[reference: Entomol. Rec. J. Var. 103: 23-38]

HOST RECORDS OF SOME WEST PALAEARCTIC TACHINIDAE (DIPTERA)

T.H. FORD ¹ and M.R. SHAW ²

¹  39 Ashbury Drive, Sheffield, S8 8LE

²  National Museums of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh EHI 1JF

The following list is the result of numerous rearings of Tachinidae by ourselves and various correspondents over the past twelve or thirteen years. Many of the records are of previously recorded hosts, but serve to confirm earlier records which in some cases are rather sparse. Others appear not to have been recorded in the past.

The nomenclature and arrangement of the Tachinidae is according to Herting (1984), except for the genus Phytomyptera Rondani which follows Andersen (1988). The lepidopterous hosts are listed according to Kloet and Hincks (1972). Unless otherwise indicated:

(i)     records are British,

(ii)    hosts are Lepidoptera and have been determined by the collector whose initials are given in parentheses at the end of the entry,

(iii)   British tachinids were identified by T.H. Ford, but all non-British specimens were submitted to Dr B. Herting for determination by him and by Dr H-P. Tschorsnig.

Under the heading of the tachinid, each entry shows (where full data are available): the number and sex of the parasitoids, which is as far as is known also the number of hosts killed unless the word 'brood' is used; the stage at which the host was killed; up to three dates, indicating (a) date of collection of the material, (b) emergence of the parasitoid larva from the host, (c) eclosion of the parasitoid imago, [only two dates = (a) and (c), and only one date = (a)]; the locality (given in full only for the more notable records); the initials of the collector, or collector/identifier if not the same person. The following abbreviations are used in the entries; 1. larva, pp. prepupa, p. pupa, a. adult, b. brood, em. emerged. The notes on each species are derived chiefly from Herting (1960).

Tribe EXORISTINI

Exorista fasciata (Fallen). Zygaena filipendulae (L.) 2 males, 1 female, pp., 25.vii.76, 27.vii-3.viii.76, Cornwall (M.R.S.); b. of 3 females, pp., 7-8.viii.89, 15.viii.89, Dorset (J.H.P.); Z. filipendulae or lonicerae (Scheven): 1 male, 1 female, 1. or pp., 19.vii.85, 14-20.viii.85, Skye (J.W.); Arctia caja (L.): b. of 3 males, 4 females, p., 10.vi.85, 28.vi.85, vii.85, Ayrshire (M.A.H.); Dasychira fascelina (L.): b. of 1 male, 1 female, p., 24.vi.60, 31.vii-4.viii.60, Hampshire (E.C.P-C.). Lasiocampidae are the chief hosts of this species, but it has been reported previously from Arctiidae and Zygaenidae. A rearing from Lymantriidae therefore comes as no surprise.

Exorista larvarum (L.). Trichiura crataegi (L.). 1 male, 1., 29.v.49, 15.vii.49, Huntingdonshire (E.C.P-C.); Philudoria potatoria (L.): b. of 3 males, pp. or p., em.ix.34, Argyll (A.M.M.); Parasemia plantaginis (L.): 4 males, 5 females, 1., p. and pp., 16.vi.84, vii.84, vii-viii.84, Ailsa Craig (I.C.C.); Tyria jacobaeae (L.): 2 males, 1 female, pp. and p., 12.viii.77, 25.viii.77, 24.ix.77, Guernsey (T.H.F.). A polyphagous parasitoid of many macrolepidoptera.

Exorista segregata (Rondani). Zygaena carniolica (Scopoli): 1 male, pp. or p., xi.73, LEBANON [Jabal Kesrouan] (T.B.L.). Recorded especially from Lymantriidae, Lasiocampidae and Arctiidae: we are not aware of previous records from Zygaenidae.

Exorista grandis (Zetterstedt). Saturnia pavonia (L.): b. of 3 males, pp. or p., 22.viii.74, 8.ii.75, Aviemore, Inverness-shire (W.A.E.); b. of 2 males, 1 female, pp., em. 7.vi.70, Roxburghshire (A.B.). S. pavonia is the principal host, but records from Papilio machaon L., Inachis io (L.), Smerinthus ocellata (L.) and Zygaena purpuralis (Brunnich) also exist.

Exorista sorbillans (Wiedemann). Minucia lunaris (Denis & Schiffermüller): 1 female, 1., on Quercus suber, 9.vi.89, 19.vii.89, FRANCE [Cavalaire, Var] (T.H.F.). Widespread in the subtropics of the Old World and has been recorded from many different Lepidopteran hosts. It is much more polyphagous than E. grandis, but the two species are very closely related and difficult to distinguish (B. Herting, personal communication).

Exorista nova (Rondani). Zygaena carniolica (Scopuli): 2 females, pp. or p., xi.73, LEBANON [Jabal Kesrouan] (T.B.L.). A specific parasitoid of Zygaenidae.

Parasetigena silvestris (Robineau-Desvoidy). Lymantria dispar (L.): 14 males, 15 females and 2 bs of 1 male, 1 female, 1., 6.v.87, vi.87, FRANCE [Var] (T.H.F.). A common and important parasitoid of L. dispar and L. monacha (L.).

Bessa parallela (Meigen). Yponomeuta padella (L.): l male, 1., 29.vi.60, 25.vii.60, Kent (E.C.P-C.). Primarily parasitic on larvae of microlepidoptera, especially Yponomeuta species, but it has also been recorded from some Geometridae.

Tribe BLONDELIINI

Medina luctuosa (Meigen). Haltica lythri (Aubé) (Col.: Chrysomelidae): 1 male, a., 4.viii.79, Burton-on-the-Wolds, Leicestershire (W.M.P.). Apparently confined to Halticinae (Col.).

Medina separata (Meigen). Adelia decempunctata (L.) (Col.: Coccinellidae):     1, a., em. 3.vii.87, Holt Heath NNR, Dorset (M.M.B.). This is the second record from A.decempunctata that we have, and it has also been bred in numbers from Phyllodecta vitellinae (L.) (Cot. Chrysomelidae) from Yorkshire (Ford, 1989).

