CACTUS-FEEDING INSECTS AND MITES 83 



CHRYSOBATYS Munroe 

 Chrysobatys cambogialis (Guenee) 



The few records concerning this insect were made in southern Brazil 

 and northeastern Argentina. In May 1921, a greenish-white larva 

 was found beneath a web in a small cavity on a plant of Cereus pernam- 

 bucensis at Leme, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; the moth emerged 

 in June. In April 1935, two larvae were collected in young growth of 

 Opuntia ?nonacantha at Campinas, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil; adults 

 emerged in early May. In late April 1937, larvae were taken in the 

 fruit of Pereskia sacharosa at Concordia and Paso de Los Libres, Province 

 of Entre Rios, Argentina; moths were reared in June. The adult is 

 very similar to AI . flavidissimalis (Grote). 



A doubtful record, which probably refers to this species or to M. 

 pulchellalis Dyar, is that of a larvae found in 0. salmiana at Parana, 

 Province of Entre Rios, Argentina, in August 1932. This example 

 produced braconid parasites. 



Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae 



METAPLEURA Busck 



This genus of the Gelechiidae is represented by a single species from 

 Mexico » 



Metapleura potost (Busck) 



This insect has a rather extensive distribution in the southern half of 

 Mexico, having been located from Pachuca in the State of Hidalgo 

 as far south as Oaxaca. On several occasions it was moderately preva- 

 lent in the general vicinity of Mexico City. The recorded host plants 

 comprise tree-pear types such as Opuntia strepiacanlha, 0, lasiacantha, 

 and 0. tomentosa. Under cage conditions in Australia the insect bred 

 readily in the shrub pear 0. inermis. 



The moth has a wing expanse of 1 .25 inches; the forewings are mottled 

 light and dark brown; the palpi are upturned and prominent. The 

 full-grown larva is about three-quarters of an inch in length; it is dull 

 red in color, with dark raised tubercles on each segment giving an 

 indefinitely banded appearance. 



The larvae live in individual cells in both the younger and the older 

 segments of prickly pear; the cells are circular brown areas with a 

 maximum diameter of two inches. There may be 1 or 2 or as many 

 as 15 to 20 larvae in one segment. Normally, little damage is caused 

 to the plant, but segments often rot completely if attacked by more 



