23 



in the spring, and lie describes a method for the artificial propagation 

 of the parasite, which results in the early production of the adults. 

 Since Spalangia does not discriminate between various species of fly 

 puparia, the work of artificial propagation is greatly facilitated. For 

 the breeding of the parasites, the author devised a cage made from 

 an empty honey box, measuring 8 x 14 x 9| inches ; glass is closely 

 fitted in the front and top, and a hole 4 inches in diameter is cut in either 

 end. Around the inside edge of each hole is tacked one end of a cuff 

 of soft muslin cloth : these should be about 9 inches in length, the outer 

 end being gathered with an elastic, so as to fit the wrist of the operator 

 closely when the hands are inserted into the box ; when not in use, 

 the cuffs are tied up. A hole 1 inch in diameter is cut in the bottom of 

 the cage, which with the exception of this hole, is covered with oil 

 cloth, above which a layer of white blotting paper completely covers 

 the bottom of the cage ; a narrow strip of blotting paper is sewn to 

 the large piece in such a position as to extend through the hole in the 

 bottom of the cage into a vessel containing water beneath ; this keeps 

 the blotting paper layer always moist. The cage is mounted on four 

 legs 3| ill. long. A small amount of damp straw is then placed in the 

 cage on the blotting paper. When the cage is ready, the parasites, 

 either in the adult or larval stage, are introduced ; if adult parasites 

 be put into the cage, the pupae from which they emerged should accom- 

 pany them 111 order to furnish food and protection. Unparasitised 

 pupae should then be introduced from time to time. The cage must 

 be kept in direct sunlight and in a warm room, at a temperature of 

 75°-80° F. A week or two after the first pupae have been exposed 

 to the parasites, they should be put in a separate place, and fresh 

 pupae added ; the parasitised pupae may be recognised by their dark 

 colour. As the parasites emerge, they should be transferred into 

 breeding boxes as described. When a sufficient number of Spalangia 

 has emerged to proceed with breeding, the other puparia parasitised 

 in the cages should be examined. When it is found that most of the 

 parasites are in the pupal stage, the entire lot should be removed to 

 a refrigerator or cold storage room in which the temperature is kept 

 uniformly between 50° and 55° F. These temperatures check develop- 

 ment, and retard emergence until a few weeks before it is planned to 

 liberate the insects in the field. Parasites should always be liberated 

 near barns or straw stacks, where flies are known to be breeding. 



Richardson (C. H.). Studies on the Habits and Development of a 

 Hymenopterous Parasite, Spalangia muscidanun, Richardson. 

 ~JJ. Morph.,Phikidelphia, xxiv,no. 4, 20th Dec. 1913, pp. 513-549, 

 4 pi. 



The genus Spalangia is widely distributed throughout North America 

 and Europe ; a number have also been recorded from Central and South 

 America and the Hawaiian Islands. The}^ appear to be absent from 

 Australia, Asia and Africa, but this may be due to the lack of a thorough 

 search for them. A list of the 28 recognised species is given, with the 

 particular region in which each occurs. Although a decided preference 

 is shown for Diptera as hosts, their parasitism is not restricted to this 

 order, and some attack Lepidoptera, while others are myrmecophilous. 

 The following is a list of insects with the name of the species by which 



