tenthredinxd^. 
165 
abdominal segments. This character at once distinguishes it as no Lepi- 
dopterous larva has more than five pairs of prolegs. The larva lives 
openly, feeding on leaves; in some the hind end of the abdomen is more 
flexible and tapering, and is twisted round in a characteristic manner to 
give support to the insect. The larva of Athalia proximo, , King., the 
commonest plains species, feeds on mustard and Cruciferse generally ; 
its life-history is described elsewhere (Mem. Agric. Dept., India, 
Entom. I, No. 6). It is undoubtedly an immigrant from the hills 
which has adapted itself to life in tropical India by.a prolonged period 
of rest during the hot months. The pupa is concealed in a cocoon 
between leaves or in the ground. It is recorded that parthenogenesis 
occurs in this family; this does not appear to- be the case with A. 
proximo , where both sexes occur and coupling takes place normally. 
The family is a large one with over 2,400 species described of which 
90 are known from India, being mainly species collected in Assam, Bur¬ 
ma and Simla. The hill fauna is very much larger than that of the 
plains but the large number described is partly due to the fact that this 
group lias been collected there and has not been worked at in the plains. 
Cameron has described the majority of the species within the last 
ten years. Only two species are known from the plains of which Atha- 
lia proximo, King., alone has been reared. (Plate IX.) The most 
recent catalogue is that of Konow in Genera Insectorum. 
HYMENOPTERA PARASITICA. 
From practically every herbivorous insect, as from many others, 
we rear parasites belonging to this group. From a single species we may 
get one or more egg parasites, and one or more larval parasites ; we find 
also that these parasites have their parasites (called hyperparasites as 
they are parasites on parasites). Thus from one species we may rear 
several species of parasitic hymenoptera. It will be seen that this group 
is one of vast extent and number ; it is also one whose study has not at¬ 
tracted sufficient attention; Indian forms have been described (in a great 
variety of somewhat inaccessible publications) by Cameron and others 
from specimens collected in the hills; we have reared abundant species 
which will require much time for identification and we are thus in a posi¬ 
tion of having a great mass of material which has not been worked at 
and we cannot attempt to give any satisfactory account of this great 
