28 



PRINCIPAL CACTUS INSECTS OF UNITED STATES. 



experimental plantings the use of the gasoline torch in the spring 



and the burning of the joints that appear injured will keep the species 



in check. 



Melitara dentata Grote. 



Melitara dentata was described by Grote in 1876 from Colorado. 

 In 1892 Prof. V. L. Kellogg published an account 1 of the transforma- 

 tions of the species in the leaves of Opuntia missouriensis taken in 

 eastern Colorado. All stages were described and illustrated. The 

 occurrence of blue and white larvae, which we have observed fre- 

 quently in the case of Melitara junctolineella, was noted by Prof. 

 Kellogg. 



The same species was collected by Mr. David Griffiths in Trinidad, 



Colo., in June, 1906. 

 From this material 

 a large number of 

 parasites, Chelonus 

 laticinctus Cresson 

 (fig. 2) , were reared. 



Melitara prodenialis 

 Walker. 



Fir:. 2. — Chelonus laticinctus, a parasite of a cactus insect 

 Melitara dentata: Adult. Enlarged. (Original.) 



The species Meli- 

 tara prodenialis of 

 Walker was de- 

 scribed in 1863. In 

 1877 Miss Mary 

 Treat sent cocoons 

 from Opuntia poly- 

 ant ha collected at 

 Green Cove Springs, 

 Fla., to the Bureau of Entomology. In 1895 Mr. H. G. Hubbard 

 published an interesting account of the oviposition of the species on 

 Opuntia vulgaris at Crescent City, Fla., and also included an account 

 of the habits of the larva?. Previously Dr. J. B. Smith 2 had de- 

 scribed briefly the method of placing the eggs on the plant. These 

 few records constitute all that has ever been published concerning 

 the species. • i 



The notes on oviposition of this species and the habits of the larvsB, 

 made by Mr. H. G. Hubbard, are as follows : 



The eggs are laid at night, and the operation of depositing thorn has not heen 

 observed. It must, however, be a wonderfully interesting performance. The 

 egg-stick * * * is 80 mm. long. The separate eggs are cylindrical and 



1 Kans. T T niv. Quarterly, vol. 1, pp. 39-41. 



2 Entomological News, vol. 3, p. 208, 1892 



