584 



INSECTA. 



Cladius, Klug, has also 9-jointed antenna;, but those of other males are pectinated on one side. [C. difformis, 

 a small black species, rather uncommon.] 



Athalia, Leach, has the body short, and the antenna; from 10 to 14-jointed, and simple in both sexes. [A,centi- 

 f olios, Panz., is extremely destructive to turnips, its larva being known under the name of the Nigger, or 

 Black Jack.] 



Pterygophorus, Klug, has the antennae more than 16-jointed, with a single row of teeth in the males, and serrated 

 in the females, [composed entirely of Australian insects]. 



Lophyrus, Latr., has the male antennae furnished with a double row of long branches, and serrated in the 

 females. The larvae have twenty-two feet, and live in society, especially upon firs and pines. 



In the following genera the labium is hidden, or but little exposed ; the inner edge of the four posterior tibice 

 has often two spurs in the middle, and often a third above the preceding pair. The antennae are always composed 

 of a great number of joints. 



Megalodontes, Latr. (Tarpa, Fab.), have the antennae serrated or comblike. 



Pamphilius, Latr. (Lyda, Fab.), has the antennae simple in both sexes. Their larvae have no membranous feet, 

 and the posterior extremity of the body is terminated by two horns. They feed upon leaves, which they often 

 roll up and fasten together. 



The terminal Tenthredinetae have the ovipositor extended beyond its sheath, and exposed posteriorly ; the inner 

 extremity of the two fore tibiae has only a single spur, which is bent, and terminated by two teeth; the antennae 

 are always composed of a great number of joints, and are simple. 



Xyela, Dalm. (Pinicola, Breb., Mastigocerus, Klug), is very distinct, from its elbowed antennae suddenly 

 attenuated towards the tip, 11-jointed, the third joint being exceedingly long, as well as the maxillary palpi ; the 

 stigma is replaced by a cell . The larvae live in the interior of vegetables, or in old wood. [These are small and 

 singular insects, one species of which, X. pusilla, has occurred, but very rarely, in this country.] 



Cephas, Latr. (Tracheitis, Jur.), has the antennae inserted near the forehead [not elbowed], and thickened at tip. 

 From some observations published in the Bulletin Universel of Ferussac, it appears that the larva of the most 

 common species, C. pygma;us, lives in the stems of wheat. 



Xiphydria, Latr. (Urocerus, Jur.), has the antennae inserted near the mouth, and more slender at the tips. 

 [This genus naturally belongs to the family Urocerata, the construction of its ovipositor agreeing with that of 

 Urocerus ; the larvae also live in solid wood. The imago is remarkable for the great length of its neck, whence 

 the names of the typical species, X. camelus and Dromedarius, 



[The student must especially consult the monograph on this family published by Saint Fargeau, the 

 numerous memoirs of Klug in the Berlin Magazine, various works of Dahlbora and Hartig, the two last 

 of whom have studied the family with great care, and especially with reference to their transforma- 

 tion. Mr. Stephens has described the British species in his British Entomology.] 



The second tribe, that of the 



Urocerata, — 

 is distinguished from the preceding by the following characters : The mandibles are short and thick ; 

 the lower lip entire ; the ovipositor of the females is either very much exserted, and composed of three 

 threads, or spirally coiled in the interior of the abdomen and capillary. This tribe is composed of 

 the genus 



Sirex, Linn., — 

 The body of which is nearly cylindric, the head nearly gobular. The females deposit their eggs in old 

 trees, especially of fir ; the ovipositor is lodged at its base, between two valves, forming a sheath. 



Oryssus, Latr., has the antennae inserted near the mouth, 10 or 11-jointed; the mandibles are without teeth ; 

 the maxillary palpi long and 5-jointed; the posterior extremity of the body nearly rounded, and the ovipositor 

 capillary, and spirally coiled within the abdomen. The two species [known to Latreille] are found in Europe 

 upon trees early in spring, and are very active. [The typical species, 0. coronatus, has been found in this 

 country.] 



Sirex proper ( Urocerus, Geoftr.), has the antennae inserted near the forehead, with from 13 to 25 joints ; the man- 

 dibles toothed internally ; the maxillary palpi very small, nearly conical, and 2-jointed, with the extremity of the 

 abdomen prolonged into a horn, and the ovipositor exserted and formed of three threads. These insects are of 

 large size, and generally inhabit pine forests in cold and mountainous countries, and produce during flight a buz- 

 zing noise like that of the Humble Bees. In certain seasons they appear [in such countries] in such abundance 

 that they become objects of popular dread. The larvae have six feet, with the posterior extremity of the body 

 terminated in a point ; they live in wood, where they spin a cocoon and undergo their transformations. [Saint 

 Fargeau, contrary to the statements of the German naturalists, who have such abundant opportunities of studying 

 the manners of this genus, has endeavoured to show that these insects are parasites. Typical species, Sirex 

 gigas, Linn. (S. mariscus, L., the male) ; it has occurred in this country, but very rarely, and is as large as 

 a Hornet.] 



Tremex, Jur., differs in having shorter antennae, composed of only thirteen or fourteen joints, and in the fore- 

 wings having only two cubital cells. 



