NATURAL ENEMIES. 
51 
Staphijlinus vulpinus Nordm. as probably predatory on the larvae. 
In the spring of 1909 in one instance a "June-bug" larva (Lachnos- 
terna sp.) was found by the junior writer feeding upon a larva of the 
grape root-worm beetle. When first discovered the grape root-worm 
was already half devoured, and while the operation was being watched 
the remaining portion was completely eaten. 
The eggs of the grape root-worm are subject to the attacks of a 
number of different predaceous insects. Professor Webster observed 
in Ohio a small brown ant (Lasius brunneus Latr. var. alienus) and 
three species of mites {Tyroglyphus [RMzoglyphus] phyUoxerse [Riley], 
Ileteropus [Pediculoides] ventricosus Newport, and the third, resembling 
Hoplophora [Phthiracarus] arctata Riley), feeding upon the eggs. Mr. 
P. R. Jones, of this Bureau, in 1907, at North East, Pa., found a 
coccinellid larva (Hippodamia convergens Guer.), and a malacoderm 
larva (family Telephoridse) feeding upon the eggs of the grape root- 
worm. The determinations of these coleopterous larvae were made 
by Mr. E. A. Schwarz, of this Bureau. The junior author in 1909, at 
North East, Pa., collected a small ant, determined by Mr. Th. Per- 
gande, of this Bureau, as Cremastogaster lineolata Say, var. ?, which 
carried off eggs from a cluster on a grape cane. The larvae of a lace- 
wing fly (Chrysopa sp.) have been observed from time to time extract- 
ing the egg contents by means of their pointed, tubelike mandibles, 
which are peculiarly well fitted for the purpose. 
PARASITIC INSECTS. 
Two minute hymenopterous egg parasites, Fidiobia flav. ipt s Ashm. 
and Laihromeris (Brachysticha) jidix (Ashm.), were reared from eggs 
of the grape root-worm in Ohio by Professor Webster. The late 
Professor Slingerland recorded Fidiobia flavipes in the Lake Erie 
section in 1900, and later, during the present investigation by the 
Bureau of Entomology at North East, Pa., this minute egg parasite 
has been constantly noticed by different members of the staff. 
Laihromeris Jidise (Ashm.) has been only once observed at North East . 
Pa., as recorded on pages 56-57. The two parasites mentioned above 
were described by the late Dr. William II. Ashmead" in 1S94 from 
specimens reared by Prof. F. M. Webster. The original description 
of Fidiobia is given herewith: 
Fidiobia flavipes sp. n. Female, length, 0.0 mm. Black, polished ; legs ami antenme 
yellow; thorax without distinct furrows, smooth, with only slight imlieations of furrows 
posteriorly, but not sharply defined; wings hyaline, veinless; abdomen oblong, sessile, 
the first segment wider than long, the second very large, occupying most of the remain- 
ing surface, the following being usually retracted with it. and thus making the abdomen 
appear truncated at apex. 
"Cinti. Soc. Nat. Hist., vol. 17, L894, pp. 170-172. 
