944 AN INTRODUCTION TO ENTOMOLOGY 



is the most desirable variety grown, without this stimulation the 

 young figs soon turn yellow and drop. It is the oily kernel of the 

 fertile seed that gives the Smyrna figs their superior quality. 



The fertilization of the edible figs is termed caprification. It is 

 brought about by placing in the fig trees fruit of the wild figs contain- 

 ing the fig insects. In order to produce the Smyrna figs it is necessary 

 to grow also the wild figs, or caprifigs as they are termed. 



There are many species of fig insects living in the wild figs of 

 tropical and semi-tropical countries. 



Subfamily PERILAMPIN^ 



The members of this subfamily are short species with large heads, 

 robust thoraces, and short oval abdomens. Some are metallic green 

 and thus resemble cuckoo wasps. Others are black. Most of our 

 species belong to the genus Perildmpus. Perildmpus lays its eggs on 

 leaves partially inserted into incisions made by the ovipositor. The 

 first stage lan.^a is a tiny active animal with chitinous armor and series 

 of spines beneath (Fig. 1167). The name planidium has been given 

 to this type of larva. The planidium attaches to a passing caterpillar 

 and bores into its body. There it locates and penetrates the larva 

 of a tachinid, ichneumonid, or other parasite of the caterpillar. After 

 the primary parasite of the caterpillar has completed its growth and 

 pupated, the Perildmpus larva emerges from its body and finishes 

 development as an external parasite of the parasite pupa. The other 

 larval instars lose the specializations of the planidium stage and 

 look more like normal parasite larv'ae (Fig. 11 68). Most species of 

 Perildmptis are secondary parasites, but P. chrysopcE is a primary 

 parasite of lacewing-flies. 



Subfamily EUCHARIN^ 



The subfamily Eucharinas includes a few uncommon or local 

 species parasitic on ants. In the tropics species and individuals are 

 more numerous. Some genera have a bizarre pair of spines extending 

 backwards from the scutellum. The eggs are laid in the leaves or 

 buds of plants. The first stage larva is a planidium resembling that 

 of the Perilampinee. Probably the planidia attach to worker ants 

 and are thus carried to the ant larvae and pupae which they parasitize. 



Subfamily CHALCIDIN^ 



This subfamily is easily recognized by its very swollen hind femur, 

 though certain members of other groups have this character also (see 

 the key to subfamilies). The peculiar hind legs appear to be suited 

 for grasping prey. Females occasionally grasp host larvae with thein 

 for oviposition. The Chalcidince includes most of the large species 

 of the family. Some of our species of Spilochdlcis are as large as yellow 

 jacket wasps and on account of their similar black and yellow color 



