1983] 
Frolich & Parker — Eumegachile 
203 
Table I. Life history and developmental times (days) for stages. 
Stage 
X 
sd 
range 
n 
Oviposition to Eclosion 
5.1 
1.0 
4-7 
12 
Eclosion to Solid Food 
1.2 
.4 
1-2 
12 
Solid Food to First Defecation 
6.5 
1.9 
5-9 
8 
First Defecation to Cocoon Spinning 
14.9 
2.1 
10-18 
19 
Cocoon Spinning to Complete Cocoon 
3.7 
.5 
3-4 
11 
Oviposition to Complete Cocoon 
26.6 
1.5 
24-28 
7 
instars appeared to feed in a similar manner: with the body of the 
larva extended, the mouthparts were planted on the provision, then 
the body closed into a ‘C’ shape and several mouthfuls of food were 
taken in while contracting, forming a trough on the provision. The 
body then extended and the process was repeated in the same 
groove cut previously or adjacent to it so that the whole provision 
was systematically consumed. Feeding continued into the last sta- 
dium after the onset of defecation and lasted up to about 3 days 
before cocoon spinning. The time from the first ingestion of solid 
food (3rd instar) to first defecation (last instar) averaged 6.5 days 
(Table 1). The 3rd stadium averaged 1.6 days. 
Defecation. Defecation began a few hours after molting into the 
last larval instar. The midgut in the early instars was a blind sac, not 
continuous with the hindgut. At the molt to the last instar the gut 
was connected and defecation was possible. The last instar was also 
distinguishable from other instars by its longer body setae. 
Most of the feeding and growth took place during the last sta- 
dium. The average length of time from first defecation to the onset 
of cocoon spinning was 14.9 days (Table 1). 
Feces were small, squat, yellow cylinders and were deposited 
away from the provision while feeding continued. As the provision 
was nearly consumed the cell began to fill with pellets and the larva 
smeared fresh feces on the walls instead of depositing them behind 
it. Defecation continued for about 3 days after feeding ceased up to 
