TO Sept., 1912.] Vine Moth Caterpillar Parasite. S.S3 



THE VINE MOTH CATERinLLAR PARASITE. 



By C. French, juti., Acting Government Entomologist. 



During the months of January, February, March, and April last, many 

 shrivelled-up Vine Moth caterpillars were noticed on the vine leaves. They 

 were of a dark colour. On investigating the matter, I noticed that a para- 

 site had been at work, so I made further search, and found that all the 

 live caterpillars had clu.sters of larvae on their backs. The colour of the.se 

 larvae is at first orange yellow, but when more fully grown, it is brownish 

 yellow. 



When the eggs of the parasite are first deposited on the caterpillars, 

 they are exceedingly small, but soon develop. The larvae grow fairly 

 rapidly, and spread all over the backs of the caterpillars. The time occu- 

 pied from the eggs being deposited until the larvae are fully grown, is 

 about a week. About the second day after the larvae are hatched, the' 

 caterpillars cease eating, and remain in the one place, and at the end of 

 the week thev are^ simply sucked dry by the parasite. 



When the caterpillars are dried up, the parasites cover them with a 

 silken covering, and form their cocoons, emerging from same as perfect 

 insects in a couple of weeks' time. 



When the perfect Hymenopterous in.sects were hatched out in the 



observation box, livg caterpillars of the Emperor Gum Moth, and several 



species of Cutworm Moth larvae were placed in the box. but the parasite 

 did not deposit eggs on them. 



These parasites are reported to he doing good work this season in 

 many parts of Victoria, and it is hoped that they will keep the Vine Moth 

 in check. 



C hale id. 



V'vg. I. Perfect vine-moth. Natural size. From nature. 



Fig. II. Pupa of vine-moth. Natural size. From nature. 



Fig. III. Vine leaf with vine-moth larvae. Natural size. From nature. 



[a) Full grown larva in healthy state. Natural size. From nature. 



[b) Sickly larva owing to development of parasite fly, larvre from 



deposited eggs. Natural size. From nature. 



[c) Sicklv larva owing to development of parasite fly li-jvae from 



deposited eggs. More developed state. Natural size. From 

 nature. 



[d) Further. Natural size. From nature. 



[e) Larva killed by the parasite. Natural size. From nature. 

 {/) Larva with parasite larvge changing to pupae. From nature. 

 (g) With pupae of parasitic fly. Natural size. From nature. 



Fig. IV. Parasitic fly. (Dorsal view.) Natural size. From nature. 



Fig. V. Parasitic fly. (Side view.) Natural size. From nature. 



Fig. VI. Parasitic fly. (Enlarged.) From nature. 

 10543. T 



