In Java, Brontispa longissima (Gestro) (Col., Hispidae) is represented by chr. var. javana Weise and in South Sulawesi (South Celebes) by chr. var. selebensis Gestro. The endoparasite Tetrastichus brontispae (Ferriére) (Hym., Eulophidae) attacks both chr. var. javana and selebensis. However, in Java, there are two distinct strains of chr. var. javana. In one strain (A-strain) the parasite completes its development normally but in the other (B-strain) the parasites usually die in the larval stage. The areas where each strain occurs have been demarcated.

In laboratory studies at Bogor during 1958 it was established that the lifecycles of the A- and B-strains were similar. T. brontispae completed its development from egg to adult in 15 to 21 days (16 on average) in A-hosts but died in the larval stage in B-hosts within three to four days. In a few instances parasites in B-hosts were able to complete their development, but generally the host died a few days after the death of the parasites.

In the laboratory, adult parasites attacked B-hosts as readily as A-hosts, although the former were not suitable for parasite development. Phagocytosis by encapsulation or melanisation was occasionally encountered but was not the usual cause of the death of the parasites.