INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OF CALIFORNIA. 



365 



PARASITE OF THE MELON APHIS 



Aphidius testaceipes (Cresson) (Family Braconidse) 

 (Lysiphlebus testaceipes Cresson) 



(Fig. 363) 



Description. — The adults are exceedingly small to develop within 

 the bodies of the plant lice, being but T Vj inch long. The body is very 

 slender, dull or shiny black, with legs, antenna? and base of abdomen 



Fig. 363. — Parasites of plant lice. Aphidius testaceipes (Cr.) at the left and 

 Charips xanthopsis (Ashm. ) at the right. A, wings; B and C, antennae; D. tip of 

 female abdomen; E, tip of male abdomen. (Author's illustration, P. C. Jr. Ent.) 



pale amber. The wings are hyaline and iridescent with pale amber 

 stigmas. 



Life History.— The females deposit their eggs within the living 

 tissues, inside the bodies of the plant lice, by means of a long, sharp- 



