100 Annals Entomological Society of America [Vol. IX, 



arrhenotokous, but there has been no opportunity for carrying 

 parthenogenesis through several successive generations. 



When there is opportunity, mating occurs shortly after 

 emergence, and there is little doubt that one male is capable of 

 fertilizing several females. Oviposition may begin very shortly 

 after emergence. In fact, it is difficult to remove females from 

 cages and make sure that they have not oviposited in other 

 puparia in the same cage. The females continue oviposition 

 for several days. In cages, adults usually do not live longer~ 

 than three to six days, but if they do not oviposit their life may 

 be much longer. In one cage they have lived seventeen days. 

 They feed on sugar solution, but have not been observed 

 feeding at punctures in the host made by the ovipositor. 



The females will oviposit in purparia concealed in young 

 wheat plants and in dry dead stubbles as well as in uncovered 

 puparia. It seems to make no difference whether the puparium 

 contains a larval or a pupal host, as both stages are successfully 

 parasitized. 



EGG. 



The eggs of this parasite are deposited in the body cavity of 

 the host. Ten eggs averaged 0.166 mm. in length by 0.057 mm. 

 in greatest width. They are white and translucent and the 

 chorion is devoid of sculpture. The eggs are ovate and stalked, 

 the stalk being about one-third the length of the egg proper. 

 The stalk is attached excentrically at one end of the egg, 

 slightly curved toward its main axis, and is wide at the base 

 tapering rapidly to a rather bluntly rounded apex. 



LARVA. 



Nearly grown larvae are yellowish white with the exception 

 of the light brown mandibles. The head is about twice as wide 

 as long and bears at each antero-lateral region a large conical 

 process directed forward. These lateral projections are pecu- 

 liarly striking and may be simply a means of exposing more 

 surface to the fluids of the host. The front between these 

 processes is almost straight, but there is a decided concavity 

 ventrally between the lateral processes. The mandibles are 

 simple, conical, sharply pointed, slightly curved, and the tips 

 slightly overlap. The mouth opens just below them. The body 

 apparently consists of thirteen segments. These are distinct in 

 the anterior region but posteriorly are difficult to distinguish. 



