STYLOPID^E. 481 



forms are not yet known. RhipipJiorus is a wedge-shaped 

 genus, not found in America. R. Finnicus Paykull is said to 

 be a parasite on Chrysis, the cuckoo wasp. It is here repre- 

 sented by two genera, Macrosiagon and Emmenadia which are 

 wedge-shaped, with coarsely punctured and sparsely pubescent 

 bodies, with the vertex of the head much elevated. In Myo- 

 dites the elytra are very small. The species are found on Soli- 

 dago or Golden-rod in August. The genus Metoecus is allied 

 to Myodites. Metoecus paradoxus Linn, is in Europe a para- 

 site in the nests of wasps (Vespa) eating the larvae. 



In the genus Rliipidius the males have short pointed de- 

 hiscent elytra, while the females are entirely wingless and 

 worm-like. It is a parasite on Blatta Germanica. They are 

 to be looked for in this country, where they have not yet 

 occurred. 



STYLOPID^E Kirby. This most anomalous family, both as 

 regards the structure and the habits of the few species compos- 

 ing it, were for a long time excluded from the Coleoptera by 

 s}'Stematists generally, and by Gerstaecker they are even now 

 placed in the old "order" Strepsiptera. They are minute 

 forms, and have been characterized thus by Dr. Leconte. 

 "Oral organs atrophied except the mandibles and one pair of 

 palpi. Head large, transverse, vertical, prolonged at the sides, 

 forming a stout peduncle, at the end of which are situated the 

 eyes, which are convex and veiy coarsely granulated. Antennae 

 inserted on the front, at the base of the lateral processes of 

 the head ; forked in one genus. Prothorax exceedingly short. 

 Mesothorax short, bearing at each side a slender, coriaceous 

 club-shaped appendage, with the inner margin membranous : 

 this appendage represents the elytra. Metathorax very large, 

 greater in bulk than the rest of the body, with the sutures of 

 the dorsal pieces all distinct. The postscutellum is conical and 

 prolonged far over the base of the abdomen ; wings very large, 

 fan-shaped, with a few diverging nervures ; the epimera are 

 very large, and project behind almost as far as the postscutel- 

 lum. Abdomen small, with from seven to nine segments. 

 Legs short; anterior and middle coxae cylindrical, prominent; 

 hind coxffi veiy small, contiguous, quadrate ; tibiae without 

 31 