Compsilura concinnata (Meigen). Zygaena carniolica (Scopoli): 3 males, 2 females, pp. or p., ix.73, LEBANON [Jabat Kesrouan] (T.B.L.); Heterogynis penella (Hübner): 1 male, pp. or p., 26.vii.84, viii.84, 25.viii.84, FRANCE [Atpes de Haute Provence] (M.R.S.); Gonepteryx rhamni (L.): 1 male, p., vi.80, 29.vi.80, 1980, Berkshire (M.R.B.); Pieris brassicae (L.): 1 male, p., 2.iv.76, iv.76, 17.iv.76, Yorkshire (W.A.E.); P. rapae (L.): 1 female, p., 26.ix.75, 8.vi.76, Lancashire (M.R.S.); Apatura ilia (Denis & Schiffermütter) semi-captive culture: 1 male, p., 1983, Gloucestershire (J.McF.); Aglais urticae (L.): 2 males 1 female, p., t3.viii.83, 9.ix.83, Middlesex (B.T.P.); Nymphalis antiopa (L.): 2 bs of 3 (3 males, 3 females overall), 1., 2.viii.87, 8.viii.87, 25.viii.87, FRANCE [Alpes-Maritimes] (M.R.S.); Danaus chrysippus (L.): 1 male, p., em. i.73, LEBANON [Beirut] (T.B.L.); Malacosoma neustria (L.): 3 males (?b.), 1., 1985, Sussex (A.R.C.); Smerinthus ocellata (L.): b. of 2 females, 1., 17.viii.86, 29.viii-t.ix.86, 1987, Hampshire (B.T.P.); Laothoe populi (L.): 1 male, 1., viii.79, 1979, Berkshire (B.T.P.); Phalera bucephala (L.): 19 bs of 1-2 but only 5 males, 2 females, em., 1., 9.viii.83, viii.83, ix.83, Hampshire (B.T.P.); 1 female, 1., 1985, Sussex (A.R.C.); Euproctissimilis (Fuessty): 1 male, 1., 16.vi.77, 7.vii.77, Nottinghamshire (F.H.); 1 male, I., 16.vii.76, ll.vii.76, Somerset (M.N.); 1 female, 1., 22.vi.57, 16.vii.57, Suffolk (E.C.P-C.); Leucoma salicis (L.): b. of 1 male, 1 female, 1., 4.viii.73, 13.viii.73, 27.viii.73, Lancashire (M.R.S.); Lymantria dispar (L.): 2 males, 1., 4.vi.85, 1985, FRANCE [Loire-Atlantique] (N.H.); Cucullia asteris (Denis & Schiffermüller): 1 male, 1., 31.vii.49, 28.viii.49, Surrey (E.C.P-C.); Acronicta aceris (L.): 1 female, pp., 28.vii.78, viii.78, 26.viii.78, Middlesex (I.K.B./M.R.S.); A. tridens (Denis & Schiffermütler): 1 female, p., 13.ix.77, 5.vi.78, Lancashire (M.R.S.); A. psi (L.): b. of 4 males, 1., Lancashire (S.C.); b. of 1 male, 1 female, p., 8.ix.76, 8.vi.77, and 1 male, 1 female, p., 8.vii.76, Lancashire (W.A.W.); 3 males, 1 female, p., viii-ix.76, v-vi.77, Lancashire (M.R.S.); A. rumicis (L.): 1 male, p., 22.viii.82, iv.83, Hampshire (B.T.P.); plusiine noctuid sp.: 1 female, ?l., 16.viii.85, 16.ix.85, Somerset (E.C.P-C.). Perhaps the most polyphagous of the British Tachinidae, attacking many medium to large sized lepidopterous larvae and some sawflies, especially in the upper field layer and on bushes. Usually solitary but gregarious development in small broods regularly occurs in its larger hosts. Curiously, butterflies nearly always pupate before they are killed, whilst moths are usually killed as larvae. A regular exception to this pattern is seen when the host is an Acronicta species, whose overwintering pupae often carry C. concinnata through hibernation. Factors other than the means of overwintering seem to be involved, however, one of which may be the difficulty of escape from the dense cocoons or subterranean pupation sites of certain moths.

Tribe WINTHEMIINI

Smidtia conspersa (Meigen). Epirrita sp.: 1 male, 1., on Quercus, 30.v.65, 7.v.66, Palnackie, Kirkcudbrightshire (E.C.P-C.). A species not commonly reared, but 1 female previously recorded from F. dilutata (Denis & Schiffermüller) from Buckinghamshire (Ford, 1976).

Winthemia quadripustulata (Fabricius). Cucullia verbasci (L.): b. of 5 males, 2 females, p., 8-16.viii.85, Warwickshire (K.C.G.). Cucullia species are the chief hosts, with a few records from other large lepidopterous larvae.

Nemorilla floralis (Fallen). Agonopterix sp. on Peucedanum: 1 male, 1., 30.vii.88, 12.viii.88, 23.viii.88, Norfolk (M.R.S.); Anthophila fabriciana (L.): 2 males, 1., 22.v.82, 2.vi.82, 7.vii.82, Oxfordshire (M.R.S.);? Clepsis spectrana (Treitschke): 1 female, p., 9.v.82, v.82, 21.vi.82, London (R.A.S.); Pleuroptya ruralis (Scopoli): b. of 3 males, 1 female, p., vi.89, vii.89, Northamptonshire (C.D./J.H.P.); ? Orthosia gothica (L.): b. of 2 females, 1., 12.vii.88, 23.vii.88, Oxfordshire (M.C.S./M.R.S.). This and the following species are probably polyphagous on many microlepidoptera and occasionally on some Noctuidae.

Nemorilla maculosa (Meigen). Pterophorid sp.: 1 male, p., 1.viii.87,, 14.viii.87, FRANCE [Alpes Maritimes] (M.R.S.). This species and floralis probably have the same range of hosts, but vary in their habitat requirements. In the warmer and drier regions of southern and eastern Europe maculosa occurs more commonly, but it has not been recorded from Britain.

Tribe ERYCIINI

Aplomyia confinis (Fallen). Lycaenid sp. on low legumes: 2 females, 1., 24.vii.74, by 9.viii.74, 21 .viii.74, FRANCE [Valderoure, Alpes Maritimes] (M.R.S). A specific parasitoid of Lycaenidae.

Nilea hortulana (Meigen). Acronicta tridens (Denis & Schiffermüller): 4 males, 2 females and 2 not em. in 4 bs of 1-3, 1. and pp., 13-16.ix.77, 20-30.vi.78, Lancashire (M.R.S.); Acronicta psi (L.): 1 male, 2 females, 1., 10.ix.77, 14.ix.77, 1 .vii.78, Yorkshire (W.A.E.); 4 males, 4 females in 4 bs of 1-3, 1. and pp., 20.viii-16.ix.77, ix.77, 22.vi-I0.vii.78, Lancashire (M.R.S.); b. of 1 male, 1 female, 1., viii.81, 1982, and b. of 5 (2 males, 2 females em.), ix.81, 1982, Cornwall (J.L.G.); b. of 2 males, 2 females, 1., 29.viii.84, 15.ix.84, 7-8.viii.85, Edinburgh (M.R.S.); b. of 4 (1 male, 2 females em.), 1., 21.vii.79, 1.viii.79, 19-21.vi.80, Berkshire (M.R.S.); b. of 2 males, 1 female, 1., 28.viii.76, ix.76, vii.77, Kirkcudbrightshire (T.H.F.). All the species of Nilea are chiefly parasitic on Acronicta species.

Epicampocera succincta (Meigen). Pieris rapae (L.): l male, 2 female, p., Autumn 83, Spring 84, 28.v-6.vi.84, Crieff, Perthshire (J.R.M.); Hadena bicruris (Hufnagel): 1 male, 1., ix.88, v.89, Derbyshire (F.H.). Previously bred from P. rapae (Richards, 1940), ,attacking the young larvae.

Cavalieria genibarbis Villeneuve. Biston strataria (Hufnagel): 1 female, 1., on Quercus, 10.vi.86, vii.86, iv.87, FRANCE [Cavalaire, Var] (T.H.F.). This is apparently the first host record for genibarbis (B. Herting, personal communication).

