124 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 
M. filator (Hal.).—Appears to be common, though I have 
only once taken it in the New Forest, on November 15th, 1910, 
when a female was beaten from holly. Generally found in the 
autumn, and is said to be a parasite of larve which feed in the 
fungus Polyphorus versicolor. 
M. fragilis (Wesm.). Fig. 4.—A delicate species with long, 
slender antenne and legs ; the second abdominal segment is flavo- 
testaceous, with two black spots on the disc; these spots seem 
to be quite constant, and are a great help in identifying the 
species. 
A solitary parasite of small larve of Lepidoptera. The 
cocoon is pensile, somewhat similar to that of M. pulchricornis, 
though rather more elongate and brighter brown in colour, 
5-6 mm. in length. From the time the parasite larva leaves 
the host to the emergence of the imago from the cocoon, a period 
of from eight to thirteen days elapses. Bred frequently from 
small larve of Hylophila bicolorana, September 8th to 12th, and 
also once from the same host on May 9th, so that probably both 
spring and autumn broods prey on this larva. Also bred from 
larvee of Nola cuculatella, June 17th, 1912, and June 19th, 1912. 
M. luridus (Wesm.).—This is a gregarious parasite of the 
larve of Lepidoptera. The parasites leave the host and form 
their cocoons within the underground chamber constructed by 
the host for the purpose of pupation, though sometimes in 
captivity the cocoons are to be found scattered on the surface of 
the earth, or in bunches connected by a fewthreads. This may, 
of course, happen in a state of nature, but I do not think it 
usual. The cocoons are heaped together and are fusiform, 
brown, with a lighter spot at the smaller end, not shining, and’ 
covered with a thin web of filaments, as mentioned by Marshall, 
4} mm. to 54 mm. in length. Fourteen days or so generally 
elapse between the emergence of the parasite larve from the 
host and the appearance of the imagines. 
When courting, the male of this species follows the female 
with rapidly vibrating wings, repeatedly tapping the apices of 
her wings, which she keeps folded, with his mandibles. 
Ihave obtained many broods, the largest consisting of thirty- 
two individuals, the smallest of four, and also once bred it as a 
solitary parasite. Females appear to predominate, for in- 
stance :—Twenty-six females, six males; fourteen females, four 
males; twenty-three, all females; seven, all females. I have, 
however, one brood of ten, all males. 
Commonly parasitic on the larve of Aplecta (Mamestra) 
nebulosa, often quite thirty per cent. of these larve succumbing, 
yet larve of other Noctuz, similar in size, collected at the same 
time, often from the same bushes, have not been affected. From 
this host I bred it on May 24th, 1908, broods of thirty-two 
and twenty-four; May 25th, 1908 (nineteen), June 2nd, 1908 
