664 



INSECT LIFE IN INDIA AND HOW TO STUDY IT, 



BEING 



A SIMPLE ACCOUNT OF THE MORE IMPORTANT FAMILIES OF INSECTS 



WITH EXAMPLES OF THE DAMAGE THEY DO TO CROPS, 



TEA, COFFEE AND INDIGO CONCERNS, FRUIT 



AND FOREST TREES IN INDIA, 



BY 



E. P. STEBBING, f.l.s., f.z.s., f.e.s. 

 Part IV. 



{Continued from page 131 of this Volume.) 



Chapter VI. 



Hymenoptera Petiolata— continued. 

 Series 2. — Tubulifera. 



The trochanters are undivided and the hind body consists of from 3-5 

 visible segments ; the female has an ovipositor -which is usually retrac- 

 tile and contains a fine pointed lance. The larvae usually live in the 

 cells of other hymenoptera. 



Compared with the Parasitica and Terebrantia this is a small group of 

 Insects practically devoid of economic interest. One family is recognised. 



Fam. IX. Chrysididae— Ruby- Wasps. 



The Ruby- Wasps are usually easily recognisable owing to their brilliant 

 metallic colouring and to the curious construction of the abdomen, 

 which allows the Insect to curl it completely under the front parts so 

 as to roll itself up into a ball. The Insects have a very hard, coarsely- 

 sculptured integument and elbowed antennae 

 of usually thirteen joints. The larva has the 

 ordinary number of joints to its body found 

 in the grubs of this order and thus does not 

 differ as do the adults. The reason for the 

 fewer number of visible segments in the bodies 



Fig. M.—Chrysis fusci- of the Ruby- Wasp is due to the fact that a 

 pennis (India and 

 Burma.) greater number ot the terminal segments are 



drawn into the body to make the telescope-like structure containing 



the pointed lance or style. Although the latter is occasionally used as 



a sting it is incapable of inflicting a serious wound. 



The Ruby flies do not attain a large size but owing to their brilliant 



colouration they are often to be noticed in India in verandahs and 



