82 U.S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 25 6 



In the West Indies the insect was in all stages of development in 

 Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic in December and January, 



When they are prevalent, the larvae destroy an appreciable amount 

 of the young growth. It was estimated that 75 to 80 percent of the 

 new shoots around Brownsville were attacked in May 1933, while 

 in December 1932, 80 to 90 percent of the limited quantity of young 

 segments were infested. 



Parasites. — The larvae are rather freely attacked by the ichneumon, 

 Eiphosoma annulatum and E. texanum, which emerge from the pupae. 

 The braconid, Apanteles mimoristae is a common enemy of the pupating 

 larvae. A chalcid, Sympiesomorpha sp. is either a direct parasite of 

 Mimorista or a hyperparasite attacking Eiphosoma sp. 



Mimorista pulchellalis (Dyar) 



Although this form has been obtained in several host plants from 

 various localities in Argentina, it appears to be a rare insect. 

 It was described from a single example reared from a whitish larva 

 found in a small plant of Echinopsis at Catamarca in February 1921; 

 the larva had eaten out an excavation in the plant and pupated in 

 the cavity. 



During the Argentine investigations of 1931 to 1935, a few larvae 

 were found from time to time at Tapia and Vipos in the Province 

 of Tucuman and at Anatuya, in the Province of Santiago del Estero, 

 in young growth of Opuntia discolor, 0. sulphurea, and 0. quimilo, and in 

 segments of Harrisia pomanensis. Larvae were collected in January, 

 July, October, and November, and adults were reared in September 

 and November. One larva produced several braconid parasites. 



The adult differs markedly from the two preceding species. The 

 wings are yellow with a large brown central area and a brown outer 

 margin on the forewing. 



In Paraguay in December 1958, a few Mimorista -like larvae were 

 found in Harrisia bonplandii. 



Mimorista Warren, sp. 



In November and December 1927, larvae were very abundant at 

 Zacapa, Guatemala, and Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and were observed 

 at Guatemala City and Amatitlan, Guatemala, and in the Comayagua 

 Valley, Honduras. They were attacking the young growth of Nopalea 

 lutea, JV. guatemalensis, and N. c ochenillifera. Adults were not reared, 

 but the larvae seemed identical in appearance and habits with those of 

 M. flavidissimalis Grote. 