Phryxe erythrostoma (Hartig). Hyloicus pinastri (L.): b. of 4 males, 4 females, p., 30.vii.86, 26.vi-6.vii.87, FRANCE [Villars-Colmars, Alpes de Haute Provence] (M.R.S.). P. erythrostoma is a specific parasitoid of H. pinastri, as many as eighteen examples being recorded from one host pupa.

Phryxe heraclei (Meigen). Philudoria potatoria (L.): b. of 3 males, 1., 30.iv.86, 6.v.86, Berkshire (B.T.P.). This species is a specific parasitoid of potaforia and has been reared on many occasions. Broods of up to 13 have been recorded (Ford, 1976).

Phryxe hirta (Bigot). Heterogynis penella (Hubner): 1 male, 1., 23.v.74, 24.v.74, 16.vi.74, FRANCE [Digne, Alpes de Haute Provence] (M.R.S.); Heterogynis sp.: 1 male, pp., vi.88, 1988, SPAIN [Biel, Zaragosa] (N.H.). The type of P. hirta was bred from H. penella (see Herting, 1960 for notes on previous misidentifications).

Phryxe magnicornis (Zetterstedt). Zygaena filipendulae (L.): 1 male, 2 female, pp., 25.vi.78, 13.vii.78, 29.vii.78, Wiltshire (M.R.B.); 1 male and b. of 2 males, pp., 27.vi.76, 28.vi.76, 6-7.vii.76, Gloucestershire (R.R.A.); Zygaena trifolii (Esper): 1 male, 2 females, p., 20.vi.48, 2-10.vii.48, Somerset (E.C.P-C.); Zygaena sp.: 4 males, 1 female, pp. or p., 18.vi.62, 9-18.vii.62, Gloucestershire (E.C.P-C.); b. of 1 male, 1 female, pp. or p., 1.vi.74, 20.vi.74, Caernarvon (E.C.P-C.); Opisthograptis luteolata (L.): 1 male and b. of 1 male, 1 female, p., 2.viii.76, 30.viii.76, 3-19.ix.76, Cornwall (M.R.S.); Frannis defoliaria (Clerck): 1 female, 1., 15.v.89, 19.v.89, 4.vi.89, FRANCE [Fontainbleau Forest] (T.H.F.). Rather specialised, usually attacking larvae of Zygaenidae and Geometridae.

Phryxe nemea (Meigen). Zygaena graslini Lederer: 1 female, 1., 9.iv.74, LEBANON [Beirut] (T.B.L.); Gonepteryx rhamni (L.): 1 female, p., 5.vii.82, 18.vii.82, Hampshire (B.T.P.); Aporia crataegi (L.): 1 female, p., 1962, FRANCE [Herault] (M.R.S.); Anthocharis cardamines (L.): b. of 3 males, p., 23.vi.88, 29.vi.88, 17.vii.88, and 1 female, p., 1986, iv.87, v.87, Hampshire (B.T.P.); Quercusia quercus (L.): 1 male, 2 females, from 2 1., vi.85, 16.vi.85, vii.85, Suffolk (M.A.H.); Strymonidia pruni (L.): 1 female, p., larva in open culture, vi.86, 23.vi.86, l.vii.86, Hampshire (C.L.W.); 3 males, 1 female, v.83, v.83, 15-27.vi.83, WEST GERMANY [Bavaria] (H.G.S.); Vanessa atalanta (L.); b. of 1 male, 1 female, 1., 2.viii.76, 10.viii.76, 23.viii.76, Cornwall (M.R.S.); Epirrita dilutata (Denis & Schiffermüller): 1 male, 2 females, pp., 1.vi.78, 25.vi.78, 1978, London (R.A.S.); Operophtera brumata (L.): 1 female, pp., 1.vi.78, 10.vi.78, 27.vi.78, Berkshire (M.R.S.); Abraxas grossulariata (L.): 11 bs of 1-3 (7 males, 9 females em.), 1. and pp., 6.v.79, 5-22.vi.79, 25.vi-10.vii.79, Buckinghamshire (M.R.S.); 1 male, 1., 2.vi.80, 29.vi.80, vii.80, Oxfordshire (M.R.B.); 2 males, 1., 2-8.vi.81, Durham (T.C.D.); 1 male, 1 female, 1., 24.v.82, 12.vii.82, Berkshire (B.T.P.); 1 male, 1., 20.v.74, FRANCE [Seine Maritime] (G.S.); Apocheima pilosaria (Denis & Schiffermüller): 1 female, 1., vi.80, 15.vi.80, 1980, Middlesex (M.R.B.); Frannis defoliaria (Cterck): 1 male, pp., 12.vi.75, 24.vi.75, 8.vii.75, Cheshire (M.R.S.); 1 male, 1 female, 1., 11.v.75, 23.v.75, 6.vii.75, Kirkcudbrightshire (T.H.F.); 1 female, 1., 2.vi.80, 13.vi.80, 1980, Berkshire (M.R.B.); Agriopis aurantiaria (Hübner): 1 female, 1., 15.v.89, 26.v.89, 31 .vi.89, FRANCE [Fontainbleau Forest] (T.H.F.); ? Alcis repandata (L.): b. of 2 females, 1., 18.v.80, 1980, Berkshire (M.R.B.); indet. geometrid: 1 female, 1., 31.v.71, 3.vii.71, County Clare (E.C.P-C.); Dasychira pudibunda (L.): 1 female, 1., ix.31, Hampshire (T.E.D.P.); Mamestra brassicae (L.): b. of 4 males, 2 females, p., 18.ix.75, 24.iii.76, 6-18.iv.86, Yorkshire (T.H.F.); Lacanobia oleracea (L.): b. of 1 male, 2 females, p., 1987, v.1988, Dorset (M.M.B.) ? L. oleracea: 1 female, 1., viii.83, 3.x.83, Pembrokeshire (A.N.B.S.); ? Amphipyra sp.: 1 male, l., vi.81, 1981, Berkshire (N.H.); ? Fuplexia lucipara (L.): b.of 2 males, 1 female, 1., 15.viii.76, l-4.x.76, Lancashire (M.R.S.); Plusia gamma (L.): b. of 2 females, p., 30.ix.75, 18.i.76, Cumbria (M.R.S.); 1 male, 1., 26.viii.87, x.87, Gwynnedd (T.H.F.). A polyphagous species, commonly bred in numbers from A. grossulariata in Britain.

Phryxe prima (Brauer & Bergenstamm). Zygaena graslini Lederer: 1 female, 1., 9.iv.74, LEBANON [Hazimiiye, Beirut] (T.B.L.). A specific parasitoid of Zygaenidae.

