307 



en until now, and as far as I can see there is little 

 occurring again next year, even though numbers 

 mst have hatched and laid eggs. A sharp look-out 

 , be kept for its first appearance, and information 

 ; Department of Agriculture directly it is noticed. 



This, of course, entails careful observation for some time, bul 

 should such prove to be the case, the preservation or cultivation 

 ot the food plant or plants would assist in preventing this insect's 

 attacks, these plants being used as traps. 



arise between the insect and its parasites. 



During one year the eggs of the insect may have been 

 Parasitised to a large extent, and consequently a far greater number 

 ot Parasites will appear than the true insect itself. The parasite, 

 as it gradually gains the upper hand, will decrease in number on 

 account of the greater rarity of food. Hence in the course of 

 ur ne the latter is reduced to "a small number, and the pest again 

 f*s the opportunity to increase in individuals, and will do so until 

 th ?? tro >" ers a g ain gain the upper hand. I think it is m »t unlikek 

 nat bo to 70 per cent, of the eggs from a large brood are parasitised. 



Description of Larva. 



havJk* larva is a sma11 creature, the length of the specimen I 

 consii ein f 8 mm " I in., and is probably nearly adult. It 

 lees tv? ^ 3 se g m ents, the three thoracic each bearing a pair ot 

 DaV.f , 6th ' 7th, 8th and qth abdominal segments each bear a 

 ot Prolegs and the last the anal prolegs. 



darkh eadand first two thoracic segments ochraceous; mandibles 

 butth '° Wn; 2nd thora cic segment has a few dark stripes on it, 

 y var y m size in different individuals. 



greeni!!? "], 611 below luteous, lateral margin of the same of a light 

 blue f^: yellow - Dorsal surface of abdomen with a longitudinal 

 te ^natL C °, m u menci ng at apex of 3rd thoracic segment and 

 a sm a 1 1 ? a t base oi the 10th. A large median spot on the 12th, 

 of the , rA eml s P ot °n each side of the nth, a spot on each side 

 d °r Sa ] t ' and a s P ot (somewhat smaller) on each side of the 4th 

 se gment of the colour as the facia. Radiating from the 



