164 Transactions. — Zoology. 



Art. XX. — Note on an Ant-like Insect (Betyla fulva, Cameron) 

 parasitic in the New Zealand Glowworm. 



By G. V. Hudson, F.E.S. 



[Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 14th September, 1893.] 



Plate IX. 



During the early part of June a young friend of mine (Mr. 

 Albert N orris) informed me that he had found some pupae of 

 the New Zealand glowworm (Bolitopliila luminosa), attached 

 to some rocks in the big gully of the Botanical Gardens, Wel- 

 lington, which, from their shrivelled condition, appeared to 

 have been killed by some parasitic insect. I at once examined 

 one of these pupae, and found that it had been destroyed by a 

 species of Hymenoptera, apparently nearly allied to the family 

 Iclineumoni&a , the members of which are so well known as 

 parasites in the larvae of the Lepidoptera. The pupa of the 

 parasite was imbedded in a quantity of refuse matter in the 

 centre of the unfortunate glowworm pupa. As usual with the 

 Hymenoptcra, a single specimen only was contained in each 

 host. On the 21st June one of the parasites appeared in the 

 perfect condition. It was apterous, and resembled in the 

 closest possible manner a worker ant (Family Formicidce). 

 On a further examination, however, I found that the insect 

 was really referable to the family Proctotrnpidce. Amongst 

 maay other remarkable parasitic species, this family includes 

 the genus Platyg aster, the minute members of which are para- 

 sitic on the Hessian fly (Cecidomyia destructor) and other highly 

 injurious insects belonging to the same genus. On the 23rd 

 June another parasite emerged. This specimen was furnished 

 with ample wings, and is consequently the male. 



Not being a specialist in the order Hymenoptera, I am 

 unable to proceed further with the identification of this insect. 

 I have therefore forwarded male and female specimens* to Mr. 

 E. Saunders, of London, who will be able to speak with autho- 

 rity on the subject ; and, should it transpire that the insect is 

 not already known, I have asked Mr. Saunders to kindly allow 

 me to publish his scientific description with these notes. 



The discovery of this parasite adds another chapter to the 

 already remarkable life-history of the New Zealand glow- 

 worm. 



* These specimens were described by the Rev. T. A. Marshall, under 

 the name of Tanyzonus bolitopliila, in the Entomologist's Monthly 

 Magazine for November, 1892. Subsequently, however, Mr. Marshall 

 ascertained that the female insect had been previously described by Mr. 

 Cameron in the Memoirs of the Manchester Literary and Philosophical 

 Society (4th series, vol. ii., 1889), under the name of Betyla fulva. The 

 insect must consequently be known under that name in future. 



