July, 1903] IQl 



latter was doubtless hyperparasitic, through Exefnstes, upon one o£ 

 the above hosts, as also is M. (Astiphromus) mandihitlm'is, Thoiiis., 

 which is the species referred to in every subsequent instance. These 

 are the only two autumnal emergences, all the rest appearing to be 

 restricted to the months of June and July, thus : — 



Of «, 8 ? 9 and 9 <J tJ Exetastes, but no Mesochovus,~oi c, LO Exetastes <J <J ? ? and 1 ^ Mesochorut— failed 

 to emerge, though perfect. 



Concerning the mortality, T may say that in the first consign- 

 ment there were, mingled with the cocoons, 40 detached and 13 

 attached Noctuid larva skins ; one cocoon contained Chalcids ; 23 

 Exetastes larvffi had died of mould and 4 from obscure causes. That 

 received in November, 1899, produced none the same year ; one half- 

 developed imago Exetastes had died of obscure causes ; one nearly 

 fully-developed imago and 6 larvae had died of mould, in one of 

 which latter the hyperparasitic Mesoclwrus larva was very obvious ; 

 2 larva; died of obscure causes ; and 31 cocoons contained Chalcids, 

 of which the first emerged on June 19th, while in one the Chalcid 

 larvfe were found to have died, though to be still soft, in October, 

 1900 (these adipose larva? doubtless take a long time to dessicate 

 when enclosed in a cocoon). Concerning h, 3 larvje died of mould 

 and 7, as well as one pupa, from obscure causes ; and in one cocoon 

 Chalcids were parasitic, certainly upon Mesoclwrus* the cocoon still 

 containing 18 living yellow Chalcid larvfe and pupae and the dead 

 Mesochorus pupa in April, 1902. Concerning c, two half-developed 

 imagines and 4 larvae had died of obscure causes (in one instance 

 probably through the impression of the cocoon, though this does not 

 always lead to fatality, nor even retard perfect development and 



* Here we have Chalcids preying upon Mesochorus, which preys upon Exetastes, which preys 

 upon Noctuids ! „ 



