11)8 



ELEMENTARY STUDIES IN INSECT LIFE 



to man. In Europe there is a species of flea which is 

 very troublesome to man. This species occurs some- 

 times in this country. 



HYMENOPTERA. 



These insects have four membranous wings. The 

 hind wings are smaller than the front wings. Man- 

 dibulate mouth-parts, in many cases accompanied by 





FIG. 174. A wood-boring hymenopt'eron, the pigeon horn-tail (Tremex columba) 

 natural size. From photograph. 



proboscis ; metamorphosis complete. The name arises 

 from two Greek words, vprfv, hymen, membrane, and 

 irrepdv, pteron, a wing. 



This order includes the bees, ants, and wasps, well- 

 known forms, remarkable for their social habits and 

 marvelous instincts. The order may be divided into 

 three groups, divisions based largely upon the habits of 

 the insects. 



Plant-eating Hymenoptera are those whose larvae 

 have feet, and are capable of moving about in quest of 

 food; they somewhat resemble caterpillars. The meta- 



