INTRODUCTION cxi 



Cheloninae have three species ; Chelomis blackburni, occurring also in Australia, is a 

 very common parasite of various foreign Lepidoptera of different families, sometimes 

 attacking native species also. Phanerotoma kaivaiiettsis, which first appeared between 

 1897 and 1900, and is now common, was probably introduced by Koebele from Japan, 

 while quite recently another species has appeared in Honolulu. The Agathidiinae are 

 represented only by Microdiis haivaiico/a, not a true forest insect, but which, being 

 polyphagous, has been bred from caterpillars of foreign Tineina of various kinds, the 

 imported cotton-boll Gelechiid {Gelechia gossypiella) being one of these. It does, 

 however, attack endemic Tineina, e.g. Hyposjnocotna. The Microgasterinae contain 

 several species of the ubiquitous genus Apanteles (s.l.), two at least of which are known 

 to be parasites of apodemic Tineina and Tortricina. No doubt all are introductions. 

 The Braconinae, quite unrepresented in Blackburn's collection, now have several species 

 of Bj-acon, one [B. omiodivoni»i) being a most abundant parasite of the Pyraustid 

 caterpillars of the genus Omiodcs. It was introduced, I believe, by Koebele and has 

 spread and increased greatly during recent years, having now entered the mountain 

 forests. Another species is an abundant parasite of a Trypetid fly of the genus 

 Tephi'itis. A species of Habrobracon is often found in houses, being parasitic on 

 caterpillars that attack articles of food. It is also common enough in the open, where 

 it frequently parasitizes Phycitidae that infest the pods of the algaroba tree, Prosopis. 

 Ischiogonus palliatus of the Rhogadinae was discovered by Blackburn, and is probably 

 now more abundant than formerly, attacking larvae of Longicorn beetles, whether 

 native or foreign. It is also found in Fiji, and was no doubt introduced into the 

 islands. It exhibits a good deal of variation, this apparently depending to some extent 

 on the species of its host. It appears to attack some Curculionidae as well as Ceram- 

 bycidae. A second species has more recently been introduced and freely parasitizes 

 Clytarlus and Plagitlwtysns, the endemic Longicorns, as well as some imported genera. 

 The insect described as HormiusiJ) peregrimis^ is parasitic on xylophagous beetles 

 of the family Bostrychidae, and is of recent introduction, being sometimes found 

 commonly in Honolulu. This insect is no true Hortniits and seems to be related to 

 the Helconinae, and perhaps should be transferred to that group. It also occurs in 

 F"iji. In the Spathiinae, Ecphylopsis nigra, a minute flightless insect, is no doubt 

 endemic, and is the only known Braconid that has any claim to be considered so. It 

 is known to me from all the islands (except Lanai) and is a true forest insect.' It is 

 bred from dead wood containing larvae of minute beetles, e.g. Proterhinus. A minute 

 species of Spathiiis has once occurred in Honolulu and is certainly introduced. It was 

 found flying about some boards, that were infested by countless individuals of a 

 probably foreign Dryophthorus. One or two other species of Braconidae of recent 

 introduction are not included in this account, as they have not yet been examined. 



' This is probably Eiiscelinus of Westwood. 



