4 INSECUTOR INSCITI^ MENSTRUUS 



behind the thoracic legs. It then assures itself that the paraly- 

 zation is completed by biting and pulling the skin of the cater- 

 pillar, and after much deliberation it deposits its eggs. These 

 are very large in proportion to the parasite, about one-half 

 millimeter long, oblong oval, glassy white, and are normally 

 placed one on a segment in two longitudinal rows on the under- 

 side of the caterpillar. 



This, however, is not always the case; sometimes the eggs 

 are placed on the back or on the side of the caterpillar. 



Four to six eggs are most commonly laid on one host larva, 

 but in captivity three parasites laid 17 eggs each on three larvae, 

 two laid 13 eggs, one 11, another 10, and still another 9 on 

 single larvae. In each case all eggs hatched and developed 

 to imagos. Six to 10 eggs on a larva were repeatedly observed 

 in the field. 



These eggs hatch within 24 hours and the light reddish para- 

 sitic larvae insert their heads into the caterpillar and grow 

 rapidly, forming together a rosette on the shriveling body of 

 the host. They become full-grown in two to three days and 

 then spin their cocoons near the host larva. The spinning of 

 the cocoon occupies nearly two days and before it is completed 

 the larva voids a large fluid excrement through an opening left 

 in the as yet unfinished cocoon. These excrements harden into 

 a characteristic bifurcated black substance, which often serves 

 to glue the cocoon to the supporting surface. 



When there have been many (8-17) parasites on a single lar- 

 va their cocoons are flimsy, semitransparent, and white. When 

 only four to six parasites have found nourishment in a single 

 larva they average larger in size and their cocoons are much 

 more substantial and brownish in color. 



The pupa of the parasite is at first white with coral red eyes, 

 but turns blackish within a few days. During the summer- 

 time in Honolulu the parasite develops in from 10 to 15 days 

 after the egg is laid, but normally stays for a day within the 

 cocoon, probably in order to harden in safety. The imago lives 

 about two weeks and lays from 20 to 50 eggs, according to the 

 host supply. 



