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Oviposition by overwintered univoltine, monomorphic adults of Neochlamisus platani (Brown) beings in mid-May. Stalked eggs encased in fecal material are deposited usually on the abaxial surface of American sycamore and London planetree leaves. A small number is deposited on the adaxial surface, on the petiole, or on the stems. The eggs are highly parasitized by Tetrastichus chlamytis Ashmead during the 6-wk oviposition period. The field-collected egg case is bell-shaped with a mean length of 1.34 mm and 0.82 mm width at the top. Females confined to a Petri dish, and in a 180° reverse rotation from their situation in the field, construct egg cases wider than field-collected cases. Twelve caged females laid 1,826 eggs during 6 wk of adult life. Punctuated feeding by larva on expanding new leaves results in a pronounced shot-hole appearance. Case-bearing larvae use both mandibles and bifid tarsal claws to maintain defensive attachment to the leaf surface when disturbed. Last instars often wander from feeding site to mo< they attach at stipules and resemble leaf axillary buds. Eggs incubated under natural conditions develop in 13-15 d. Four groups of head capsule widths were identified by morphometric analysis and separated with a scatter diagram. Head capsule width increased at each molt by a factor of 1.40. Mean larval, pupal, and case length measurements are given. Adaptive protective behavior of larvae and adults is described. The egg, larva, and pupa are orange. Of eggs collected for seven successive weeks, 32% produced larvae, 37% produced parasites, and 27% were apparently fed upon by a predator.
John W. Neal (Sun,) studied this question.