CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR KNOWLEDGE OF BRITISH BRACONIDE. 123 
been found to be a parasite of Nepticula septembrella. I have 
never been fortunate enough to capture or breed a specimen of 
this insect. 
Genus 2.—Acelius, Hal.* 
A single species of this genus also is at present known to be 
British, though several others have been described from the 
Continent, and will probably be proved to be present in this 
country also. 
A. subfaciatus, Hal.+ 
Distinguished by the dusky bands on the wings and the 
incrassated hind tibie. A common parasite of the larve of 
leaf-mining Tinea, especially those of the genus Nepticula. 
Genus 38.—Apanteles, Forst.t{ 
The largest and most difficult genus in the group, widely 
distributed, though apparently more plentiful in temperate than 
in tropical regions. Some eighty or so species are now known 
as British, and all are, I believe, parasites of the larve of 
Lepidoptera. Iam aware that other hosts have been recorded, 
but these seem to need confirmation. With the possible 
exception of some of those with xylophagous larve, it seems 
doubtful if any species of Lepidoptera in this country altogether 
escapes the attacks of one or more species of Apanteles. 
I have examined the larve of several species in this genus 
and have found them all very similar in appearance; on first 
emerging from the host they have a pale greenish tint, the 
intestinal canal showing as a darker green line; after spinning 
their cocoons, however, they become creamy white, the intestinal 
canal then showing as a faint lemon-coloured line. They are 
smooth, shining, attenuated towards the head, parts of the 
mouth chitinous and outlined in dark brown, two brown blotches, 
one on either side of the second segment; in some species the 
whole of the body is covered with very minute black dots and 
there is a noticeable ring of larger black dots round each 
segment; on a high-power magnification being used it will be 
seen that each of these dots takes the form of a ring. 
The silken cocoons made by the larve of Apanteles are 
particularly interesting and often of great assistance in deter- 
mining the species. Usually they remind one in shape and 
appearance, if not in size, of the cocoons of the ‘ silk-worm,”’ 
though some species construct smooth papyraceous cocoons. In 
colour they vary from a pure white to deep orange. The cap 
* ‘Ent. Mag.,’ ii, 231. 
+ ‘Ent. Mag.,’ ii, 232. 
t ‘Verh. pr Rheml.,’ 1862, p. 245. 
