Report of the State Entomologist. 



39 



Fig. 17.— Tho Lunated Long-stins. Thalessa 

 LUNATOR — female ovipositiug. 



of the ovipositor, which thus becomes perpeBclicular under the iusect, 

 where it is guided and supported l)}- the sheathsj which bend up in 

 loops over her back. By vigorous muscular contractions of the sac, 

 the delicate ovij^ositor is slowly forced down the larva's burrow, often 

 to its full extent. 



In the accompanying figure, the insect is represented in the attitude 

 above described, with her ovi- 

 positor emerging from the lower 

 angle of the end of the abdomen, 

 already thrust some distance into 

 the wood, while held in po.sition, 

 braced and guided by the two 

 stouter guides, which, given out 

 at the upper angle, are curved 

 upward over the abdomen, and 

 downward along its sides. 



The above observations of Mr. 

 Harrington, are sujjplemented 

 b}' those of Mr. J. Quay [loc. cit.), 

 which, from the interest attaching to the o2)eration, we also (juote: 



I observed that after raising the abdomen as far as possible, the 

 drill was worked forward so as 'to slightly bend under, giving the 

 insect a purchase on same. Then followed a bearing down motion on 

 the bent tube, curving the end of the abdomen forward and upward, 

 and next forcing the ovipositor, near its attached end, to curve also 

 and pass up through the abdomen and above into a cavity which 

 there opened for its reception. The cavity was inclosed by a mem- 

 branous sack, capable of great distention, and while the drill was 

 being eontinuallj' forced up through, it curved about within the sack 

 forming one complete bend of about three-fourths of an inch in 

 diametex-, and another partial one. When fully distended the sack 

 was very thin, quite transparent, and seemingly upon the point of 

 bursting apart. But the ovipositor was in this manner brought to the 

 edge of the worm-hole, was slipped in, and thus made to ease away 

 upon the distended sack which by collapsing forced out again the drill 

 by its mere force of contraction, and %e coil now soon disapj)eared. 



Another writer has stated: "The long ovipositor is passed between 

 the posterior legs, the abdomen is elevated almost to a right angle 

 with the thorax, and the ovipositor guided by the anterior tarsi is 

 forced with a ramming motion into the w'ood to the dei:)th of from 

 two to three inches." (Dade.) 



