OF THE LARVA STATE. 67 
THE MICROGASTER GLOMORATUS. 
Size of life. 
WF 
The cocoon in which the pupa of these little 
animals are destined to remain for a time, is fur- 
nished with a distinct lid. This moves on a sort of 
hinge, which the perfect insect has the power of 
forcing open, to escape from its confinement, after it 
is transformed from the pupa envelope. 
COCOON OF THE MICROGASTER GLOMORATUS. 
Fig. 1. natural size; Fig. 2. magnified. 
Besides the larva of the Cabbage Butterfly, many 
others are liable to be preyed upon by parasites, 
similar to the Microgaster glomoratus. The col- 
lectors of lepidopterous insects are often greatly 
disappointed in consequence ; for, when they have 
gathered the caterpillars of some fine butterflies, 
moths, or sphinges, which they have fed with care, 
and seen transformed into chrysalides, from which 
they expect Butterflies to emerge in the most per- 
fect condition, they find in their stead a numerous 
brood of these minute insects. 
