1985] 
Ashe — Meronera venustula 
189 
niscent of the cuticular modifications found on pupae of many sta- 
phylinids (for examples see Paulian 1941, McCabe and Teale 1981) 
than they are the more scattered fine hairs found on most described 
aleocharine pupae (see, for example, Chamberlin and Ferris 1929, 
Ashe 1981). Crowson (1967) suggested that these large spines served 
to hold the body of the pupa in position in the pupal cell. Such 
spines would presumably not be required in aleocharine larvae 
which pupate within a silken cell. However, very little is known 
0.1 mm 
Figs. 2-5. Meronera venustula, larval instar III. 2, head, dorsal aspect; 3, mandi- 
ble, ventral aspect; 4, head, ventral aspect; 5, antenna, dorsal aspect. 
