THE ALFALFA LOOPEK IN PACIFIC NOKTHWEST. 



115 



On July 29, 1909, a larva was observed with a cocoon fastened 

 between the middle and anal prolegs (PI. XI, fig. 3). The moth 

 larva was still alive, though unable to move from the cocoon, and died 



On August 1 an adult hymenopteron, Micro* 



the following dav. 



Fig. 46. — Rhogas autographcr, a hymenopterous parasite of the pupal stage of the alfalfa 



looper. Greatly enlarged. (Original.) 



plitis alaskensis Ashm., emerged from this cocoon. The cocoon 

 of this parasite (fig. 48, c) is pale green, 5 mm. long, cylindri- 

 cally ovoid, and slightly pointed at the anterior end. In emerging 

 the adult very neatly cuts a cap from the anterior end, this cap 

 often remaining fastened to the co- 

 coon by a few threads. On August 

 12 another larva was found bearing 

 one of these cocoons, and on August 

 14 an adult parasite emerged. 



Micro plitis n. sp., determined by 

 Mr. H. L. Viereck, was reared from 

 the larvae of these moths on June 28, 

 1910. This j^rasite spins a tan- 

 colored cocoon which measures 3.53 

 mm. in length (fig. 48, a). 



Sargaritis websteri Vier. is one of the most numerous parasites of 

 the alfalfa looper at Pullman, Wash. The first specimen obtained 

 emerged on August 14, 1909. The following year specimens emerged 

 June 21, July 5, and July 25. This species spins a cocoon (fig. 48, b) 



Fig. 47. — Larval skin of alfalfa looper 

 from which Rhogas autographw has 

 issued : a, Dorsal aspect ; o, lateral 

 aspect. Enlarged 6 diameters. (Orig- 

 inal.) 



