Since the discovery of the highly effective parasite, Anicetus beneficus Ishii et Yasumatsu, 1954〔formerly known as A.annulatus (nec Timberlake), A. ceroplasiis (nec lshii ) or a Kyushu race of A.ceroplastis〕, of Ceroplastes rubens Maskell in Kyushu, it has long been observed by the senior author that the size of the first brood parasite was larger than that of the second one. The purpose of this study was to clarify this problem biometrically using 600 female and 400 male specimens which have been preserved in 70% alcohol. In order to make a biometrical study the distance between the center of the posterior margin of the pronotum and the apical point of the scutellum (or the length of mesoscutum and scutellum taken together) (A) and the length of the fore wings (B) were measured under the microscope. The results were shown in Tables 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 or Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, all confirming the accuracy of the senior author's observation mentioned above. According to the authors' investigation published in 1953, differences in the reproductive capacity and the longevity of the adult parasite depend exclusively upon its size, viz., the smaller the adult female the fewer the eggs and weaker the power of survival. Therefore, the present study supports the senior author's opinion that at the liberation of this parasite the utilization of the first brood parasite is better than that of the second one not only from the technical point of view but also from the physiological standpoint of the parasite itself. In other words, the earlier commercial control of Ceroplastes rubens would be expected by the liberation of the first brood Anicetus beneficus.
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