Phryxe vulgaris (Fallen). Thymelicus sylvestris (Poda): 2 male, 1 female, 1., 25.vi.78, 11 .vii.78, 28.vii.78, Wiltshire (M.R.B.); Thymelincus lineola (Ochsenheimer): 2 females, 1., 20.vi.87, 4.vii.87, vii.87, Middlesex (P.W.C.); Pieris rapae (L.): 1 male, 4 females, p., x.78, 20.x.78, Berkshire (P.R.W.); 1 male, 3 females, p., 29.viii.78, Derbyshire (F.H.); 1 female, p., 9.ix.73, 4.v.74, 28.vc.74, Cheshire (M.R.S.); Anthocharis cardamines (L.): 1 male, p., 30.v.75, 2.v.76, 27.v.76, Gloucestershire (R.R.A.); 1 male, p., vi.83, iv.84, Berkshire (B.T.P.); 1 female, p., 2.vii.86, vii.86, 30.vii.86, Hampshire (B.T.P.); 1 female, p., vi.89, 16.vii.89, Clwyd (D.S.); 1 female, p., 31.v.74, 3.iii.75, 21.iii.75, FRANCE [Var] (M.R.S.); Aglais urticae (L.): b. of 1 male, 2 females, p., 27.v.82, 18.vi.82, Oxfordshire (B.T.P.); 1 female, p., 3.viii.87, 20.viii.87, FRANCE [Alpes Maritimes] (M.R.S.); Hadena bicruris (Hufnagel): 1 male, 1 female, 1., ix.88, v.89, Derbyshire (F.H.); Fremobia ochroleuca (Denis & Schiffermüller): 1 female, pp., 25.vi.78, 15.vii.78, 4.viii.78, Wiltshire (M.R.B./M.R.S.). A parasitoid of larger butterfly, noctuid and geometrid larvae in the field layer, not usually attacking small, hairy or arboreal species. Several generations occur annually from May to October in gardens, waste places and other open habitats.

? Phryxe vulgaris. Evergestis extimalis (Scopoli): 1 female, 1., 3.ix.74, 19.vi.75, Essex (E.C.P-C.); Cucullia asteris Denis & Schiffermüller): 1 female, 1., 31.vi.49, ix.49, Surrey (E.C.P-C.). The identity of these specimens follows E.C.P-C. but their condition is now too poor for confirmation.

Bactromyia aurulenta (Meigen). Philereme transversata (Hufnaget) or Phigalia pilosaria (Denis & Schiffermüller): 2 males, 1., 28.v.77, 3.vi.77, 12.vi.77, Hampshire (A.D.); Dasychira pudibunda (L.); 1 male, 3 females, 1., ix.3 1, Hampshire (T.E.D.P.). A fairly polyphagous species, apparently with a preference for larvae of the Drepanidae.

Pseudoperichaeta nigrolineata (Walker). Archips xylosteana (L.) 1 male, p., 23.v.89, 19.vi.89, FRANCE [Var] (T.H.F.); Archips rosana (L.): 1 male, p., 24.vi.76, 30.vi.76, 8.vii.76, Lancashire (M.R.S.); Cnephasia stephensiana (Doubleday): 4 males, 2 females, em. 29.vi-9.vii.42, locality uncertain (L.T.F.); Furrhypara hortulata (L.): 1 male, 15.ix.81, 20.v.82, London (R.A.S.); 1 female, pp., ix.76, 23.v.77, Yorkshire (T.H.F.); Furrhypara terrealis (Treitschke): 1 male, 1., 18.vii.89, 3.viii.89, 21 .viii.89, Cumbria (M.R.S.); indet. tortricid on Quercus: 1 male, p., 15.vi.78, 11 .vii.78, Berkshire (M.R.S.); Laspeyresia pomonella (L.): 8.vii.755, vi.76, Kent (H.B.). A parasitoid of numerous microlepidoptera.

Lydella stabulans (Meigen). Nonagria typhae (Thunberg): 1 male, p., em. 4.viii.85, Mattock, Derbyshire (F.H.). Chiefly parasitic on the wainscot moths.

Cadurciella tritaeniata (Rondani). Callophrys rubi (L.): 2 males, 11 females, p., 8.vii.83, v.84, vi.84, Suffolk (M.R.S.); 2 males, 1 female, 22-24.vii.78, 5-10.v.79, 4-7.vi.79, Buckinghamshire (M.R.S.); 1 male, p., 28.vi.78, 9.v.79, Oxfordshire (M.R.S.); 1 female, p., 25.vi.78, 14.v.79, 14.vi.79, Wiltshire (M.R.S.). A specific parasitoid of C. rubi. Parasitised host larvae were both swept from open downland and beaten from Sarothamus in heathland scrub. The larva overwinters in the host pupa, but erupts to pupate externally in spring.

Drino inconspicua (Meigen). Minucia lunaris (Denis & Schiffermüller): 1 male, 1 female and b. of 2 (1 male em.), 1., on Quercus suber, 9.vi.89, 16.vii.89, FRANCE [Cavalaire, Var] (T.H.F.). Primarily a parasitoid of Diprion species (Hymenoptera, Diprionidae), also attacking larvae of macrolepidoptera, especially those feeding on Pinus. Apparently not previously recorded from lunaris. The puparia of Drino species are remarkable in being covered in dense, short pitosity.

Drino lota (Meigen). Deilephila elpenor (L.): 1 male, possibly part of a larger brood, 1., 1976, Hampshire (A.D.). Sphingidae are the chief hosts, with brood sizes of up to 27 known. Other large lepidopterous larvae have also been recorded as hosts.

Carcelia gnava (Meigen). Malacosoma neustria (L.). 1 male, 1., vi.64, Devon (A.D.); Dasychira pudibunda (L.): 1 female, 1931, Hampshire (T.E.D.P.). Double-brooded, the May/June generation attacking neustria and the July/August emergence attacking pudibunda. Has also been recorded from Phalera bucephala (L.). Leucoma salicis (L.) and Arctia caja (L.).

Carcelia lucorum (Meigen). Arctia caja (L.): b. of 5 females, pp., Tyne and Wear (D.A.S.); b. of 1 male, 4 females, pp., Devon (J.H.P.); b. of 5 males, 1 female, pp., Yorkshire (P.W.); 1 male, 1. or pp., em. 4.vii.87 (K.C.G.); 7 males, 4 females in 2 bs, pp., 3.vi.89, vi.89, vi-vii.89, Cambridgeshire (D.Y.); Phragmatobia fuliginosa (L.): b. of 1 male, 3 females, pp., iv.84, v.84, Buckinghamshire (B.T.P.); b. of 2 males, 1 female, 1. or pp., Derbyshire (B.S.); ? P. fuliginosa: b. of 3 males, 2 females, pp., 17.vii.88, as cocooned prepupa, 18.vii.88, 10.viii.88, Cumbria (M.R.S.). Parasitic on the larger Arctiidae, passing the winter in the host larva and emerging in May or June to pupate, usually in the host cocoon. There appears also to be at least a partial midsummer generation.

Senometopia pollinosa (Mesnil). Bupalus piniaria (L.): 2 males, 1 female, p., 27.ix.78, v-vi.79, 9.vi.-6.vii.79, Burghfield Common, Berkshire (M.R.S.). A British record from this host is given by Wainwright (1940), and there are continental records by several authors. A specialist parasitoid of piniaria but also recorded from Semiothisa liturata (Clerck).

Senometopia sussurans (Rondani). Indet. geometrid on low plants: 1 male, p., vii.87, viii.87, ITALY [Iesa, 40 km. south of Siena, Tuscany] (M.R.S.). There appears to be no host record for this species.

Erycia festinans (Meigen). Melitaea cinxia (L.): 1 female, p., iv.77, v.77, FRANCE [Dordogne] (R.R.A.). A specific parasitoid of genera related to Melitaea and Euphydryas.

