124 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



M. filator (Hal.). — Appears to be common, though I have 

 only once taken it in the New Forest, on November 15th, 1910, 

 when a female was beaten from holly. Generally found in the 

 autumn, and is said to be a parasite of larvae which feed in the 

 fungus Polyphorus versicolor. 



M.fragilis (Wesm.). Fig. 4. — A delicate species with long, 

 slender antennae and legs ; the second abdominal segment is flavo- 

 testaceous, with two black spots on the disc ; these spots seem 

 to be quite constant, and are a great help in identifying the 

 species. 



A solitary parasite of small larvae of Lepidoptera. The 

 cocoon is pensile, somewhat similar to that of M. pulchricornis, 

 though rather more elongate and brighter brown in colour, 

 5-6 mm. in length. From the time the parasite larva leaves 

 the host to the emergence of the imago from the cocoon, a period 

 of from eight to thirteen days elapses. Bred frequently from 

 small larvae of Hylophila hicolorana, September 8th to 12th, and 

 also once from the same host on May 9th, so that probably both 

 spring and autumn broods prey on this larva. Also bred from 

 larvae of Nola cuculatella, June 17th, 1912, and June 19th, 1912. 



M. luridus (Wesm.). — This is a gregarious parasite of the 

 larvae of Lepidoptera. The parasites leave the host and form 

 their cocoons within the underground chamber constructed by 

 the host for the purpose of pupation, though sometimes in 

 captivity the cocoons are to be found scattered on the surface of 

 the earth, or in bunches connected by a few threads. This may, 

 of course, happen in a state of nature, but I do not think it 

 usual. The cocoons are heaped together and are fusiform, 

 brown, with a lighter spot at the smaller end, not shining, and 

 covered with a thin web of filaments, as mentioned by Marshall, 

 4^ mm. to 5^ mm. in length. Fourteen days or so generally 

 elapse between the emergence of the parasite larvae from the 

 host and the appearance of the imagines. 



When courting, the male of this species follows the female 

 with rapidly vibrating wings, repeatedly tapping the apices of 

 her wings, which she keeps folded, with his mandibles. 



I have obtained many broods, the largest consisting of thirty- 

 two individuals, the smallest of four, and also once bred it as a 

 solitary parasite. Females appear to predominate, for in- 

 stance : — Twenty-six females, six males ; fourteen females, four 

 males; twenty-three, all females; seven, all females. I have, 

 however, one brood of ten, all males. 



Commonly parasitic on the larvae of Aplecta (Mamestra) 

 nehulosa, often quite thirty per cent, of these larvae succumbing, 

 yet larvae of other Noctuae, similar in size, collected at the same 

 time, often from the same bushes, have not been affected. From 

 this host I bred it on May 24th, 1908, broods of thirty-two 

 and twenty-four; May 25th, 1908 (nineteen), June 2nd, 1908 



