324 VARIETIES, iaii^,:.,,^^ 



20. Hymenopterous Insect parasitic on the Eggs of a 

 Spider. — A few days ago, on tearing open the bag or nest of 

 the common geometric spider, I was very much surprised to 

 find that, instead of eggs, it contained several empty/?M/)«-cases 

 of one of the minute parasitical Hymenoptera, probably a 

 species of Alymar, whose larvce had evidently destroyed the 

 brood of spiders. On a further search, I found that every 

 spider's nest in its vicinity had been visited by the same 

 parasite, and in one I detected a full grown larva of a Dipte- 

 rous insect, most likely an Exorisia, but, being unfortunately 

 damaged in taking it out, I was unable to rear it. The eggs 

 of those insects which leave them exposed are, it is well known, 

 subject to the attacks of the Mymares, but I don't recollect an 

 instance where either they, or the parasitical Diptera, have 

 been noticed as depositing their " Cuckoo" eggs in those 

 apparently so well secured as the spiders are by the thick and 

 closely interwoven web which envelopes them. I will 

 endeavour to detect the female Mymar ovipositing next 

 summer, or at least to secure the perfect insect on its escape 

 from the impce., for the examination of my friend Mr. Walker, 

 whose contributions, in conjunction with those of Mr. Haliday, 

 have thrown so much light on this hitherto neglected portion 

 of the insect world. 



M,„-c/,. 1834. G. WaILES. 



21. Capture of Callicerus Spencii. — In May last I took a 

 single specimen in Battersea-fields, and for the last fortnight I 

 have made many captures of this insect at this place, on the 

 south side of hedges, by brushing ; and shall be most happy to 

 supply any of your friends with examples. 



Croft, March, 1834. G. T. RuDD. 



22. Asiraca pulchella. — I have taken this insect, both 

 males and females, in plenty, and not one of them agrees with 

 the Cicada crassicornis of Panzer, as stated in your Maga- 

 zine, Vol. I. p. 454. I have taken another species allied to, 

 but distinct from either, near Oxford ; and saw a second 

 specimen, near Ugg-Mere, last season. 



J. C. Dale. 



