470 
SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 
Mimicry among* Papilionidae.* — Dr. E. Haase continues the publi- 
cation of bis treatise on this subject. So far be bas been clearing tbe 
way, and even in tbe present part tbe mimetic adaptations of Hemiptera, 
Hymenoptera, Neuroptera, and Coleoptera are cited at length. Reaching 
tbe Lepidoptera, be first discusses tbe doubtful cases among Palaearctic 
forms. Passing to Indo-Australian forms, be deals with tbe Danaidae, 
Palaeotropinae, Acraeinae, Morpbinae, Pieridae, Papilionidae, which serve 
as models, and with the mimetically adapted Nymphalinae, Satyrinae, &c. 
Aporia Crataegi.'j’ — Dr. K. Eckstein describes this widely distributed 
Pierid, notable for its sudden and abundant appearance in districts 
from which it may have been absent for decennia. He notes its mode 
of flight among tbe flowers, and tbe differences between male and female, 
tbe latter being remarkable for tbe downward and forward bending of 
tbe anterior wings when at rest. Tbe odour of Aporia is strong and 
repulsive to tbe human olfactory sense. On tbe wings pollen is 
abundantly collected, and its accumulation may make tbe insects fly 
heavily. The urine is remarkably red, and sometimes soils tbe wings. 
Eckstein also describes the eggs, caterpillars, and pupae ; the swarms of 
Aporia which appeared in 1889-90 in Eberswald afforded abundant 
material. 
Development of Parasitic Hymenoptera.J — Herr N. Kulagin bas 
studied tbe development of Platygaster , Mesochorus , and Microg aster. 
In tbe two first-named forms there are no embryonic membranes ; the 
embryos cast off tbe upper hypodermic layer. In Microgaster a small 
fold of tbe bypodermis represents a rudiment of the amnion, and tbe 
larva (within the caterpillar of Pieris brassicse ) grows without ecdysis. 
The mouth-parts of tbe larva of Microgaster are formed before tbe 
parasite emerges from its caterpillar host. They consist of a pair of 
mandibles and two pairs of one-jointed conical processes; tbe gut 
consists of a fine oesophagus, a large mid-gut, and a fine hind-gut ; tbe 
tracheae appear as integumentary invaginations. While tbe parasitic 
larval life lasts, tbe terminal segment appears like an expanded bladder 
— tbe protruded proctodaeum ; the Malpighian tubules open beside tbe 
anal aperture, and have no connection with tbe gut. Before pupation 
tbe larval skin of Microgaster is cast, and the terminal vesicular segment 
atrophies. Tbe mouth-parts of the adult Microgaster are formed anew. 
Tbe organs of tbe adult are formed from imaginal discs. In Mesochorus 
splendidulus tbe fully tormed larva bas nine segments ; the first or bead 
segment is larger and broader than tbe rest ; tbe tail segment is pro- 
longed into a process. Tbe head bears two pairs of protrusions, and at 
the boundary of the thoracic segments there are appendages like tbe 
“ clawed feet ” of Platygaster and Microgaster. Tbe larva grows, as in 
Microgaster , without ecdysis, and leaves its host before pupation. Tbe 
summer generation pupates in willow-galls, without any cocoon. In 
winter Mesochorus splendidulus occurs in the larvae of Nematus Vallisnerii 
and there pupates, and the larvae of Platygaster occur in Biorhiza termi- 
nalis. A larva of Platygaster from the gut of Cecidomyidae may live 
and develope in a pepsin solution. When there are several larvae of 
* Bibliotheca Zool. (Leuckart and Chun) viii. (1892) pp. 9-32 (10 pis. not 
published). t Zool. Jahrb., vi. (1892) pp. 230-40. 
X Zool. Anzeig., xv. (1892) pp. 85-7. 
