76 HYMENOPTEKA. 



pectus are more or less black ; the metathorax is also black behind. Abdomen smooth 

 and shining ; the apex covered with long white hairs ; the fascia in fore wings com- 

 mences close to the end of the radial cellule, and is a little longer than it. 



Pam. CHALCIDID-3S. 



This family contains an immense horde of minute parasitic species, the study of 

 which is attended with great difficulties. The European forms have been divided into 

 a large number of genera, the characters of which do not appear to apply to exotic 

 species, and many of which, moreover, have been grounded on single species — as often 

 as not, known only from one sex. The definitions furthermore given by Foerster 

 and Thomson for many of the higher groups are, in the majority of cases, equally 

 inapplicable to exotic forms. These, then, would require to have new divisions created 

 for them, or the older ones would need have their limits enlarged and revised. My 

 material, however, is so limited that I have not attempted to do this, and I have avoided 

 as much as possible the creation of new genera. 



Subfam. LEUCOSPIDINjE. 



« 



This group is a very distinct one, being readily distinguished by having the wings 

 folded as in the Vespides, and by the ovipositor being turned over the back of the 

 abdomen. 



LEUCOSPIS. 

 Leucospis, Fabricius, Syst. Ent. ii. p. 245 ; Westwood, Germ. Zeits. Ent. i. p. 235. 



This well-known genus is found in the Palsearctic Region, North and South Africa, 

 the East Indies, North America, Brazil and Chili, New Caledonia, &c. 



The species are parasites in the nests of bees and wasps. 



1. Leucospis bulbiventris. 



Leucospis bulbiventris, Cresson, Tr. Am. Ent. Soc. iv. p. 29 \ 



Hdb. Mexico 1 . 



2. Leucospis apicalis. 



Leucospis apicalis, Cresson, Tr. Am. Ent. Soc. iv. p. 30 \ 

 Hdb. Mexico 1 . 



3. Leucospis mexicana. (Tab. IV. iigg. 11,$; 11a, maxilla; 11*, labium; 

 11 c, mandible.) 



Leucospis mexicana, Walker, Journ. of Ent. i. p. 20, $ x ; Cresson, Tr. Am. Ent. Soc. iv. p. 30. 

 Hob. Mexico 1 ; Nicaeagua, Chontales (Belt) ; Panama (Boucard). 



