[147] BIOGRAPHY OF HEMILEUCA MAI A. 15 



be parasitic on Dryocampa stigma&quot;* An examination of the remains 

 of the larva showed that only the skin was left; the parasite through 

 its consumption of the entire interior portions had attained such a 

 size that in the contraction of its pupal change, it had broken through 

 the larval skin ventrally, disclosing one-half of the cocoon, while the 

 other half occupied all of the skin except the extremities. The cocoon 

 is regularly oval in form, and measures .35 of an inch in length. 



Of the second parasite twenty-five individuals were obtained from 

 six larvae between the 5th and 12th of July, the number from each 

 larva varying from one to ten. Their small, white, elongate-oval 

 cocoons were spun upon the outside of the larva, and after a few days of 

 pupation (the period was not noted) gave out through their apical lid 

 the imago, which, according to Mr. Cresson, is an undetermined species 

 of Microgaster. 



The editors of the American Entomologist have had sent to them 

 a Maia larva with its body covered with the egg-like cocoons of some 

 Hymenopterous Ichneumon, the species of which had not been ascer 

 tained by them, but which was probably the above Microgaster. 



Pupation. After about a day passed by the larvse in traveling 

 around the box in which they were inclosed, among and beneath the 

 leaves with which the ground was strewn, they selected their positions 

 for pupation. The larger number prepared for themselves a simple 

 cell, by scooping out the ground from beneath a leaf, to the depth of 

 the diameter of their body ; a few buried themselves just beneath the 

 surface, barely covered by a mantle of grains of earth, loosely spun 

 together. 



On the 22d of July occurred the first transformation to the pupa, 

 and the last about August 1st. Several of the larvae died without 

 entering their pupal state, which may have been the result of transfer 

 ring them too soon to the pupa-box. ISfo change of color was per 

 ceived, indicating their having arrived at maturity ; f but they were 

 presumed to have attained that stage when they descended from the 

 leaves, and seemed disinclined to remain upon them when replaced, or 

 to partake of food. About forty of the colony passed safely through 

 their inoltings, and assumed their pupal form. 



Pupa (Plate 8, fig. 2). Color, black ; cephalic and thoracic region 

 uniformly rounded, with the exception of a slight sutural elevation 

 between the first and second segments; antennae-cases and leg-cases 



* Some parasites, bred by Mr. Bassett of Waterbury, Ct., from larvae which were 

 identified by Mr. Riley as those of Dryocampa senatoria, were, upon examination, 

 found to be identical with these. In the larval remains from which they had been 

 procured, a similar cocoon had been formed, and occupying the same position in. 

 relation to the larva as those above described. 



f Among the Sphingidae, the readiness for pupation is unerringly indicated bj a 

 material change in color to^duller and diffused shades. 



