NOTES ON METHOCA ICHNEUMONIDES (LATR.). 65
During the winter, when the sand in the tumblers appeared
to be getting dry on the surface, that portion which acted as
support for the plates enclosing the central portion was removed
and replaced by fresh damp sand. This kept that in the middle
damp without the necessity of disturbing it and the enclosed
cocoon.
From the middle to the end of July of the following year
(1929) there emerged three females and five males. The ninth
cocoon was examined later in the year and found to contain a
living larva which, I think, had intended to pass another winter
in this state. Unfortunately it died later on, probably on
account of the opening of the cocoon, so that this point remains
for further elucidation. I have seen no reference to a similar
case in this insect.
The first male and female emerged at about the same time.
They were fed on moist crystals of sugar and then transferred
to a rectangular glass cage containing damp sand.
The male at once noticed the female and seized her around
the neck with his jaws. Standing over her he raised her thorax
off the ground with his front legs and pairing was effected. The
photograph illustrates the incident more graphically than I can
describe it.
I was kept busy from July 13th to 23rd supplying the female
Methoca with Tiger Beetle larva; in the new subterraria. During
this period she deposited 26 eggs.
The number of eggs laid per day was regulated by my oppor-
tunities for transferring her from one host to another after
the deposition of each egg. Usually it was one egg in the
morning and another in the evening.
On July 20th, when I was at home all day, six eggs were
deposited, and similarly on the next day four were obtained, so
that both of us had a busy week-end. In order to facilitate the
task on such days, besides providing the beetle larvae, I assisted
in filling up the top of the shaft by bringing forward small
pieces of earth which were accepted and used.
As I was merely the labourer it was Methoca who announced
knocking-off time, which was always about 8 p.m. summer time.
If the last egg laid had been rather late and the task of filling in
was not completed by this time the lady dug out a small cavity
in one side of the shaft, in which she rested for the night. She