i6 
Psyche 
[March-June 
newly hatched larvae reveal that each Ascaloptynx larva, within 
three hours of eclosion, descends the twig to the level of one or 
another of the rings of repagula and feeds upon the contents of one 
or two abortive eggs. The repagula are punctured by the sickle- 
shaped sucking mouthparts. No attempt is made to pierce fertile, 
unhatched eggs. Perhaps 75 percent of the brood obtain a first 
meal in this fashion; then, all return back up the twig and settle 
head-downwards on and above the empty eggshells, overlapping like 
shingles in such a manner that only the heads and jaws of individual 
larvae are visible (figure 9). Unlike Ululodes larvae, Ascaloptynx 
larvae actively defend themselves against predators during the seven 
to ten days spent on the twig: small invaders like fruit-flies or 
midges will be captured and eaten by individual larvae, but larger 
predators or ants induce a mass response consisting of head-rearing 
and rapid snapping of the jaws (figure 9). This reaction has been 
seen to discourage wasps (15 mm) and caterpillars (25 mm) and 
presumably would be effective against a wide array of enemies; 
however, more intense and persistent disturbances cause the larvae 
to drop from their twigs to the ground. It should be noted here 
that the first-instar larvae of neither Ascaloptynx nor Ululodes can 
individually resist attacks by even small ants like Monomorimn sp. ; 
second- and third-instar larvae of both species seem to be less 
vulnerable. 
VI. Discussion 
It is difficult meaningfully to compare the eggs and repagula of 
Ululodes mexicana and Ascaloptynx furciger with those of other 
types of owlflies, largely because our ignorance of the biology of 
other ascalaphids is so profound. Only the eggs of ascalaphine 
species have been described in any kind of detail. New (1971) 
observed the eggs and repagula of two species in the neuroptyngine 
genera Byas and Episperches , but his descriptions are by no means 
complete. Despite such difficulties, we will attempt some compari- 
sons of our findings with those of other workers, and will emphasize 
wherever possible the phylogenetic implications of these comparisons, 
especially as they bear upon the relationship between the Ascalaphinae 
and Neuroptynginae. 
A. The Egg 
In general form, color, and size the eggs of Ululodes and Asca- 
loptynx resemble those described for other ascalaphids: European 
Ascalaphus macaronius (Scopoli) (Brauer, 1854) and Ascalaphus 
