ORDER HYMENOPTERA. 3 I 



met with in fir plantations, and uses its extraordinary ovipositor 

 to drill holes in trees infested by the larvce of Sirex gigas, on 

 which its own larva is parasitic. The insect frequently drives 

 its ovipositor so firmly into the wood of the tree, that it is unable 

 to withdraw it, and perishes in this position. 



Fauiily 23, Evaniidce. — One of the most familiar insects be- 

 longing to this family is the Evaiiia appendigastcr. It is a small 

 black insect, found in the south of Europe, and is parasitic on 

 cockroaches. An alHed British species, Fxnus jaadator, is a 

 not uncommon insect found haunting the burrows of Crabronidce, 

 upon which it is probably parasitic. 



Family 24, Clirysididce. — The Ruby-tailed Wasps, or Golden 

 Wasps, as the Chrysididcz are popularly called, are among the most 

 brilliant of the Hymenoptera, most of the species being either of an 

 intense green, blue, or fiery red. 



They are small or moderate-sized insects, which are found on 



^ig- 37-— Chrysis Ignita (Mag.) 



walls or flowers in the full heat of the sun ; for, as a rule, the most 

 brilliantly-coloured insects are diurnal in their habits. 



As far as their habits are known, they deposit their eggs in the 

 nests of other insects, chiefly Hymenoptera, on the larvcB of which 

 their own offspring feed. 



The commonest British species is Chrysis ig7iita, which is a very 

 variable insect, both as regards size and colouring. 



Tribe III. — Phytophaga. 



The insects belonging to the third tribe of the Hymenoptera are 

 strictly vegetable feeders. There are only two families. 



Family 25, Siricidce, — This family includes the insects known 

 as Tailed Wasps. It is not a very extensive family, and its species 

 occur chiefly in Europe and North America, in both of which 

 regions the typical genus Si?'ex is represented by large species. 



