160 [June, 1903. 



recently examined both sexes, captured by Mr. E. 0. H. Davics at St. Ervaii in 

 Cornwall. It is a stout species with somewhat clouded wings and elongate, uni- 

 colorous antennae. Cucultia balsamitix is indicated as its liost by Brischke,and Van 

 Vollenhoven, who figures it well (Piiiac), tells us it is a common parasite of 

 Hadena o/eracea, though hardly, I expect, in Britain. 



E. j!THlOPS, cJ $ . — Introduced in 1870 ; this is probably one of those earlier 

 species of the Gravenhorstian genus, whose right to inclusion therein was doubted 

 by Thomson since he makes no mention of it. The head (excepting the white clypeus, 

 etc., of the (? ), antennae, thorax, abdomen, and hind tarsi, are immaculate. 



E. CALOBATtJS. — The ? was described from British and Piedmont ese specimens 

 in 1829 ; Bridgman first described the S (Entom., 1878, p. 3R). 



E. L^VIGATOE, c? ?■ — Introduced in 1856; the body is stouter and the 

 unicolorous antennae, especially of the ? , shorter than in the next species. It is 

 probably common, and both sexes have been taken by Mr. Piffard at Felden. 



E. ILLUSOR, t? ?. — Also introduced in 1856 ; the ? , excepting its red body, 

 very strongly resembles that of E. cinctipes, but the head and thorax are more 

 shining and strongly punctate, the former is broader, the antennae thinner, wings 

 smaller with venation darker, nietathorax apically more prominent at the sides 

 with the metapleural costse more distinct. I bi'cd it in June, 190O, and 1902, along 

 with E. cinctipes, probably' also from Mamestra brassicce, from Burnley ; and possess 

 examples from Retford, Ashby, Bristol, Ipswicli, and the New Forest. It has also 

 been bred from Hadena coofigua (Brischke), Mamestra jjemicaria- (Entom., 1881, 

 p. 141), and perliaps also Arctia caja {I.e. 1883, p. 67). 



On Exktastks cincttpes, Retz 



" It is difficult to account for the absence of the surface-cater- 

 pillars from our field crops for many years together, unless, as is 

 generally the case, they are occasionally overpowered by parasitic 

 insects," says Curtis (Farm Insects, p. 130) ; and in this respect it 

 may be useful to instance a few points with regard to the economy 

 of Exetastes cinctipes, which have not, to the best of my knowledge, 

 been previously observed, more especially as little doubt remains 

 that to this species we owe to a larger extent than has yet been 

 appreciated the preservation of our garden vegetables. In October 

 and November, 1899, Mr. J. Wigin sent me some 550 cocoons of this 

 species from Methley near Leeds, which he found in his garden while 

 digging potatoes, and which, he says, " will be mostly from Mamestra 

 hrassicee and Hadena oleracea.'''' At the end of October, 190©, he 

 was good enough to send another hundred ; and in October, 1901, 

 tW'O more large consignments. These I shall term a, h and c. On 

 October, 10th 1899, one ? Exetastes made what was doubtless a very 

 late and probably accidental emergence, and four days later appeared 

 the only Mesochorus tJioracicus, Grav. ($), which I have bred; the 



