The Lady-bird Parasite.

Manawatu Herald, 31 January 1893, Page 2

The Lady-bird Parasite.

The lady bird parasite is in fact only a sample of the but too common terrible sufferings inflicted upon some poor insects. The parasite is a small tour-winged fly, supposed to have arrived here with the lady-bird. When one of these flies finds itself in the presence of a beetle it approaches it suddenly, and darts its ovipositor quickly in between the rings of the abdomen. The beetle' gives the well known " start " on receiving that wound, which, all victims of parasitical flies must know is so dreadful to them. In a. short time the egg deposited hatches a maggot, which c >mmenoes at once to feed upon the flesh of its victim, avoiding with devillish instinct the vital parts, thereby prolonging its ': own food supply and the sufferings of its victim. By-and by the poor little ladybird gets weaker and weaker, till its remorseless enemy, being "full-fed," cuts its way out, and forms a cocoon under the beetle which stands weakly swaying to and fro, as if guarding the pupaa ..beneath it ; if it is examined, it will be found that the intestines have been entirely consumed, and the abdomen is left an empty shell — imagine the sufferings of the poor wretch and the pro* longed torture ! !