THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 231 



Antennae 14-jointed, ? ; third submarginal cell very small, less 

 than half the length of the second Brachytoma, Westw. 



Scutellum posteriorly bidentate. 



Antennse 8-jointed (or ? more), clavate. ? . . Pterygophorus, Klug. 

 Antennae 1 8-jointed, in both sexes, filiform, subserrate, the third 



joint longer than the fourth Philomastix, Froggatt. 



Subfamily III. — Pergin^. 



In this subfamily the antennae are 6- or 7-jointed, clavate, and alike 

 in both sexes ; the cubitus always originates from the subcostal vein 

 away from the apex of the basal nervure ; the costal vein is considerably 

 thickened ; while the transverse median nervure is interstitial, or very 

 nearly so, with the basal nervure. 



These characters at once separate the group from the two preceding. 



The larvae too, judging from what has been published respecting 

 them, are also quite different. Unfortunately, the published descriptions 

 of them are very superficial and one can gain little information respecting 

 their structure. Most of them seem to be black or brown, with yellow 

 markings and clothed with short white hairs, which would indicate an 

 affinity with the Selaiidriidce. According to Mr. R. H. Lewis and Mr. 

 W. W. Froggatt, they live on various species of gum trees belonging to 

 the genus Eucalyptus — trees indigenous to Australia. 



A most remarkable habit of maternal insect in the female of Perga 

 Lewisii, Westw., and the only case known among the Terebrant Hymen- 

 optera, is recorded by Mr. Lewis.* He says : " The larvae when hatched 

 are of a dirty green colour, with shining black heads ; they keep together 

 in the brood, arranging themselves in oval masses, their heads pointed 

 outwards ; but sometimes I have seen them arranged on both sides of 



the leaves, their heads pointed towards the edges The 



mother insect follows them, sitting with outstretched legs over her brood, 

 preserving them from the heat of the sun, and protecting them from the 

 attacks of parasites and other enemies with admirable perseverance. I 

 endeavoured to drive some from their posts by pricking them with the 

 point of a black-lead pencil ; but they refused to leave, seizing whatever 

 was presented to them in their mandibles, no doubt very formidable 

 weapons when employed against their race. They never attempted to 

 use their wings or move from the spot." 



*Trans. Ent. Soc, Lond., Vol. I., 1836, p. 232. 



