APHIDIVOROUS CHALCIDI^. 153 



Aphidius consfricfus infests both Siphonophora rosce, 

 and S. millefoUi. 



Aphidius obsoletus (Westmael) is parasitic on the 

 peach Aphis. 



Aphidius varius probably is identical with Ichneumon 

 aphidium of Geoffrey. 



To these may be added the species cited by Haliday — 

 Aphidius laricis, A. circii, A. deltiger, A, e:eoletus, and A. 

 plagiator. 



Of the genus Allotria {Xystus, Hartig), Allotria 

 victrix has been described by Westwood, who saw the 

 process of oviposition in the rose Aphis. 



Allotria erijthrocephala. Walker states that this 

 insect almost saves the water-lily from destruction, by 

 its attacks on Bhopalosiphum nymphcecB, which some- 

 times kills the plants over large surfaces of the Thames 

 and other sheets of water. Mr. Smee has also assured 

 us of the destruction of acres of this beautiful plant 

 by this Aphis at Hampton Court. 



M. Bouche says the complete development of 

 Aphidius is effected in about four weeks, which is 

 nearly the period shown in the life of a single Aphis. 



Ephedrus plagiator is figured and described in 

 Vol. I, Plate VII, fig. 1, of this Monograph. Also see 

 Curtis' ' Farm Insects,' p. 290. 



Trionyx rapce is also described by Curtis. I have 

 bred it from Aphis brassicce, Vol. II, Plate XL VI, fig. 7. 



APHIDIVOROUS^CHALCIDIiE. 



This family is in close relationship with the foregoing 

 Ichneumonida3. Its parasitic habits are well repre- 

 sented by not a few Aphidivorous species, which may be 

 noted for their diminutive size. The tribe generally is 

 remarkable for their brilliant metallic colours, such as 

 gold and copper, which glance finely in the sunshine. 



The antennae are flagellate or elbowed, and composed 

 of from six to twelve joints, the three first of which 

 are often soldered into one. The wings are exceedingly 



