CRYPTUS NUNCIUS. 201 



162 apple-worm cocooiis. In these lie found great variation in size, some 

 measuring but one-fourth of an inch in length, while others reached 

 one-half. 



Roughly describing this parasite, we may say that it presents a nearly 

 black appearance above, the under side of 

 the abdomen being honey-yellow. When 

 viewed with a lens, the upper surface of the 

 abdomen is seen to be covered with close 

 punctures, while the thorax is nearly smooth. 

 The legs are reddish yellow with the excep- 

 tion of the middle joint of the hind pair, 

 which is black, with a broad yellow ring in 

 its middle. The hind feet are dusky. The 

 female ovipositor is dark shining red. The 

 palpi are pale yellow. According to Cresson 

 (the authority on American Ichneumonidae), 



annulipes may be distinguished from other , 



FIG. 45. Pinmlii umailipes. 



specimens of the genus by the scutellum 



(the hind part of the thorax) being black, the tegulae (scales at the base 

 of the front wings) white, and the anterior coxae (round joints at the base 

 of the front legs) yellowish red. 



Professor Eiley states that the ring-legged piinpla eats its way through 

 the chrysalis and cocoon of the codling moth without having previously 

 made any cocoon of its own ; and we may reasonably suppose the same 

 to be the case when it infests the cotton- worm, making it similar to 

 Pimpla conquisitor in this respect. 



CEYPTUS NUNCIUS, Say. Another ichneumonid parasite, belonging to 

 a different genus from the last two discussed, and known by the above 

 scientific name, was bred from cotton chrysalides, on two occasions or 

 more, in the department last season. It is a very common parasite, and 

 has been often bred in large numbers from the cocoons of the larger 

 Bombycid moths. I have bred no less than 35 individuals from one 

 cocoon of Telea polyphemus. It is probable that several may occasionally 

 be bred from one chrysalis of Aletia, but the notes taken on this point 

 last year are in the possession of Professor Kiley. 



The following is Say's original description of this insect : 



C. nuncius. Black ; abdomen, excepting the base and tip, rufous. 



Inhabits Pennsylvania. 



Body black, palpi white, blackish at tip ; antennae of the female with a long white 

 annulns in the middle; thorax immaculate; two impressed lines; wings hyaline; 

 nervurcs brown; stigma rather slender; second cubital cellule rather large, penta- 

 gonal, the two angles on the radial uervure nearly rectangular ; recurrent uervures 

 almost rectilinear ; tergum, basal segment wholly or in part black ; second, third, and 

 generally half of the fourth rufous or honey-yellow, remaining segments black; 

 oviduct nearly half the length of the abdomen ; feet honey-yellow ; posterior pair of 

 tibiae at tip and knees black ; posterior taisi pale yellowish. 



Length about two-fifths of an inch. 



I obtajued many specimens from the larva of Attacus promethia, Linn., several 

 years ago. 



