69 
Pimpla, the genus from which the sub-family takes its name, contains a num- 
ber of very useful species of which P. conquisitor (Figure 23) is a great aid in 
checking the ravages of the 
Forest Tent-caterpillar. I 
observed it to be very abund- 
antin 13889. This species has 
the segments of the abdomen 
margined with white, but in 
our other species the thorax 
and abdomen are entirely 
7 black. The legs, however, 
Bx. 8, as in this species, are usually 
red, and more or less variegated with black and white. 
Our largest species, P. pedalis, also an enemy of 
Clisiocampa, has the legs red, with the exception of 
the hinder tibiz and tarsi, which are black, while P. 
pterelas, which can be bred in large numbers from 
pods of iris infested by the beetle Mononychus vulpeculus, has its legs entirely 
red. A very closely allied species P. annulipes (Figure 34) is said to be a parasite 
of Carpocapsa pomonella, the Codling moth, whose larvee do such enormous 
damage to our apples. 
Differing from Pimplas chiefly in colour are two yellow species belonging to: 
the genus Theronia. In Victoria, B.C., in May, 1888, I observed 7. fulvescens to 
be very abundant and as it is a parasite of the western Tent-caterpillar, which 
was then in immense numbers, I have no donbt that the insects were then 
engaged in the good work of depositing their eggs in the obnoxious caterpillars. 
The species which occurs here is called Theronia melanocephala from its black 
head, and I have bred it from cocoons of Halesidota maculata. 
The sub-family contains many other genera, some of which, as Xorides, 
Xylonomus, Ecthrus and Odontomerus, include large handsome species. 
Fic. 34. 
STEPHANIDH.—This family only contains two genera, and the: American 
species described are only four in number. They are rare in collections, and none 
are yet reported from Canada I think. In appearance they much resemble some 
species of the next family, and having long ovipositors are probably parasites of 
wood-borers. 
Braconip&.—The described species of this family are not so numerous as 
those of the ichneumonide, nor are they so large, but they include many inter- 
esting forms, and many of great use in keeping down noxious insects. The 
braconids are distinguished from the ichneumonids by the venation of the 
anterior wings, which lack the cross-vein known as the second recurrent nervure. 
On examining the wing of Cryptus, for instance, (see Fig. 29) there is seen just 
below the areolet (or little pentagonal cell) a cross-vein, but if the wing of a 
Bracon (see Fig. 35) is examined it will readily be seen that there is no trace of 
a corresponding cross-vein. In the braconids also (except in one small section) 
the second and third segments of the abdomen are rigidly connected, instead of 
being flexibly jointed. They are separated into five divisions, which are further 
divided into sub-families. 
Cyciostomi.—In this division the clypeus (or portion of face just above the 
mouth) is emarginate, thus forming a semi-circular opening above the mandibles 
or jaws. There are nine sub-families, but the majority of the species are con- 
tained in the genera Bracon and Rhogas. 
