Tiphiidae and Scoliidae 507 



openings. Each end of the box has a i-inch hole in the center, fitted 

 with a cork, for the convenient entry of the parasites. In each side of 

 the box along the central line two i-inch holes are drilled, one about 3 

 inches from each end. These are covered with fine wire cloth and serve 

 as vents. When the boxes are in use they are provided with a small 

 water bottle fitted with a lamp wick that terminates in a ball of cotton 

 wrapped in gauze. This furnishes water and humidity. Food for the 

 adult consists of the candy which has been described, but for con- 

 venience it may be placed in small wooden blocks that have been drilled 

 so as to contain several thimble-like depressions. The block fits con- 

 veniently in one corner. Often it is found desirable to cover the floor of 

 the box with fine moist soil % inch deep, into which the Tiphia may 

 retire if the heat becomes too great. Care must be exerted to keep this 

 soil moist. Small twigs with leaves may also be furnished for the 

 Tiphia to rest upon. Paired couples may be removed to other containers 

 with a suction pipette. 



REARING METHODS FOR SC0LIIDS 



The adults of Scolia, Campsomeris, and other allied genera require 

 larger containers while being held during the oviposition period. Tins or 

 jelly jars capable of holding about a half pint of soil are desirable. The 

 soil used should be moistened as previously described for the tiphiids. 

 The sifted soil is then pressed firmly in the containers after one host 

 grub has been placed in each. A square of waxed paper bearing a pellet 

 of candy and a drop of water to serve as food and drink for the adult, is 

 placed in the container. The parasite is then quickly inserted and held 

 in with a snug-fitting lid. The temperature required is the same as that 

 used in rearing Tiphia. After the containers have been filled and pro- 

 visioned they may be set aside until examined the following day. Illing- 

 worth,* however, states that two to three eggs per day may be procured 

 by examining the containers twice daily, removing the parasitized grubs, 

 and supplying new host larvae. The removal of the soil from the tins or 

 jars should be done with care, for if simply dumped in a heap the egg 

 may be dislodged from the host. 



After the paralyzed host has been removed from the soil with the 

 parasite egg attached, the grubs may be held in smaller tin boxes until 

 the cocoons are formed ; in this case, however, the box is half filled with 

 moist soil which is pressed down flat, and in the middle of this flat 

 surface an elliptical depression is made just large enough to hold the 

 host grub. Over the top of this depression a sheet of paper or cellophane 



* Illingworth, J. F. A successful method of breeding parasites of white grubs. 

 /. Econ. Ent. 12:455-457, iUus. 1919. 



