175 



GENERAL REMARKS ON CHRVSOPA MICROPHYA, 

 McLachl. 



This small lace-winq- fly is probably an introduced species but 

 lias undoubtedly been established on these islands for many 

 years. 



The stalked eggs are usually laid upon the under surface of 

 a leaf or upon a branch, generally singly, sometimes in groups of 

 3 or 4. The larva upon hatching remains for a short time rest- 

 ing upon the empty egg. As soon as it leaves the egg-stalk it 

 seeks eagerly for small particles of dirt, exuviae, etc, to place 

 upon its back ; should an Aphis or young hopper be encountered 

 during the search, it is seized and after being sucked dry, the 

 empty skin is placed upon the young larva's back. Those bred 

 in captivity became full-fed in abotrt 15 days, the adults emerg- 

 ing about 10 days later. The larvae are most voracious feed- 

 ers and besides attacking young cane-leaf-hoppers have been ob- 

 served to thrust their long mandibles into the imbedded hopper- 

 eggs and suck them. 



The oviposition has been described as follows : the female 

 having selected a suitable locality, presses the tip of the protrud- 

 ed abdomen upon the leaf surface and exudes a viscid fluid 

 (probably of a similar nature to silk) and then raises the abdo- 

 men, drawing out the viscous deposit into a thread, still at- 

 tached to the abdomen ; having proceeded thus, the egg is then 

 extruded and attached to the extremity of this tliread or egg- 

 stalk. 



The eg'g is oval, length about .75 nun., bright green, beconi- 

 irig 3'ellowish as development proceeds : it is borne upon an ex- 

 tiemely delicate hair-like stalk, 4-5 mm. in length. 



The adult larva is about 5 mm. long. Head, across the eyes 

 broader than long, depressed, pale greenish-testaceous, with 

 four pairs of blackish longitudinal bands, the median pair one- 

 third the length of the head, starting from the inner bases of the 

 mandibles, convergent posteriorly ; the extra-median pair broad- 

 er, and extending from the mandibular bases to the back of the 

 head, convergent posteriorly ; the lateral pair narrow, and ex- 

 tending from the back of the eyes to the back of the head, the 

 extra-lateral pair short and extending posteriorly from the sides 

 of the eyes, this band is divided just behind the eyes, uniting 

 shortly after. Eyes ])rominent, ])lack. Mandibles, sickle- 

 shaped, longer than the head, widely remote at their bases, tes- 

 taceous, ferruginous apicai\y. 



