288 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [November, 



it seems to attain its growth in from four to five weeks, while it remains 

 a pupa perhaps seven or eight days. As the seed capsule is dehiscent 

 when ripe the beetle probably remains within till that occurs. 



Comparatively few of the larvae, however, reach maturity, perhaps not 

 over one in one hundred, the undue multiplication of the species being 

 kept in check by two relentless Hymenopterous parasites kindly deter- 

 mined by Mr. E. T. Cresson as Pbnpla {Ichneumon) inquisitor Say, and 

 P. pterelas Say (Lee. ed. i, 375-376). These insects are possessed of very 

 long ovipositing organs with which their eggs are conveyed within the 

 pod, though the operation was not seen. This probably occurs several 

 days after the oviposition of the vulpeculus, so that its larvae may have 

 time for growth previous to the attack of that of the Pimpla. When the 

 Pimpla larva finds that of the vnlpeculns it attaches itself to it by mouth 

 and retains its hold with great tenacity, considerable force being required 

 to separate them. The vnlpeculus larva soon dies, and the other fattens 

 rapidly on its decomposing juices; in case one is not sufficient for its full 

 growth it attacks another, and perhaps another, till maturity is attained. 

 This happens when a small parasite attacks a small host, but in case the 

 host is full grown, one is sufficient. The larvae of these Piuiplas likewise 

 feed on one another, as several times I have seen one attached to a vul- 

 pectilus larva and another to this. As soon as the Pimpla larva is full 

 fed it pupates, without spinning a cocoon, and the perfect insect escapes 

 by gnawing a hole through the side of the capsule. The time of devel- 

 ment from egg to imago can scarcely exceed twenty days. — ^J. HA^^ILTON. 



Identification of Insects (Imagos) for Subscribers. 



Specimens will be named under the following conditions : 1st, The number of species 

 to be limited to twenty-five for each sending; 2d, The sender to pay all expenses of trans- 

 portation and the insects to become the property of the American Entomological Society ; 

 3d, Each specimen must have a number attached so that the identification may be an- 

 nounced accordingly. Exotic species named only by special arrangement with the Editor, 

 who should be consulted before specimens are sent. Send a 2 cent stamp with all insects 

 for return of names. Before sending insects for identification, read page 41, Vol. Ill, 

 Address all packages to Entomological News, Academy Natural Sciences, Logan 

 Square, Philadelphia, Pa. 



Entomological Liter atiJire. 



I. Report of the Entomological Department of the New Jersey 

 Agricultural College Experiment Station, by John B. Smith, Sc. D., for 

 the year 1893. Trenton, N. J., 1894. Extract from N. J. Agr. Coll. Exp. 

 Station Report 1893, pp. 437-603, 197 figs. Prof. Smith is so well and 

 favorably known for his work on these lines, that it would be presumptuous 

 on our part to attempt anything in the way of reviewing the above cited 

 Report other than to refer it to the honored and esteemed editor of the 

 Department of Economic Entomology of the News for his critical opinion. 



