89 
ture is necessary for the growth and development of the worms although 
it has been assumed that the eggs might bear more or less desiccation. 
The eggs of the species parasitic on white-grubs are no doubt laid in the 
soil and it is to be presumed that the worms enter the body of the grub 
after hatching in the soil, although it is likewise possible that infestation 
occurs from eggs or young larvae taken into the body with food. 
A West InprIan GRuB-PARASITE (CAMPSOMERIS DORSATA Fabr.) 
Mr. D. L. Van Dine has reported Campsomeris dorsata as a parasite 
of a white grub in Porto Rico-(77 and 78), and more recently Mr. W. 
Nowell has given an extensive account of this species (53) as a parasite 
of Ligyrus tumulosus Burm., which may have been the grub referred 
to by Van Dine. Whether it may also be a parasite of Phyllophaga or 
Phytalis grubs is not known, but Van Dine’s record seems to justify 
mention of it as a possibility. Ligyrus twmulosus larvae live in manure 
and in soil rich in decaying matter, and the wasp in oviposition com- 
pletely paralyzes the grub and then lays an egg on the under surface of 
the body, the egg being deposited on end and at right angles to the axis 
of the body. The green June-beetle [Cotinus (Allorhina) nitida] has 
similar habits, and according to our observations its common parasite 
(Scolia dubia Say) attacks the grub and oviposits almost exactly as 
does C. dorsata. The wasps of Campsomeris are like Elis adults in 
frequenting flowers, and in the sleeping habits of the males. 
Predaceous insect-enemies of larva 
Ropper-Fuizs (Astmipap) 
The larvae of several species of robber-flies (Asilidae) are pre- 
daceous on Phyllophaga grubs, and doubtless many other species of 
this group of flies will be found similarly active and much more bene- 
ficial in destroying underground insects than has been supposed. 
The adult robber-flies are more or less beneficial in that they prey 
upon other insects, and we have seen one species (Proctacanthus mil- 
bertti) capture and destroy such active and hard-backed beetles as 
tiger-beetles (Cicindela 12-guttata Dej.). They are often considered 
harmful and are frequently referred to as “bee-killers’” because of their 
habit of catching honey-bees. 
Larvae of Asilidae belonging to six genera (Promachus, Erax, 
Deromyia, Asilus, Ceraturgus, and Proctacanthus) are treated in the 
following pages as actual, probable, or possible predaceous enemies of 
white-grubs, the last two classes being included mainly for the benefit 
of other workers who may have opportunity for further observation of 
their habits. 
