of a Nematus on Salix cinerea. 285 



1.55. — The Picromerus deliberately but very cautiously 

 approaches another feeding larva, and drives its outstretched 

 rostrum into the middle of the underside of its body ; the 

 victim tries to lash its hind body rapidly to and fro, and 

 anchors itself firmly by means of its three pairs of pectoral 

 legs. But the first joint of the aggressor's rostrum has 

 entered its vitals, and is kept at right angles to the remain- 

 ing joints, so that the larva appears securely hooked. 



2.10. — Larva has ceased to struggle: its fore legs have 

 lost their hold. The Hemipteron now pulled it underneath 

 its own body, and held it longitudinally, using both fore legs 

 as arms, and grasping the larva, which is Ipng on its back, 

 on each side. 



3.25. — The bug holds the same larva in the same 

 position, and still sucks its juices. 



3.33. — Parts with its victim in the same manner as 

 before, using its fore legs to hold the larva, till the rostrum 

 is withdrawn. 



4th October, 1872 : 8.20 p.m.— Found the Picromerus 

 laying on its back, dead, with fully distended abdomen. 

 From the afternoon of the 30th September last tiU now 

 it had sucked no less than 36 larv« of different sizes, that 

 is to say, partly sucked them, as the bodies are by no means 

 emptied. The bug seems only to enjoy its liquid food so 

 long as it can derive the latter fi'om the living body. 

 Directly vital action ceases in the larva sucked, the He- 

 mipteron leaves it. I have on several occasions seen the 

 Picromerus first touch its prey with the antennae, then 

 outstretch its rostrum, and rapidly move the last joint of 

 this organ up and down, a movement of anticipated enjoy- 

 ment, as it appeared to me. 



