THE BioLoGy OF THE CHRYSOPIDAE 1341 
(1914), and MeGregor and McDonough (1917), reported a parasitism of 
55.9 per cent. There was never a parasitism even approaching this 
figure noted during these observations. 
Parasites of the adult 
Pseudoculicoides eques Johannsen (Plate LXXXVIII) was found to 
be fairly common on the wings of several species of Chrysopidae. This 
is a little blood-sucking chironomid, which sits on the wings, buries its 
proboscis in a vein, and sucks up the blood of its host. At Ithaca during 
the month of July, 1916, an average of 9.5 per cent of all the Chrysopa 
oculata adults collected had one or more of these parasites on their wings. 
They were taken on the wings of C. oculatu and all its varieties, C. chi 
and its variety, C. nigricorms, and Meleoma signoretti. The parasites 
appear to have no choice as to the veins of their host, and as many as 
three may be found on one wing. They sit motionless while on the 
wings and hold on firmly even while the host is flying. The abdomen is 
generally distended. When disturbed the parasites fly very rapidly, 
practically leaping from place to place. Only females were found on 
the wings. The life history is unknown. The species was observed only 
in New York State. 
The parasitic mite Erythraeus also attacks the adult chrysopids. 
The mite remains securely attached to the body of its host. Specimens 
of C. rufilabris thus parasitized were taken on goldenrod in the woods, 
at Milwaukee. 
Predacious enemies 
Wildermuth (1916) points out that certain birds, such as the 
western wood pewee and the’ nighthawk, feed on adult Chrysopas in 
spite of their repellent odor. He states also that robber flies have been 
noted as catching the adults, and that some Hemiptera prey on the 
larvae. The writer has given live adults to a praying mantis, which 
devoured several daily. A red-headed woodpecker was seen to catch 
an adult, probably Chrysopa nigricornis, on the wing and devour it. 
It was observed that coccinellid larvae would eat eggs of C. oculata but 
did not devour larvae of the same species. 
FACTORS AFFECTING THE SPREAD OF THE SPECIES 
Most of the species of Chrysopidae studied have a wide distribution. 
Their flight is not adapted to long distances. It seems probable that 
the gradually increasing range of the species is being brought about 
