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entirely destroyed down to the roots, and one larva is able to de- 
stroy several such before becoming mature. In instances where several 
larve had been at work upon one plant, this was often destroyed com- 
pletely; not a single healthy cane was left, and frequently four or five 
parallel tunnels could be found within one stalk. In rare cases the 
whole inside of the cane is a complete mass of fibers. 
During the time of my visit the most of the larvee were nearly full 
grown, although some were found measuring not more than one-half 
inch in length. The chrysalids were not so numerous, and some of 
these had already hatched. From these meager observations alone it 
can not be said with any certainty how many broods there are annually, 
yet it is almost safe to say not more than two, allowing for irregularities 
in this warm climate. All the large larve found were no doubt of the 
first brood or from larve that had hibernated and pupated, say, about 
October and November. The duration of the pupa state, judging 
from specimens bred in confinement, is extremely short, only from ten 
to twelve days, varying, however, with the temperature. During 
spring it may even take. twice this length. 
Two species of parasites were observed to prey upon this insect. 
The first is a species of Microgaster, which destroys fully one-half of 
the larve, and from 50 to 80 specimens were bred from single individ- 
ual larve. No doubt these little parasites are in constant search for 
their hosts, and not only deposit their eggs within such larve as have 
left their tunnels and are searching for new places, but also enter the 
open holes in the plant in search of them. All of the bred specimens 
were from grown or nearly grown larve. The larve of the parasites, 
as is well known, leave their host when full grown and spin a white 
silken cocoon on the outside and together, generally in the place pre- 
pared by the larve for pupation, and in four or five days, as repeatedly 
observed during January, the active little insects emerge to begin 
their useful work anew. This is certainly the most beneficial agent in 
keeping this serious pest to cane-growers in check, and without which 
it would not be possible to grow this crop successfully. I might also 
prove its usefulness upon other and closely-related species in distant 
countries if an opportunity were given. 
We may Safely say that the whole life cycle of this parasite, from egg to 
imago, will not take more than fifteen to eighteen days during the warm 
months, and that about twelve broods may be expected during the year 
to two of the moth. Thus it will be seen of what infinite value such 
minute insects are. ; 
The second species is a Chaleidid and parasitic upon the chrysalis of 
the moth. This also is a very interesting little insect. The chrysalis 
of the moth is stung by the parent parasite, and as many eggs are laid 
within as will entirely fill the shell with the larve as these become full 
grown. They then pupate, both within and without, making similar 
cocoons of the foregoing, and in due time the mature insects,which are 
