THE HyMENOPTERA OF MINNESOTA 157 
ORYSSIDAE 
Hind margin of the prono- 
tum strongly curved, dorsu- 
lum extending well beyond 
the fore margins of the teg- 
ulae; metanotum concealed, 
metapostnotum present and 
large; antennae inserted 
much below the apparent 
elypeus; propodeum not di- 
vided; proepimeron wanting; 
fore wings with two cubital 
cells. 
Only one genus oc- 
curs) in. this family, 
Oryssus, of which there 
are but a few rare spe- 
cies: 0. sayi West,. is 
found in Minnesota. 
Fig. 38. Oryssus sayi West. 
SIRICIDAE 
Hind margin of pronotum and mesonotum as in Oryssidae; metanotum always 
present, altho the metapostnotum is sometimes concealed; antennae inserted 
above the clypeus; fore wings with more than two cubital cells; scutel completely 
separated from the mesoscutum by a suture; proepimeron wanting, fore tibiae with 
one apical spur; sheath exserted beyond the tip of the abdomen; cubitus joining the 
basal vein much below the costa; notauli wanting, mesoscutum with oblique sutures 
from the tegulae to the fore margin of the scutel; pronotum large, perpendicular 
anteriorly and angulate laterally ; apex of abdomen with a triangular plate; fore wings 
without an intercostal vein. 
The ovipositor is held projecting backward from the extremity 
of the body. Looks like a powerful sting. It is much longer than it 
appears, as it is attached not 
to apex of body but far forward, 
to the under surface. It consists 
of a pair of elongate sheaths, 
which are easily separable 
though they wrap together and 
enclose a slender tube. This 
tube is rigid and quite straight ; 
tho appearing solid, it is really 
composed of two very per- 
fectly adjusted laminae and a 
third arched piece or roof. The 
two lower laminae are called 
spiculae; they are serrated or 
grooved in a peculiar manner 
Fig. 384. Urocerus albicornis Fab. 
