AMERICAN HYMENOPTERA. 289 



if to tear it, but abandooed the task. Did she find the coverino- too 

 tough, or perceive the difference of species ? It seems to me that the 

 various speculations as to the manner in which the nurses know when 

 to deliver the pupse, may reasonably be set aside and the above con- 

 clusion accepted. Certainly, the kicking of the imprisoned antlins; is 

 apparent enough to attract even the most stupid nurse, and the vi<''or 

 of the motions, perhaps even the beginning of them, might easily o-ive 

 warning of the proper time for cutting the envelop. I am inclined to 

 think, from some observations made, that the head of the pupa is re- 

 leased 6rst; if so, the position of the legs would enable the autlin<j. 

 by pushing and stretching, to aid largely in its own release. 



A worker of F. Pennaj/ivanica was placed within a paper box with 

 a cocoon which she had seized. At the end of a week she had de- 

 livered her nursling, which, however, was dead when observed, although 

 the worker was alive. This cocoon was opened at the head. None of 

 the cocoons, kept separate froiii ants, were open. It is clear that the 

 pupjB cannot release themselves without the aid of the worker. Some 

 of the aotlings above referred to, when released by ine, were quite 

 developed, of normal size and color, and walked off with much vi^or. 

 Yet in the course of a month or more they were hot able to secure 

 liberty by their unaided effort. There is no appearance of swath in" 

 that could probably prevent free action of the limbs; the only thin"- 

 resembling this being a light filament which unites the thorax and the 

 abdomen, passing over and around the scale. 



Of the larvae three sizes were found. The most numerous were 

 evidently those of the dwarfs, soft, small white grubs. The others 

 were nearly of the same length, and differed mainly in size, one form 

 having more plumpness than the 'other. These grubs (PI. IV, fig. 11,) 

 were of faint straw color, or livid. 



New Species of DIURNAL. L,EPIDOPTERA. 



BY W. H. EDWARDS. 

 Argyiini!^ Alcestis. 



Primaries much produced, strongly arched, the hind margin slightly 



concave. 



Male. — Expands 2.7 inch. Upper side uniform bright red-fulvous, 

 scarcely obscured by brown at base; hind margins bordered by two 

 parallel lines, ou the inner side of which, on primaries, are spots, 

 lunate next apex, elsewhere serrate, and lunate on secondaries; other 

 markings as in Aphrodite, the discal band of secondaries not being 



TRAxNS. AMER. KNT. SOC. V. (37) DECEMBER, 1876. 