Erycia furibunda (Zetterstedt). Euphydryas aurinia (Rottemburg): 1 female, p., ix.75, vi.76, 24.vi.76, Pengwern Common, Gower, Glamorgan (R.R.A.). This species is very similar to festinans. It has been reared from E. aurinia in Britain previously (Wainwright, 1928, as E. fatua).

Tribe GONIINI

Eumea linearicornis (Zetterstedt). Indet. noctuid, probably Agrochola litura (L.) or Orthosia gracilis (Denis & Schiffermülter), in spun shoots of Michaelmas Daisy (Aster sp.): 2 females, 24.vi.78, 15-16.viii.78, Abney Park Cemetery, London (R.A.S.). Recorded from several micro­lepidoptera larvae; also from Cosmia pyralina (L.) (Hammond & Smith, 1955).

Pales pavida (Meigen). Zygaena lonicerae (Scheven): 2 males, 1., 14.vi.83, 9.vii.83, and b. of 3 (1 male, 1 female em.), 25.v.88, 15.vi.88, 5.vii.88, also b. of 3 (1 female em.), 1., 25.vi.88, 5.vii.88, Berkshire (B.T.P.); 7 males, 9 females, pp., vi.88, 20-30.vi.88, Yorkshire (T.H.F.); 3 males, 1., 7.vi.88, 4.vii.88, Warwickshire (K.C.G.); Vanessa atalanta (L.): 1 female, p., 15.vii.70, FRANCE [Corsica] (M.R.S.); Aglais ichnusa (Hübner): 1 female, p., 15.vii.70, FRANCE [Corsica] (M.R.S.): Malacosoma neustria (L.): 1 male, 1 female, 1., 25.vi.61, 6.vii.61, County Clare (E.C.P-C.); Polyploca ridens (Fabricius): 1 male, 1., 24.vi.89, 9.vii.89, Northamptonshire (B.S.); Agriopis leucophaearia (Denis & Schiffermüller): 1 female, pp., 13.vi.78, 28.vii.78, London (R.A.S.); A. leucophaearia or Theria rupricapraria (Denis & SchiffermUller): 1 female, 1., 2.vi.80, 13.vi.80, 1980, Berkshire (M.R.B.); Plialera bucephala (L.): 1 female, pp., viii.76, 23.viii.76, Derbyshire (F.H.); Ptilodon capucina (L.): 1 male, 1., 18.vi.80, 1980, Berkshire (B.T.P.); b. of 1 male, 1 female, 1., 24.vii.78, Buckinghamshire (M.R.S.); Leucoma salicis (L.): 5 (1 male, 4 unsexed), 1., 29.vi.73, 3-14.vii.73, 20-30.vii.73, and 1 male, p., 29.vi.73, 6.vii.73, 24.vii.73, also 1 male, 1., 23.vii.73, 26.vii.73, 11.viii.73, Lancashire (M.R.S.); Noctua pronuba (L.): b. of 6 (2 males, 1 female em.) 1., 22.ix.75, xii.75, 25-29.ii.76, Yorkshire (P.W.); Orthosia cruda (Denis & Schiffermüller): 5 males, 4 females, 1., vi.87, 10-21 .vii.87, FRANCE [Var] (T.H.F.); Orthosia stabilis (Denis & Schiffermüller): 2 males, 2 females, 1., viii.82, 10-14.vii.88, Yorkshire (T.H.F.); 1 male, 1., 10.vii.82, vii.82, viii.82, Dumfriesshire (M.R.S.); 2 males, 1., vi.87, 7-12.vii.87, and 1 male, 1 female, 1., 9.vi.89, 10.vii.89, FRANCE [Var] (T.H.F.); Orthosia sp.: 2 males, 1 female, 1., 12.vii.80, 1980, Berkshire (B.T.P.); Mythimna straminea (Treitschke): 1 male, 1 female, 1., 3.vi.89, 30.vi.89, Cambridgeshire (B.S.); Mythimna ? pallens (L.): b. of 2 females, 1., 19.vi.75, 16.vi.75, Hampshire (M.R.S.); Mythimna sp.: 1 female, 1., 4.v.79, 25.vi.79, 3.vii.79, Berkshire (M.R.S.); 1 female, 1., 23.v.84, 24.v.84, 14.vi.84, Berkshire (B.T.P.); Acronicta alni (L.): 1 female, p., 13.vii.76, 1.viii.76, 22.viii.76, Essex (G.B./M.R.S.); Acronicta rumicis (L.): 1 female, 1., 17.viii.77, 10.ix.77, Britain (origin otherwise obscure); Agrochola litura (L.): 1 male, 1., 10.vii.78, 14.viii.78, London (R.A.S.); Catocala nymphagoga (Esper); 1 male, 1 female, 1., 16.vi.88, 23.vi.88, FRANCE [Var] (T.H.F.). A common polyphagous species, recorded from numerous macrolepidopterous larvae.

Cyzenis albicans (Fallen). Ypsolopha vitella (L.): 1 male, p., on Ulmus glabra, 31.v.88,15.iv.89, Edinburgh, Midlothian (M.R.S.); Operophtera brumata (L.): 1 male, 1 female, p., 6.vii.77, 22.iv.78, Nottinghamshire (F.H.); 6 males, 2 females, p., 7.vi.73, 10-26.iv.74, Derbyshire (M.R.S.); 1 male, 1 female, p., 31.v.73, 7-9.iv.74, Oxfordshire (M.R.S.); 1 female, p., 31.v.73, 17.iv.74, Buckinghamshire (M.R.S.); Operophtera fagata (Scharfenberg): 3 males, p., 25.v.66, 19.iii.-2.iv.67, Caernarvon (E.C.P-C.). A common parasitoid of brumata, the larva pupating inside the host pupa.

Cadurcia casta Rondani. Choreutis nemorana (Hubner); 3 (1 female, 1 unsexed em.), p., 9.viii.82, 8.ix.82, FRANCE [Serignan Plage, Hêrault] (M.R.S.); Nycteola revayana (Scopoli): 1 female, p., 9.vi.89, 16.vii.89, FRANCE [Cavalaire, Var] (T.H.F.). This small distinctive species appears hitherto to have been reared only from C. nemorana, which feeds on Ficus carica. This plant was growing within a few metres of the Quercus suber from which the above revayana was collected. Pupation takes place inside the host pupa.

Elodia mono (Fatten). Gelechia sororculella (Hübner): 2 females, v.80, 1980, Middteyard Coppice, Worcestershire (A.N.B.S.). Has been bred from numerous microlepidoptera, but we cannot find any records for sororculella. Pupation takes place inside the host pupa.

Sturmia bella (Meigen). Vanessa atalanta (L.): 1 male, 3 females, p., 15.vii.70, FRANCE [Corsica] (M.R.S.); Aglais urticae (L.): 2 males, p., 3.viii.87, 23.viii.87, FRANCE [Alpes Maritimes] (M.R.S.); Aglais iclinusa (Hubner): 1 male, 2 females, p., 15.vii.70, 18.vii.70, 29.vii.70, FRANCE [Corsica] (M.R.S.); Inachis io (L.): 2 males, p., FRANCE (J.H.J.). A common parasitoid of Vanessinae, the larva usually emerging from the host pupa.

