IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 107 



Of course, the above is offered simply as a sample of a method of teaching 

 systematic zoology. If the professor is an entomologist, let him make insects 

 the subject of the term's work; if a conchologist. mollusks will yield the 

 best results. If he has never become especiallj' interested in an^^ group of 

 animals he should seriously consider the question as to whether or not he 

 has missed his vocation. 



OVIPOSITION OF ANOMALON SP. 



BY C. P. GILLETTE. 



While passing an apple tree August 18, on which were a brood of Datana 

 vdnistra larva^ about one-third grown, my attention was attracted by the 

 presence of a large Hymenopterous parasite busily ovipositing in their soft 

 bodies and apparently much to their discomfort. The parasite was a large 

 black Anomalon sp. not in my collection, unless, possibly, it is a variety of 

 A. pallitarse Cress. It differs from Cresson's description by having it.s^ 

 middle and hind pairs of legs entirely black and its face and antenniv entirely 

 yellow. 



This parasite was so intent upon her work that she did not leave when I 

 pulled the limb dovvn close to my face so that I could distinctly watch opera- 

 tions. The entire brood of larvai were apparently alarmed and were strik- 

 ing their heads violently from side to side to frighten away their enemy 

 The parasite stood upon a leaf in easy reach of a number of her victims, 

 watching their movements and as soon as one became quiet enough she 

 would (juickly thrust it with her sharp ovipositor. The manner in which 

 this was done was what especially interested me. I had supposed that these 

 parasites would stand upon or above their victims and thrust down upon 

 them, but such was not her manner. I was reminded of one who fences and 

 with a quick thrust straight in front pierces his combatant. This insect 

 stood upon her two back pairs of legs the front pair not being put to any 

 use. The long abdomen was bent under the thorax and between the legs 

 and the thrusts were made straight in front of the face. As the abdomen 

 was brought forward the short ovipositor pointed straight in front like an 

 index finger. 



The larvie when pierced did not drop to the ground but threw their heads 

 higher in the air and ejected a dark colored liquid. So far as I saw, but one 

 egg was deposited in each larva. 



