286 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



powder removed. The reason is apparent, since the egg cavity 

 of the Fulgorid serves the purpose of feeding its parasite ; if 

 this grub attracts her for any other purpose, I cannot conceive 

 any motive in its object 



From time to time I have become acquainted with most 

 of our Natal Fulgoridce, and on these I have never noticed any 

 signs of parasites. One insect (? Dictyophara sp.)* which I 

 received from P. Shepstone some years ago I sent to Mr. Distant, 

 with what looked like a small membracid larva attached to 

 one of its wings. My recent observations now confirm it to be 

 a parasite similar to the one we have been describing, but 

 unfortunately this package, with other Ehynchota, never reached 

 its destination. 



It will now be interesting to learn how the cocoon is pre- 

 pared ; this necessitates us going back to the larva. During 

 this stage I was able to watch, with much interest, the manner 

 in which this little engineer worked, showing great persistency 

 in attaining its object, and before I close its career, with the 

 opportunity at hand, I will describe it further. In removing 

 both grub and host to a glass jar with some foliage, by accident 

 the larva was brushed off; having lost its grip and finding 

 itself separated from its host, it at once moved away, looking 

 and feeling for the Fulgorid, as so it appeared. Acquaintances 

 being resumed, and without any apparent notice on the part of 

 the Fulgorid, which allowed it to approach and try its luck 

 again of regaining its place. After many acrobatic failures it 

 gave it up ; having felt round for something else, and not liking 

 the glassy sides, it finally decided upon a leaf; its legs not 

 being adapted for clutching smooth surfaces, this was remedied 

 by a preparation of fine silky threads, with which it covered the 

 leaf and made progress easy. The difficulty obviated, its next 

 move was to remove some of the mantle which covered it, 

 and prepare a foundation for the cocoon. Those who made a 

 study during schoolboy days of keeping silkworms (Bombyx 

 mori) will understand these preliminaries and the pleasure that 

 attended them. For some time I watched these proceedings, the 

 larva working vigorously, removing first the fleece that covered 

 its lower body, twisting its body at all angles without shifting 



* • Insecta Trans vaaliensia,' vol. i. p. 190. 