Blephanipa pratensis (Meigen). Lymantria dispar (L.): 1 male, p., 10.vi.86, 6.vii.86, iv.87, FRANCE [Var] (T.H.F.); Catocala nymphagoga (Esper): 1 male, pp., v.87, iv.88, and 1 female, p., 9.vi.88, 10.iii.89, FRANCE [Cavataire, Var] (T.H.F.). An important parasitoid of dispar on the continent, which has been introduced into North America for the biological control of dispar, but apparently otherwise only recorded from Dendrolimus pini (L.).

Masicera pavoniae (Robineau-Desvoidy). Saturnia pyri (Denis & Schiffermüller): b. of 18 (1 male, 8 females seen), p., 30.vii.86, iv.87, 14.v.87, FRANCE [Gard] (G.N.B.). Usually reared from Saturnia species but has also been recorded from Acherontia atropos (L.) and Notodonta ziczac (L.)

Masicena sphingivora (Robineau-Desvoidy). Nymphalis polychloros (L.): b. of 1 male, 1 female, p., on Prunus, 31.v.74, 20.vi.74, 8-10.vii.74, FRANCE [St Maximin, Var] (M.R.S.); 3 males, 2 females, p., on Celtis australis, 20.v.74, 4.vi.74, 20.vi.74, FRANCE [Les Arcs, Var] (M.R.S.). Members of the genus Deilephila are the most favoured hosts, but it has also been recorded from other Lepidoptera including one butterfly, Aporia crataegi (L.).

Frontina laeta (Meigen). Smerinthus ocellata (L.): b. of 10 (2 males, 4 females dissected from puparia), 30.viii.87, parasitoid larvae emerged 22.ix.87, Bramshill, Hampshire (B.T.P.). In Britain this uncommon species has been recorded only from S. ocellata (Hammond & Smith, 1953), but on the continent also from Laothoe populi (L.) and Sphinx ligustri (L.).

Tribe TACHININI

Tachina grossa (L.). Lasiocampa quercus (L.): 1 male, p., 1982, Surrey (B.T.P.). The largest European tachinid, regularly attacking larvae of the Lasiocampidae, and emerging as an adult from the host pupa.

Tribe NEMORAEINI

Nemoraea pellucida (Meigen). Orthosia stabilis (Denis & Schiffermüller): 1 female, p., vi.89, 18.vii.89, FRANCE [Cavalaire, Var] (T.H.F.). Previously recorded from stabilis by Wainwright (1928), but known also from other medium sized macrotepidoptera.

Tribe LINNAEMYIINI

Linnaemyia vulpina (Fallen). Lycophotia porphyrea (Denis & Schiffer­muller): 1 male, 3 females, pp., 31.iii.79, vi.79, 29.vi-15.vii.79, Berkshire (M.R.S.). Commonly bred from porphyrea, occasionally from other noctuid species.

Linnaemyia rossica Zimin. Xestia agathina (Duponchet): 1 male, 1., 3.iv.85, 31.v.85, Glen Affric, Inverness-shire, (E.C.P-C.). This is the first British host record for rossica. Audcent (1942) lists only continental records for Linnaemyia haemorrhoidalis (Fallen), which has not been shown to occur in Britain.

Lypha dubia (Fallen). Operophtera brumata (L.): 2 males, pp., 31 .v.73, 7-11.iv.74, Buckinghamshire (M.R.S.); 1 male, pp., 31.v.73, 14.iv.74, Oxfordshire (M.R.S.); indet. tortricid larva in folded frond of Pteridium under Quercus: 1 male, pp., 26.vi.83, 1984, Inchcailtoch, Loch Lomond (K.P.B.). A common and important parasitoid of brumata, flying in spring from April until June. It is often seen sunning itself on tree trunks in deciduous woodland.

Tribe ERNESTIINI

Ernestia rudis (Fallen). Orthosia stabilis (Denis & Schiffermuller): 1 male, 1., 6.vi.88, 4.v.89, FRANCE [Cavalaire, Var] (T.H.F.). On the continent a very important parasitoid of Panolis flammea (Denis & Schiffermulter). In view of the fact that Ernestia vagans (Meigen) and E. rudis are easily confused, and that a series of parasitoids reared from flavicornis which was examined by him and found to consist solely of vagans, Dr Herting considers that the record of rudis from this host cited by Lundbeck (1927) is more likely to be vagans. The specimen bred from Polyploca ridens (Fabricius) by Taylor (1938) as rudis was later determined by Dr Herting to be vagans, (Herting, 1965).

Ernestia vagans (Meigen). Achlya falvicornis (L.): 1 male, 2 females, pp., 11.vi.81, 25.iv.-8.v.82, Flanders Moss, Stirlingshire (M.R.S.). Bred only from Achlya, and from Polyploca by Taylor (1938), (see under rudis).

Eurithia consobrina (Meigen). Lacanobia oleracea (L.): 2 females, 1., l.x.80, 9.viii.81, Broad Street Station, London (R.A.S.); Xanthia gilvago (Denis& Schiffermüller). 1 female and b. of 2 females, 1., 3.vi.84, 6.vii.84, 20.v.85, Preston, Lancashire (P.S.). Apparently a specialist parasitoid of Mamestra and related genera, but also reported from Cosmia trapezina (L.) and Abrostola triplasia (L.).

Tribe PELATACHININI

Pelatachina tibialis (Fallen). Aglais urticae (L.): l male, 1., 8.vi.80, 18.vi.80, em. 1980, Perthshire (J.R.M.); Aglais ichnusa (Hubner): 3 bs of 1-2 (unsexed), 23.vii.73, FRANCE [Corsica] (M.C.S.). Parasitic chiefly on vannessine larvae but also recorded from some noctuids.

Tribe NEAERINI

Neoplectops pomonellae (Schnabl & Mokrzecki). ? Gypsonoma sp. in shoots of Populus nigra: 1 female, 19-31.vii.87, ix.87, ITALY [Iesa, 40 km S. of Siena, Tuscany] (M.R.S.). We do not know of previous rearing records for this species.

Phytomyptera cingulata (Robineau-Desvoidy). Nemopogon cloacella (Haworth): 11 males, 12 females, 1. or pp., in Phellinus pini on live Pinus, 1.v.82, 5.vi-4.vii.82, Perthshire (M.R.S.); N. cloacella or Schiffermulleria simdella (Hubner): 1 female, 1. or pp., in rotting Pinus, 9.iv.82, 22.iv.82, Perthshire (M.R.S.); Nemopogon personella (Pierce & Metecalfe): 3 males, 7 females, e., or pp., in bracket fungus on live Quercus, ix.81, vi.82, Berkshire (J.A.O.); Esperia sulphurella (Fabricius): 6 males, 8 females, 1. or pp., 16.iv.76, 25.v-30.vi.76, in dead Prunus bark, Warwickshire (M.R.S.); 1 male, 1. or pp., in Malus bark, v.87, Dorset (M.M.B.); oecophorid in dead Quercus bark: 1 male, 1 female, 1. or pp., 20.iv.85, 10-17.v.85, Kent (E.C.P-C.); Teleiodes sequax (Haworth): 1 female, 1., 23.vi.84, 17.vii.84, Aberdeenshire (E.C.P-C.); Acleris variegana (Denis & Schiffermuller): 1 female, 1. or pp., on Berberis, 19.vii.70, 12.viii.70, Aberdeenshire (E.C.P-C.); indet. tortricid on Teucrium: 1 male, 1., 23.vii.70, 12.viii.70, Aberdeenshire (E.C.P-C.). This species is recorded from a wide range of microlepidopterous larvae, but especially those feeding in fungi or dead wood.

