of the Oil Beetle, Meloe. 329 



long ago* showed that one of the Ichneumonidce, a new species, which he 

 figured and described as Anomalon vesparum, Curt., is parasitic on the larva of 

 the wasp in its cell. Since then, Rhipiphorus paradoxus, the usual parasite of 

 the wasp's nest, has been stated by Mr. Hope to be itself attacked by an Ano- 

 malon, probably Mr. Curtis's species, and this to become the prey of one of the 

 minute Chalcldidcef. Whether any of the true Mordelloe are parasitic is not 

 yet ascertained. The aculeated form of body, so admirably fitted for piercing 

 hard substances and introducing ova into the cells of other insects, — as the 

 parasitic Cxlyoxys^, among bees, introduces its itgg into the nest of Saropoda, 

 — leads us to suspect the Mordelloe of these habits, although the contrary has 

 been stated of some of them. 



From this comparison of species, we find that those which most nearly 

 approach to Meloe in the form of the imago, also most closely resemble it in 

 the larva state, both in general structure and habit ; while those which differ 

 most in the form of the imago, do so likewise in the anatomy and economy of 

 the larva. 



This view of the relation which the habits of species bear to their pecu- 

 liarities of organization, leads us to an examination of that anomalous order 

 of insects, the Strepsiptera. These have many analogies with Meloe, both in 

 their organization in the larva state and in their habits. They compose a 

 very distinct group, members of which have been found in almost all parts of 

 the world, and every one of which is a parasite. As I shall have occasion, in 

 my attempts to point out the analogies of form and peculiarities of structure 

 connected with special habits, to compare the form and economy of the early 

 stages of the Strepsiptera and the Meloe, and to identify these with correspond- 

 ing associations of form and habit in the truly parasitic Anoplura, it may be 

 well first to give some general view of the facts known of the habits and struc- 

 ture of the Strepsiptera, more especially of their larva state, preparatory to a 

 future examination of the special anatomy of Meloe. 



* British Entomology, fol. 198, Jan. 1, 1828. 



t Trans. Ent. Sec. Lond. vol. iii. part 1. (Proceed, p. iii. June 4, 1838.) 



X Newport, Proceedings Entom. Soc. Lond. p. 109, July Ist, 1844 ; and President's Anniversary 

 Address 1845, Svo, p. 12. 



