70 
The larger species of Bracon are usually black, with bright red abdomen, 
dark, smoky wings, and a long ovipositor. They 
may be seen upon dead trees, and are largely para- 
sitic upon the larvae of beetles which infest the 
trees. The larva of the Bracon spins a tough oval 
cocoon, perfectly flat above and below. Such 
cocoons can frequently be found under the bark of 
maple, cedar, ete. in the burrows of the beetles 
upon which the parasites preyed. The smaller 
dipterous and other larve. Fig. 35 shows Bracon 
charus which is said to be a parasite of Chrysobo- 
thris femorata, the flat-headed apple tree-borer. 
The species of Rhogas differ from Bracon in 
having the ovipositor short, the wings transparent, | 
and especially in having the first segments of the 
abdomen carinate. KR. intermedius is a medium 
Fia. 35. sized yellow species which I have frequently bred 
from a handsome caterpillar (A cronycta sp.) 
Many larve live in one caterpillar, which dies from the attack when it is about 
full grown. The victims may frequently be seen exteuded on stems of grass, appar- 
ently at rest, but on closer examination are found to be stiff and hard, and per- 
haps riddled with minute holes from which a score or more of the flies have 
issued. 
CRrYPTOGASTRES.—The species included in this division are easily recognized 
by the form of the abdomen which, instead of consisting of several segments, 
with sutures (or joints) between them, seems to be in one piece. This shield-like 
abdomen, however, consists of the first three segments welded together. It con- 
ceals the ventral segments, and thus gives the name to the division, which con- 
tains the two sub-families, Sigalphinz and Chelonine. 
Fig. 36 shows very clearly the male and female of Sigalphus curculionis, 
which is one of the parasites of the 
plum-curculio. 
AREOLARI.—In this division 
the distinguishing feature is in the 
venation of the wing, in which the 
second submarginal is minute, form- 
ing a small triangular areolet, or often 
imperfect. There are two subfamilies 
as in the preceding division. The 
first includes the well-known genera 
Apanteles and Microgaster ; each con- 
taining many species, which, though Fra. 36. 
small, are of great benefit in holding 
lepidopterous larvae in check. Mr. Howard (in Scudder’s Butterflies of the United 
States and Canada) mentions no less than sixteen species of Apanteles as para- 
sites of butterflies. 
PoLyMorPHI.—This division contains several subfamilies, and includes some 
large species, such as Helcon, but it is almost impossible without illustrations to 
give any satisfactory idea of the numerous genera. Fig. 37 shows, greatly enlarged, 
Macrocentrus delicatus, a parasite of the Codling moth. 
species are reddish or yellowish, and infest | 