Phytomyptera nigrina (Meigen). Caloptilia elongella (L.): 3 female, 1., em. vi.76, SWITZERLAND [Egglisgraben, BL] (S.E.W.); Caloptilia rufi­pennella (Hubner): l female, 30.vi.79, 17.vii.79, FRANCE [Le Fays, Haute Saone] (S.E.W.); Epinotia immundana (Fischer von Roslerstamm): 3 males, 1., 12.vii.79, vii.79, viii.79, Hampshire (M.R.S.); Archips rosana (L.): 3 males, 1., (origin obscure); Adaina microdactyla (Hubner): 1 male, 1., 23.iv.79, 15.v.79, Oxfordshire (M.R.S.). Known from a range of microlepidoptera.

Tribe SIPHONINI

Ceromyia bicolor (Meigen). Lasiocampa trifolii (Denis & Schiffermuller): b. of 3 males, 6 females, mature 1., 1983, Hayling Island, Hampshire (A.R.C.); Lasiocampa quercus (L.): 1 female, young 1., 12.viii.75, 20.viii.75, 11.ix.75, Loch Achilty, Ross and Cromarty (M.R.S.); b. of 24, mature 1., Hoy, Orkney (R.I.L.). This species seems to be solitary in small host larvae, but to develop in sizeable broods in the large ones from which it is more commonly reared. It can overwinter as a puparium.

Actia crassicornis (Meigen). Depressaria conterminella (Zeller): 1 male, 1., 30.v.61, 24.vi.61, Ballyshannon, Donegal (E.C.P-C.). The larvae of depressariine oecophorids are the usual hosts.

Actia pilipennis (Fallen). Anthophila fabriciana (L.): 2 males, 4 females, 1., 30.v.61, 24.vi.61, Perthshire (M.R.S.); 2 males, 3 females, 13.vi.81, 1.vii.81, vii.81, Selkirkshire (M.R.S.); 1 male, 2 females, 2.vii.77, 11.vii.77, 20-28.vii.77, Yorkshire (T.H.F.); Eutromula pariana (Clerck): 1 female, 1., 26.vii.84, 29.vii.84, 29.vii.84, FRANCE [Alpes Maritimes] (M.R.S.); Hypatima rhomboidella (L.): 1 female, 1., 29.vi.83, 19.vii.83, Cornwall (J.L.G.); Lozotaenua forsterana (Fabricius): 2 females, 1., 23.v.84, Cornwall (J.L.G.); Acleris rufana (Denis & Schiffermuller): 1 male, 1., 22.viii.54, 24.ix.54, Argyllshire (E.C.P-C.). Known to parasitise a wide range of microlepidoptera.

Peribaea tibialis (Robineau-Desvoidy). Cyclophora puppillaria (Hubner): 1 male, 1., 18.v.89, 19.v.89, 9.vi.89, FRANCE [Var] (T.H.F.); Pachycnemia hippocastanaria (Hubner): 1 female, 1., 23.v.88, 2.vi.88, 16.vi.88, and 1 male, 1 female, 1., 29.v.89, 31.v.89, 11-16.vi.89, FRANCE [Var] (T.H.F.); indet. geometrid on Cytisus: 1 female, 1., 16.v.89, 20.v.89, 31.vi.89, FRANCE [Drôme] (T.H.F.). Herting (1968) showed that what had hitherto been regarded as P. tubualus was a complex of two species, P. tibialis and P. apicalis (Robineau-Desvoidy). He gives Lithosia complana (L.), Phragmatobia fuliginosa (L.) and Lacanobia oleracea (L.) as definite hosts of tibialis, whose host range therefore appears to be broad.

Ceranthia abdominalis (Robineau-Desvoidy). Cyclophora puppillaria (Hubner): 2 females, 1., on Myrtus communis, 18.v.89, 23.v.89, 14.vi.89, FRANCE [Var] (T.H.F.). Previously reared from Cyclophora pendularia (Clerck), C. annulata (Schulze) and C. porata (L.).

Ceranthia lichtwardtiana (Villeneuve) (det. Stig Andersen). Eupithecia sp. on Betula: 1 male, 1., viii.87, viii.87, 27.vi.88, Hoy, Orkney (R.I.L.). We can find no reference to previous rearings, but its congener C. tristella Herting has been reared from Eupithecia silenata Standfuss (Herting, 1966).

Siphona cristata (Fabricius) (det, Stig Andersen). Mamestra brassicae (L.): b. of 8 (2 males, 1 female, 4 unsexed em.), 1., 3.ix.82, 14.ix.82, 26.vii-4.viii.83, South Edinburgh (M.R.S.); b. of 12 (6 females, 6 unsexed) 1., ix.73, x.73, vii.74, East Didsbury, Manchester (M.R.S.); indet. noctuid on Clematis montana: b. of 17 (3 males, 4 females, 3 unsexed em.), 1., 28.viii.80, 2.ix.80, 2-1 8.viii.8 1, Reading, Berkshire (B.T.P.); indet. noctuid on low plants: b. of 23 (8 males, 12 females, 3 unsexed), 1., 9.viii.82, 12.viii.82, 4.viii.83, Drayton St. Leonard, Oxfordshire (M.C.S.). A gregarious parasitoid of large lepidopterous larvae, particularly Noctuidae.

Tribe VORIINI

Campylochaeta inepta (Meigen). Dendrolimus pini (L.): b. of 3 (1 female, 1 unsexed em.), 1., 30.vii-4.viii.86, 10.ix.86, 1987, FRANCE [Villars-­Colmars, Alpes de Haute Provence] (M.R.S.); Ematurga atomaria (L.): 6 males, 1 female, 1., 28.vii.81,12.viii.81, 3.vi.82, Cors Goch NR, Anglesey (M.R.S.); Anarta myrtilli(L.): 1 male, 1., em. 21.iii.77, Meathop Moss NR, Cumbria (W.A.W.). Parasitic chiefly on geometrid larvae occurring on heaths and moorland, but known also from other macrolepidoptera occurring in similar habitats.

Blepharomyia pagana (Meigen). Erannis defoliaria (Clerck): 2 females, pp., 20.v.75, 21.iv.76, Hampshire (M.R.S.); 1 male, 1 female, pp., em. 1985, Sussex (A.R.C.). Has been reared from various spring-feeding geometrid larvae.

