28 



HANDBOOK OF ANTS, BEES, ETC. 



Family 19, Chalcididce. — To this family belong many gall insects, 

 principally found, however, in foreign countries. 



The Chalcididce. include a great number of small species, few 

 exceeding half an inch in expanse. Many of these are singular 

 in shape, and others brilliantly metallic ; but, owing to their small 

 size, they have hitherto been studied by comparatively few 

 entomologists. 



Fig. 31. — Thoracamba Faicata (Mag.) 



Fdjnily 20, ProctotrypidcB. — The Froctotrypidce are probably 

 much less numerous than the preceding family, but have been less 

 studied, being generally smaller and more obscure in their habits ; 

 in fact, some of them share with several beetles the reputation of 

 being the smallest insects. 



Fig. 32.— Proctotrypes Ruhpes (Mag.) 



Family 21, Braconidce. — This family is one of very great 

 extent. 



Many of the foreign species are rather large and handsome 

 insects, often varied with black and yellow. 



The best known of the Braconidce is perhaps Microgaster glome- 

 ratiis^ a small blackish species with reddish-yellow legs, which 

 destroys the larvcB of the common Cabbage Butterflies, round 

 the dead body of which its little yellow cocoons may often be 

 observed. 



