February, 1914 Bulletin of the Brooklyn Etitomological Soctefy 5 



The length of the thorax averages about 0.50 mm. and the 

 greatest width about 0.30 mm. The thoracic segments are dis- 

 tinct, smooth, rather strongly chitinized, and separated by broad 

 intersegmental grooves. The prothorax exceeds the others in 

 size, having a length almost equal to that of the combined length 

 of the mesa- and metathorax. The prothorax and the meso- 

 thorax each have two pairs of well developed bristles on the 

 lateral margins, but the metathorax apparently bears only one 

 pair. The three pairs of similar, translucent legs (Fig. 2) are of 

 approximately equal development and constitute efficient organs 

 of locomotion. They are from one and one-third to one and one- 

 half times as long as the width of the thorax and bear a number of 

 spines and bristles. The single terminal tarsal joint of each leg 

 bears two well developed, divergent, slightly curved claws. 



The ten abdominal segments, with the exception of the last 

 two, are all similar in shape and structure, but show a shght 

 diminution in width toward the posterior end. The interseg- 

 mental grooves are broad and distinct. Each segment bears a 

 number of bristles of different lengths, some rather long, others 

 short. The two caudal segments are much smaller than the 

 preceding ones. The terminal segment bears two long bristles; 

 the penultimate bears at least four pairs of bristles one of which 

 is rather long. Each of the other segments bears one pair of long, 

 conspicuous bristles and several shorter ones. 



The larvae were very active from the moment of hatching 

 and apparently began foraging for food immediately. Un- 

 fortunately none of them lived many days, due, no doubt, to the 

 fact that the proper food could not be supplied. The active 

 habits of the larva and the strongly developed mandibles are 

 suggestive of the possible food habits of this form. It seems safe 

 to call this a predaceous lar^^-a of terrestrial habit, or possibly of 

 arboreal habit as suggested by Needham. It is possible that the 

 eggs may be laid on the leaves of vegetation as in the case of 

 ChauUodes, and on hatching the young larvae may subsist on the 

 small plant lice or other delicate insect life which may occur on 

 the supporting plant. It is the hope of the writer that the above 

 description of the egg and the larva, together with whatever may 

 be suggested as to food habits, will make it possible for some one 

 to complete the long sought for life history of this interesting 

 insect. 