Ramonda spathulata (Fallen). Ochropleura praecox (L.): 1 male, 1 female, p., em. 28.vi-1 .vii.87, Lancashire (K.C.G.); ? Noctua pronuba (L.): b. of 2 males, 3.iii.78, ll.iii.78, 1978, London (R.A.S.); Xestia xanthographa (Denis & Schiffermuller): 6 males, 12 females and b. of 2 males, 1., 2.iii.79, 6-14-iv.79, 16-24.v.79, Berkshire (M.R.S.); b. of 2 males, xii.77, 26.ii.78, 7.v.78, and b. of 2 males, 3.iii.78, 20.iii.78, 15.v.78, also 1 male, 1 female, 3.iv.79, 13.iv.79, 13.v.79, London (R.A.S.); 1 female and b. of 2 females, 3.ii.76, 10.ii.76, 20-23.ii.76, Northumberland (D.A.S.); Mythimna ? pallens (L.): b. of 6 (4 females em.), 1., 5.vi.75, 12.vi.75, 2.vii.75, Lancashire (M.R.S.): Apamea ? crenata (Hufnagel): 1 female, 1., 2.ix.75, xii.75, 1976, Yorkshire (P.W.). A regular parasitoid of low-feeding noctuid larvae in grassland.

Athrycia impressa (Wulp). Anarta myrtilli (L.): 1 male, 5.vii.78, 19.vii.78, Surrey (M.R.S.). This specimen was determined by Dr Herting and is the first record of impressa from Britain.

Athrycia trepida (Meigen). Orthosia gothica (L.): 1 female and 2 bs of 1 male, 1 female, pp., 22.vi-8.vii.78, 15.v-3.vi.79, London (R.A.S.). Parasitic on larvae of various Noctuidae.

Voria ruralis (Fallen). Autographa gamma (L.): b. of 4 (1 male, 2 females em.), 1., 6.viii.89, 19.viii.89, Cornwall (J.L.G.); Abrostola triplasia (L.): b. of 2 females, 1., 30.vii.76, 1.x.76, Kirkcudbrightshire (T.H.F.); plusiine sp. on Mentha: b. of 5 males, 3 females, 1., 31.x.87, 4.v.88, 15-20.v.88, Midlothian (K.P.B.). A specialist parasitoid of Plusiinae, but also recorded from some other noctuids, Arctia species, and once from Vanessa cardui (L.). In the broods recorded here the puparia formed in the host’s larval skin side by side, and in the largest brood the row of puparia extended along the entire length of the host’s body.

Cyrtophleba ruricola (Meigen). Pachycnemia hippocastanaria (Hubner): b. of 2 females, 1., 23.v.88, 2.vi.88, 16.vi.88, and b. of 2 females, 1., 9.vi.89, 14.vi.89, also b. of 1 male, 2 females, 1., 28.v.89, 14.vi.89, 25.vi.89, FRANCE [8 km N. of Frejus, Var] (T.H.F.); Ceramica pisi (L.): b. of Smales, 6 females, pp., 1 .vi.86, 19-23.iv.87, FRANCE [St Paul-en-Forêt, Var] (T.H.F.). Usually parasitic on larvae of Noctuidae. The puparium is strikingly rotund, smooth and very glossy, with the terminal tubercle displaced dorsally.

Thelaira nigripes (Fabricius). Diaphora sordida (Hubner): 1 female, 1., 3 .viii.87, 13 .viii.87, 22.vi.88, FRANCE [Valdeblore, Alpes Maritimes] (M.R.S.). Recorded from various Arctiidae but, so far as we know, not previously from sordida. Also recorded from some Noctuidae and Lasiocampidae.

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Dr B. Herting and Dr H-P. Tschorsnig of the Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde, Stuttgart and Dr S. Andersen of the Zoologiske Museum, Copenhagen, for help with identification, and also the following for preserving and supplying much of the material: R.R. Askew, H. Bates, K.P. Bland, M.R. Britton, M.M. Brooks, G. Bryan, I.K. Buchanan, A. Buckham, G.N. Burton, S. Campbell, P.W. Cribb, I.C. Christie, A.R. Cronin, C. Davidson, A. Dobson, T.C. Dunn, W.A. Ely, L.T. Ford, K.C. Greenwood, J.L. Gregory, N. Hall, F. Harrison, M.A. Hope, J.H. Johnson, T.B. Larsen, R.I. Lorimer, J. McFeely, A.M. Maclaurin, J.R. Miller, M. Noble, J.A. Owen, B.T. Parson, J.H. Payne, E.C. Pelham­Clinton, T.E.D. Poore, W.M. Phillips, M.C. Shaw, D.A. Sheppard, H.G. Short, A.N.B. Simpson, G. Sircoulomb, R.A. Softly, B. Statham, D. Stokes, P. Summers, W.A. Watson, S.E. Whitebread, P.R. Wiles, P.Winter, C.L. Wiskin, J. Wormell, D. Young. Many thanks, too, to Sharon McKay for heroic typing.

References

Andersen, S., 1988. Revision of European species of Phytomyptera Rondani (Diptera Tachinidae). Ent. scand. 19: 43-80.

Audcent, H., 1942. A preliminary list of the hosts of some British Tachinidae. Trans. Soc. Brit. Ent. 8:1-42.

van Emden, F.I., 1954. Diptera Cyclorrhapha. Calyptrata (I) Section (a). Tachinidae and Calliphoridae. Handbk. Ident. Br. Insects 10 (4a): 133pp.

Ford, T.H., 1976. Some records of bred Tachinidae —2. Entomologist’s Rec. .1. Var. 88: 68-71.

—,  1989. Medina separata (Meigen) (Dipt., Tachinidae), new to Britain, Entomologist’s mon. Mag. 125: 139-140.

Hammond, H.E. & Smith, K.G.V., 1953. On some parasitic Dipitera and Hymenoptera bred from lepidopterous hosts, Part 1. Entomologist’s Gaz. 4:273-279.

Hammond, H.E. & Smith, K.G.V., 1955. On some parasitic Diptera and Hymen­optera bred from lepidopterous hosts, Part 2. Emtomologist’s Gaz. 6:168-174.

Herting, B., 1960. Biologie der westpalärktischen Raupenfliegen (Dipt., Tachinidae). Monogrn angew. Ent. 16: 188pp.

— , 1965. Die Parasiten der schädlich auftretenden Spanner- und Eulenraupen. Zeitschr:ft für angewandte Entomologie. 55: 236-263.

— , 1966. Beittrage zur Kenntnis der europaischen Raupenfliegen (Dipt. Tachinidae). IX. Stuttg. Beitr. Naturk. 146: 1-12.

—, 1968. Beitrage zur Kenntnis der europäischen Raupenfliegen (Dipt. Tachinidae). XI. Stuttg. Beitr. Naturk. 196: 1-8.

—, 1984. Catalogue of Palaearctic Tachinidae (Diptera). Stuttg. Beitr. Naturk. (A) 369: 228pp.

Kloet, O.S. & Hincks, W.D., 1972. A check list of British insects, 2nd edition (revised), part 2. Lepidoptera. Handk. Ident. Br. Insects 11(2): 153pp.

Richards, O.W., 1940. The biology of the small white butterfly with special refer­ence to the factors controlling its abundance. J. anim. Ecol. 9: 243-288.

Taylor, F., 1938. Some records of bred Tachinidae (Diptera). J. Soc. Brit. Ent. 1: 221-223.

Wainwright, C.J., 1928. The British Tachinidae. Trans. ent. Soc. Lond. 76: 139-254.

—,   1940. The British Tachinidae, Second Supplement. Trans. ent. Soc. Lond. 90: 411-448.