III. — Some Hypcrmetamorphic Beetles and Their 

 Hymenopierous Hosts 



by w. dwight pierce 



Introduction 1 



The accompanying paper is the result of the study of the life- 

 history of certain beetles. These beetles are parasites upon Or- 

 thoptera and Hymenoptera. As a result of this parasitic habit 

 their metamorphosis is prolonged and modified, occasioning that 

 series of supernumerary changes which is designated as hyper- 

 metamorphosis. The study of the group brings out many inter- 

 esting points in the life cycle of such parasites. In the discussion 

 of the hosts of these beetles interesting notes are also recorded 

 concerning their life-history and economy, and additional records 

 are given of other parasites on the same hosts, indicating a great 

 whirlpool of parasitism. 



The treatise is divided into three distinct sections. Part I is 

 a systematic account of the hypermetamorphic beetles as a whole, 

 and includes descriptions and tables. Part II is a biological study 

 of the life-history of one of these beetles (Myodites solidaginis), 

 so far as the personal observation of the writer has reached. 

 Part III is a biological study of the conditions existing in the 

 homes of the host of the beetle (Epinomia triangulifera) . 



The author's acknowledgments are due to Professors L. Bru- 

 ner and R. H. Wolcott, to Mr. Myron Swenk of the University 

 of Nebraska, and to Mr. J. C. Crawford, Jr., of West Point, 



1 Notice to Bibliographers. This paper includes important notes on sev- 

 eral subjects and should be indexed by cross-references. The author does 

 not wish to be presumptuous, but thinks that it would be of considerable 

 aid to those working on the subjects if the article were indexed under its 

 subtitles. For this reason the following references are suggested as import- 

 ant: Nebraska, Parasitism, Hypermetamorphosis, Meloidae, Myodites, 

 Rhiphiphorus, Stylops, Xenos, Apoidea, Vespoidea. 



University Studies, Vol. IV, No. 2, April, 1904. 



153 



