HOW TO KNOW THE INSEQS 



the pedicel as do the true ants. The predominating colors are 



black and red. The males are winged and are found on flowers. 



The wingless females sting viciously. 



6b Winged; without covering of reddish hair, (or if with red 

 hairs, tarsi broad and flat.) 7 



7a Hind leg with two trochanters, i.e. three small segments 

 between femur and thorax 8 



7b Hind leg with but one trochanter, i.e. two small segments 

 between femur and thorax 11 



8a Front wings without closed cells. Mostly very small para- 

 sitic wasps. (The Cha Icid-f I ies.) Fig. 232. 



Fami ly 31, CHALCIDIDAE 



■:^^^ Fig. 232. Brachymeria ovata (Say) 



-^ ^^~^ Hind femora black, with white or yellow 



spot at tip. Head and thorax heavily punc- 

 tured but dorsal surface of abdomen without 

 punctures. Tegulae wholly white or yellow. 

 Length 3.5-7 mm. (From U.S.D.A.) 



In this family belong some of the tiniest 

 of all Insects, some being only one-fourth 

 of a millimeter in length. Black Is the 

 predominating color; many have a metallic 

 sheen. The head Is proportionately large 

 and the wings with but few veins. Some very 

 Figure 232. Important egg parasites belong here. Some 

 species Infest seeds and are harmful. 



8b Front wings with one or more closed cells 9 



9a Front wings without a dark thickened spot (stigma) midway 

 on front margin. Mostly small gall-making wasps. (The 

 Cynipids.) Fig. 233. Family 28, CYNIPIDAE 



Fig. 233. Rhodltes rosae (L.) The 

 Mossy Rose Gall. 



Head, thorax, and antennae black; 

 abdomen and legs reddish brown, the 

 former shining and darker at apex. 

 Wings, brownish. May be readily 



reared In large numbers by enclos- 



//y£s=^— ^=-^ / j^j^g mossy rose galls in a tight 

 container. Length about 4 mm. 



These little fellows have some 

 peculiar ways of making a living. 

 There has been much speculation as 

 to Just what causes the plant so 

 p^ g 233 greatly to Increase its grown of 



^^^^ * tissue in producing a gall and 



whether the magic cause could not 

 be applied to fruits and stems to grow apples as big as nail 

 kegs or potatoes the size of watermelons. For genuine Interest 

 these and some other groups of gall makers could enliven one's 

 leisure hours for a lifetime. 

 9b Front wings with a dark thickened spot (stigma) midway on 



front margin; females with long thread-like ovipositors. , . 10 

 10a Cells Ml and 1st M2 (See Figs. 253 and 254) of front wings 

 distinct. (The Ichneumon Wasps.) Fig. 234. 



Fami ly 13, ICHNEUMONI DAE 



109 



