IS 



How hardl}' the Dryinid parasites are at times pressed by their 

 ^./arious hyperparasites, we often observed. To cite one instance, 

 from about fifty cocoons of several species of parasites, obtained 

 from grass-eating Liburniae at Redlynch near Cairns, one soli- 

 tary male Echthrodclphax alone emerged, all the rest being 

 hyperparasitized, and similar observations were made in several 

 localities. 



In estimating the value of the Dryinidae we should note the 

 fact that, so far as is known, a dryinized leaf-hopper may be 

 counted as a dead hopper. In no case is it probable that it 

 would be capable of reproduction after being stung by the para- 

 site, and usually it dies at the moment of emergence of the larva 

 of the latter. In one instance a very large nymph of a Siphanta, 

 bearing a larva of a Paradryiiuts, after the latter left it, had sufifi- 

 cient strength to moult, and produced a crippled mature insect, 

 which quickly died; but this case was quite unique. Nymphs of 

 leaf-hoppers bearing a parasite never attempt to moult. On the 

 other hand, where a Dryinid attacks mature leaf-hoppers, these 

 njay of course have already deposited their eggs, but such cases 

 are probably few. 



MATURE LARVAE OF DRYINIDAE. 



On leaving the host, the full-grown larva* is of elongate-ovate 

 form, pointed anteriorly when extended, the anterior segments 

 being much narrower than the posterior, the head more or less 

 retractile and like the mouth parts, usually very mobile. The 

 cuticle is microscopically rugulose or corrugated, sometimes 

 quite bare as in some Neodryimis and Paradryinns, but in Fscudo- 

 gonatopiis (at least in some species), there are several longitu- 

 dinal rows of very short and widely separated bristles and a row 

 of latero-subventral ones on each side are more developed, 

 placed on tubercles more developed than the others. In Neoche- 

 Jogyniis destructor the segments are circularly ridged and the 

 rdges set with minute tubercles placed close together, each 

 tubercle bearing a longish hair. 



The chitinization of the head varies in different genera or 

 species, but conspicuous always are the large mandibles. In 

 some Neodryimis and Paradryinus these appear to have an 

 oblique cutting edge, which is crenulate or denticulate. In' 

 Ncochclogynus tlfey appear to be simple and simply pointed at 



*The larva of Gonatopvxs has been fully described by Mik (see bibliographic list. 



