Tue HyMENopPTERA OF MINNESOTA 167 
STEPHANIDAE 
Second and third tergites not fused. All known forms winged. Wings with a 
distinct costal cell, i. e., with four cells running to base of wings. Frontal line longer 
than clypeo-antennal line, or antennae inserted below middle of face; second divi- 
sion of dorsum of abdomen with 
only one pair of spiracles; pro- 
podeum hardly extending be- 
yond base of coxae, upper edge 
of hind coxal sockets or coxal 
line close to lower edge of ab- 
dominal soeket or abdominal 
line; mesothorax as in Alysii- 
dae. 
All rare insects; but lit- 
tle known of their habits. 
Ashmead says (Proc. U. 
Sy Nats Muss) Volk Xue: 
149) “The cephalic and 
venational characters of 
this curious group recall 
those to be found in the 
family Oryssidae, and I 
can not help but think the 
two families, in ages past, 
had a common ancestry.” 
Fig. 48. Chelonus sericeus Say, a Braconid. 
BANCHIDAE 
Second and third tergites not fused. Wings without a distinct costal cell, ie., 
with but three cells running to base of wing. Spiracles of first and second dorsal 
segments in or before middle. Fore wings with two recurrent veins, the first repre- 
sented by the cubito discoidal vein, first abscissa of cubitus wanting; frontal line 
shorter than clypeo-antennal line; second division of dorsum of abdomen and propo- 
dem as in Stephanidae. 
The genus Banchus is represented in Minnesota. 
BRACONIDAE 
Fore wings with one or two recurrent veins: edges of fused second and third 
dorsal abdominal segments may or may not meet beneath. First abscissa of cubitus 
wanting or present. Caterpillars are often found more or less covered by tiny white 
cocoons of Braconid parasites, the adult larvae having left the cocoons of their host 
and spun their cocoons on the surface of the body of their dying victim. 
Several hundred species are known to occur in this family, for the 
most part highly colored. The larvae are parasitic in (rarely on) the 
bodies of larvae or of pupae of other insects. They have also been 
reared from the imagoes. One species is known to attack ants (there 
are but few Hymenopterous parasites on Formicids.) Of insect in- 
ternal parasites, it may be said that the victim is not eaten, the parasite 
feeding on the lymph within the body either by means of its mouth or 
