144 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Fus., 190. | 
The percentage of caterpillars victimised by this fly, in any of A 
occurrences of this grass-marauder that have been observed in Queensland, | 
not been estimated. There are, however, grounds for concluding that in som) 
instances it is very large.* ; é| 
The following description will serve to identify this parasite :— 
Linnemyia nigripalpus, sp. nov.—Head with frontal vitta wax-yellow coloured ; face, oA | 
greyish white ; 2nd joint of antenne grey above; ‘‘beard” white. Head narrower at | bi 
vibrissee than at origin of antennzx. "Two stout macrochetze on vertex behind ocelli, 0 Td 
bristles present ; three smaller bristles above vibrissee, which latter are situated above Jeveed 
the oval margin ; sides of face bare. Antenne fuscous, 2nd joint rather less than } third, nel 
joint compressed, extremi'y truncated and widened, upper edge concave; arista thichtt 
gradually, tapering to a point, basal joints well developed. Eyes with pale hairs. Proboscis b™ 
at base, suctorial portion brown. Palpi minute black, with a terminal long black hair. | ree 
grey, with four dorsal longitudinal narrow black bands, not extending to scutellum, with | 
post sutural macrochetz (above base of wing) and three sternopleural ones ; scutellum with the 
pairs of marginal macrochetie, central ones smaller. Abdomen elongate, testaceous-brow? 3 
centre of the back occupied by a broad black band that widens generally posteriorly (so ‘| 
occupy greater part of width of 4th), and, moreover, expands towards the posterior bordel, 
each segment ; \enter with a central black spot on each, and an additional lateral one on ea¢ ee 
of the 4th and 5th segments; 2nd abdominal segment with two and 3rd segment with §? 
macrochetz on posterior border; those on 4th nearly hidden by long bristles. Legs tes foot 
yellow, rounded spot at base, and elongated spot at extremity, and tarsi black ; pulvillus of 
white. Wings with 1st longitudinal vein hare, 4th longitudinal reaching fore-border rathe? 
than half-way from tip of 2nd to apex; small cross vein opposite middle of discal cell. 4 
white. Length, 12mm. f 
B. Prepacrous Insxcrs. 
In addition to the true parasites of the Leucania caterpillars, there ie, 
other insects belonging to Beetle (Coleoptera), Bug (Hemiptera), and ote 
families that prey upon them, and either suck out the fluid contents of the” 
bodies or consume their tissues. | 
Amongst these the most conspicuous, although not the most prevalent; ! 
a large beetle belonging to the family Carabide, and named Calosoma australls | 
Hope. This beetle may attain a length of an inch, and maximum breadth i] 
half-an-inch. It is nearly black beneath, but its upper surface is of a brilliat 
dark-green colour, and its wing-covers are striated with numerous punctt! 1 
lines. These features, as well as its general form, are represented in Fig.” 
of Plate CLXXIV. * 
The Calosoma beetle runs over the surface of the ground in quest of its pe 
but its secluded habits and activity, as well as the fact of its being for t 4 
most part nocturnal, prevent its being observed as frequently as might other 
wise happen. It is, however, a voracious feeder, seizing its victim in the #* 
instance in its formidable jaws, and no doubt renders considerable service. 
C. Birps. ds, 
Allusion has already been made to the service performed by birds Fi | 
limiting the numbers in which these caterpillars occur. When a visitatiod a 
caterpillar hordes is being experienced, native birds, as a rule, are 20. 
numerically sufficiently strong to accomplish very noticeable benefit. It# 
however, during seasons in which these marauders do not assert ¢ a 
destructive capabilities that the useful work of these friends of the farme? ! | 
performed. At these times they largely contribute to maintain the numb® | 
in which these insects occur within safe limits. Amongst them may 4 
specially mentioned, not only such birds as Laughing Jackasses (Dacelo gigas) i] 
the Pied Crow Shrike (Strepera graculina), the Magpie (@ymnorhina tibice™ a 
Butcher Birds (Cractieus spp.), Magpie Larks (Grallina picata), the Mutt | 
Bird (Corcorax melanorhamphus), the Crow (Corvus australis), the Curie) 
* Related. Tachinid parasites of Leucania unipuncta have been met with in other countries i} 
Thus F. M. Van Der Wulp has described, as occurring in British India, a Tachinid parast tiot 
Leucania extranca, Guen. (synonymous with the Leucania under notice), with the designav | 
Masicera castanea (Indian Museum Notes, III., page 12, 1894), from which the present int, 
_ differs by marked structural features—the minute ralht and hairy eyes, amongst others. D- | 
Coquillet has also recorded three related parasites as victimising Leucania unipuncta, Haws 
North America :—Belvosia unifasciata, Dsy.;_ Phorocera leucania, Coq.; and Winthe | 
4-pustulata, Faly, (Tech. Ser. 7, Div, Ent, U.S. Dep. Ag.) j | 
