344 
MASICERA sp. 
Plate XX, figs. 4, 4a. 
Reference :— Determined as an undescribed species of Masicera by M 
quillett, of the U. S. Division of Entomology. 
Classification :—Order, DIPTERA. Family, Tachinide. 
Parasitic upon Hyblea puera. 
Description. 
Imago.—This insect has a great resemblance to a large house 
fly. 
It is depicted in Plate XX, fig. 4. The insect is brownish- 
yellow in colour with a blackish head and very short antennae. 
The wings are fairly large, and the body stout and hairy. Wing 
expanse $th inch. Fig. 4a, shows the black eliptical oval pupal 
case made by the grub of this insect. 
Life-History. 
This insect was bred by the writer from some caterpillars 
of H, puera collected in the Karimpoya Plantation at Nilumbur, 
in Malabar, on the 28th August 1902. These caterpillars were 
kept for three days and pupated on the rst September. The 
fly issued on the 7th or 8th of the month, thus spending a week 
in the pupal stage. | 
I am unable to say how long the grub spends feeding within 
the Hyblza caterpillar, Only one egg appears to be laid in 
each larva. 
Points tn the life-htstortes of these parasites requiring 
Jurther observation, 
r. In each case where does the fly lay itseggs? Is it 
on the outside or within the caterpillars ? 
2. Is more than one egg laid upon each caterpillar by any 
one fly ? 
3- How long is spent in the grub stage feeding within 
the Hyblzea larvee ? | 
