No, 5. ] Notes on Ihe OviposHion of Helopeltts theivora. 35 



though it is more than half as long as the rostrum. It is difficult to 

 distiuguish it on the underside of the abdomen, folded, as it is, close 

 against the dark shiuy surface with which it matches well in colour ; 

 but, if the body be pressed, it rises from the surface and can be distinctly 

 seen with the naked eye. It is in the form of a curved, corneous process 

 rising from the centre of the sixth abdominal segment on the underside 

 and reaching to the eighth segment. Its colour, like that of the posterior 

 abdominal segments, is dark brown. Owing to the position of the egg 

 when laid it will be seen that an ovipositor of this or similar form is 

 necessary. I, however, do not think it probable that this instrument is 

 also used for making the first puncture and cavity in the stalk wherein 

 the egg is deposited. This is more likely performed by the rostrum or 

 beak. 



Abdomen and hind leg of Helopeltis theivora 2 , Waterhouse, showing tlae oviposi» 

 tor raised from the under- surface. 



Nine or ten eggs are generally found in the body of a mature female, 

 as, owing to their large size in comparison to the insect itself, there would 

 scarcely be room for more. It is possible that more eggs are formed as 

 they are laid. 



It will be seen by referring to Mr. Waterhouse's description of the in- 

 sect (Indian Economic Entomology, Vol. I, No. 4) that no mention is 

 made of the colour or markings of the abdomen^ although the latter are 

 well shown in the plate given with it. I therefore conclude that the 

 description was made from dried specimens from which the colour had 

 gone, as soft-bodied insects do not preserve it long. The abdomen in 

 fresh specimens of both sexes is invariably bright emerald green by 

 transparency, marked dorsally on the third to ninth segments with shiny 

 dark brown, fig. b. The extent of brown on the third segment is limited 

 to a small dorsal patch or is altogether absent ; on the fourth it extends 

 over the whole dorsal region ; on the fifth partially lateral and wholly 

 dorsal ; the remaining segments are all dark brown; the segmental divi- 

 sions are greenish. The male differs from the female in having the prono- 

 tum very slightly tinged with yellow ; the abdomen more slender and 

 the absence of the ovipositor. The larvae are greenish with deep ochre- 

 ous or orange legs and antennae ; in some the abdomen is distinctly 

 yellowish, although the same become green after having fed. 



D 2 



