No, 5, ] Notes on the OviposHion of Helopeltis theivora. 33 



NOTES ON THE OVIPOSITION 

 OE HELOPELTIS THEIVORA (WATERHOUSE). 

 ("MOSQUITO BLIGHT/0 

 BY G. C. DUDGEON. 



In readinsr over the dtiscriptions of the various stages of Helopeltis 

 theivora (Waterhouse), publislied in the hiclian Museum Notes and 

 Notes ou Economic Entomology, I can find no correct account of the 

 oviposition of this insect ; I see also that a correspondent describes the 

 eg-g-s as being" laid on the lower leaves of the bushes. This is a most 

 misleading statement and, doubtless, what he took to be eggs of this 

 blight, were that of another insect or perhaps not even eggs at all. In 

 some rough notes which I made on the insect in 1888, resulting from 

 a rather imperfect examination of the same, I discovered that the eggs 

 were laid in the interior of the green stems of tea, and that their shape 

 was slightly bent, elongate ovals with the upper end truncate. I also 

 noticed at that time that their presence was made manifest by four 

 short and stiff threads on the outside of the stem. These threads can 

 be seen with the naked eye. The eggs, I observed, were laid in pairs ; 

 each Q^^ bearing two threads on the outer and truncate end. I made 

 known my discovery to several persons, but do not remember whether 

 1 published any account of it. I have since been assured, however, that 

 this discovery was made before by some one else. This may be so, but 

 I have not seen any publication announcing it.^ 



Helopeltis theivora Waterhouse. — Egg jnst previous to hatching, also empty egg 

 shell from which the larva has emerged, magnified 58 diameters. 



Recently, having more opportunities for examining both the eggs 

 and the insect itself, I have verified my previous results except in the 



^ A description of the method of oviposition of Selopeltis theivora was first given 

 by the late Mr. J. Wood-Mason in his Report on the Tea bug and tea mite of Assam- 

 The eggs were subsequently described in Indian Museum Notes, Vol. II, p. 43, from 

 notes furnished by Mr. C. N. Harcourt. — E. C. C. 



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