304 Journal of Agricultural Research voi. iv, no. 4 



So far as known by the writer, the Ufe history of this parasite had not 

 been studied, and as it appeared in considerable numbers during the 

 season of 191 2 near Riverhead, N. Y., where the writer was stationed, 

 a study of its life history and habits was undertaken. During the fall 

 of 1 91 2 Mr. H. M. Russell, of the Bureau of Entomology, also stationed 

 at Riverhead, and the writer published a short article (7) on this parasite, 

 based principally on observations made during that season. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE PARASITE 



The adult (PI. XLIX, fig. i) of T. asparagi was described by Mr. 

 Crawford as follows : 



THE ADULT 



Female. — Length 2 mm. Belongs to the group of T. hylotomae Ashm.; dark blue 

 green; face finely reticulate and with scattered punctures; antennae with one ring 

 joint; joints 1-3 of fiagellum almost equal, the first slightly longer and about as long 

 as the pedicel ; third flagellar joint hardly longer than wide and about as long as the 

 first joint of club; mesothorax finely longitudinally rugulose, the median furrow fail- 

 ing anteriorly; middle lobe of mesonotum with a single indistinct row of punctures 

 on each side; metathorax roughened, median and lateral carinse strong; metathorax 

 at median carina much longer than postscutellum ; coxae, trochanters, and femora, 

 except apices, green, the rest of the legs reddish testaceous. 



Amherst, Mass., reared from eggs of Crioceris asparagi by Dr. H. T. Femald. 



Type.— Cat. No. 12676, U. S. Nat. Mus. 



This species is x&Vf closely related to T. hylotomae, but has shorter antennae. In 

 the female of T. hylotomae the third joint of the flagellum is twice as long as wide, 

 and distinctly longer than the first joint of the club, the first joint of the fiagellum is 

 one and one-half times as long as the pedicel; the median furrow of mesonotum is 

 distinct to the anterior margin. 



The following descriptions of the egg, lar\^a, and pupa of Tetrastichus 

 asparagi are by the author. 



the; egg 



The egg (PI. XLIX, fig. 2) is reniform in shape, with one end more slender than the 

 other, about 0.24 mm. long and 0.08 mm. wide, semitransparent, and is of a milky 

 color, with a granular appearance within. While the eggs may be laid singly, in a 

 number of cases they were found side by side in pairs (PI. XLIX, fig. 3). 



THE LARVA 



The mature larva (PI. XLIX, fig. 4) is from 2 to 2.5 mm. long and about i mm. 

 wide. It is white, with the alimentary canal appearing greenish; ovate; widest 

 near the head, which is contracted and bent under the body. The surface is smooth 

 and devoid of hairs. There are no legs, and the larva seems incapable of motion, 

 except to move the end of the abdomen when disturbed. 



THE PUPA 



The pupa (PI. XLIX, fig. 5) is from 2 to 2.5 mm. long and from i to 1.2 mm. wide. 

 It is yellowish white; convex dorsally, with the head somewhat bent under and 

 inconspicuous wing pads folded along the side (PI. XLIX, fig. 6). The antennae 

 and legs are folded under ventrally. The head, thorax, and abdomen are distinctly 

 differentiated from one another; the abdomen tapers posteriorly. 



