194 



THE INSECT WORLD. 



spiders: and Mutilla (Fig. 372), whose females resemble ants, being 

 variegated \\'ith red and yellow, the males, being pro\ided with wings 

 and smaller in size, and black. The MutillcE are parasitical on solitary- 

 bees, their larvce devouring their larvae. 



Other Hmienoptera lay their eggs under the skin of certain 



F'S- 3"3- — -^ species of Pimpla. 



Fig. 374- — A species of Ophion. 



insects, especially when these are in the larva or caterpillar stat( 

 thus rendering service to agriculture by destroying a great number <: 

 noxious insects. In lieu of a sting they have an auger, intended t 

 pierce the skin of their victims. It is thus that the Ichnaanot 

 introduce their eggs under the skin of caterpillars. The Pimph 

 (Fig. 373). which belongs to this group, have a x^ry long oviposito 

 which, with its two appendages, constitute three lancets, and enab 

 them to get at the larvs in their retreats. The Ophions (Fig. 37- 



