42 IMPORTED PARASITES. 



time, and since no gypsy moth pupae were received in good con- 

 dition from any of the Italian or French collectors, its impor- 

 tance was not recognized. 



In 1908, for the first time since 1905, a quantity of gypsy 

 moth pupse was received from Italy, through the courtesy of 

 Professor Leonardi of the School of Agriculture, Portici, and 

 from them quite large numbers of the parasite were reared. At 

 first, with the recorded secondary parasitism of the species in 

 mind, considerable care was exercised to prevent the escape of 

 any of the specimens until their true relation to the gypsy moth 

 should be established. At last, after a rather tedious series of 

 microscopic studies, supplemented by dissections of the para- 

 sitized pupse, it was definitely demonstrated that the Chalcis 

 >which issued from the Tachinid puparia were different from 

 those which came from pupa direct ; in other words, there were 

 several species of the genus Chalcis, closely resembling each 

 other in their appearance, but differing entirely in their habits. 

 One of them was, beyond further dispute, a primary parasite 

 of the gypsy moth, and was immediately liberated in the field, 

 while the others were destroyed as fast as secured. 



In 1909 a few more were received in importations of gypsy 

 pupse from Italy and France, and another small colony was 

 established. It is known definitely that reproduction in the field 

 followed immediately after, but there is insufficient assurance 

 that the species is acclimatized in America, since it has not been 

 recovered a full year after its colonization. If it disperses as 

 rapidly as do most of the parasites, it will be some years before 

 it is again recovered as the result of the last summer's coloniza- 

 tion. During this period it is hoped that additional importa- 

 tions will make it possible to establish larger and stronger 

 colonies of what, if it can exist here, is very likely to become 

 a parasite of some importance. 



In both 1908 and 1909 Chalcis flavipes was carried through 

 all of its transformations in gypsy moth pupse in the laboratory ; 

 and, but for the fact that a supply of host pupse cannot be pro- 

 vided except, during a very limited season each year, it would 

 be practicable to institute propagation work similar to that 

 which has been so successful with Schedius and Calosoma. Only 

 about one month is required for the complete life cycle from 



