature from the nearly full- 

 grown host and spin up a cluster of pretty white silken cocoons, which 

 open with a circular lid at one end to permit the escape of the imago. 

 About 80 per cent, of these proved females, and the pupal period was ten 

 days longer than the Hemiteles. No hyperparasite was observed, nor any 

 cocoons holding over the winter. This species occurs infrequently with 

 maritima, but very commonly infests P. duovata. 



Of the larger Ichneumon parasites, there are several species which 

 have been noticed, though their numbers never seem great. Ichneumon 

 Icetus, Cress., is quite often found, and probably does not reach the larva 

 until late, for its emergence is always from the chrysalis. It is very late, 

 too, in the pupal period before its presence is noted ; apparently healthy 

 and very active pupae will, a few days before the time of giving up the 

 moth, suddenly become dark and rigid, and soon one of these active 

 wasps will eat its ways out of the pupal shell. It is hardly possible that 



