HYPERPARASITISM 329 



of what appears to be true tertiary parasitism, the observations 

 of Muesebeck and Dohanian on the Chalcid Pleurotropis are 

 noteworthy. Out of several hundred cocoons from which the 

 species P. tarsalis Ashm. emerged, in 97 per cent, it had developed 

 at the expense of Hymenopterous secondary parasites. Only in 

 very few instances the Pleurotropis itself behaved as a secondary 

 parasite of the host concerned (Apanteles). Since the Pleurotropis 

 is an internal parasite, which pupates within the larval or pupal 

 covering of the host it destroys, its actual biological relationships 

 can be readily determined. Reputed quarternary and even 

 quinquenary parasites are on record, but it is extremely doubtful 

 whether their behaviour is of the order ascribed to them. 



