30 N. S. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



those of the male. Length of abdomen about the same as 

 that of the male, but considerably wider. Antennae black, 

 8.m. m. — 9. m. m. long; legs with white and black markings. 



Natural Enemies. 



At the time of writing, we have been unable to secure any 

 parasites in connection with this experiment, although a num- 

 ber of dipterous pupae were noticed attached to larvae collected 

 in the field. Doubtless other parasites will be secured from 

 the hibernating material now being carried over. 



Sanderson (6)quotes Newell as having observed Podisus 

 spinosus. Dall., attacking the larvae of acraea, vigorously. He 

 also states that the caterpillars were frequently parasitized by 

 Apanteles rileyanus, Ashm. 



During this experiment 200 caterpillars were collected 

 from the fields, road sides, etc., and fed in cages with the object 

 of rearing parasites. This, however, proved a failure, for at 

 the end of one week's feeding, 27.5% of the caterpillars died 

 from underter mined fungous and bacterial diseases; at the end 

 of two week's 72.5% were dead from the same causes. While 

 this collection of caterpillars proved unsuccessful, as far as se- 

 curing parasites was concerned, it showed that the species is 

 very largely controlled by fungous and bacterial diseases, at 

 least in some seasons. The dead and mummied bodies of the 

 caterpillars are sometimes found adhering to their various food 

 plants in strikingly life-like attitudes, just as they have been 

 destroyed by their fungous enemies. 



Acknowledgments. 



The writer is indebted to Prof. Brittain for suggestions in 

 carrying on the work, also for assistance in preparing the manu- 

 script. Mr. L. G. Saunders gave valuable laboratory assist- 

 ance and Mr. W. E. Whitehead is responsible for the accom- 

 panying photographs. 



Literature Cited. 



1. Harris, T. W. 



1823. The Salt Marsh Caterpillar. Mass. Agr. 

 Report and Jour. 7, : 322-333. 



