HYMENOPTERA. — CHRYSIDIDE. 177 
the splendour of its coat of mail*; whilst C. bidentata frequents the 
burrowing places of Epipone spinipes, in company with that insect, 
especially on Barnes Common; whereas, were it the object of the 
Chrysis to deposit its eggs in the larve of those insects (which of 
course would not be produced until some time afterwards), the appear- 
ance of the two insects in the perfect state would not be simultaneous. 
Dahlbom describes the larvee of this family as somewhat resembling 
worms, and destitute of feet (vercit. Hymenopt. p. 21.). Iam in- 
debted to Mr. E. Rudder for some particulars relative to the common 
species of Chrysis, which that gentleman reared from larvee found in 
cells filled with Aphides, formed in the pith of an elder twig stuck into 
the ground. In this case, I apprehend, the nests were those of a 
species of Pemphredon, or some allied genus, and the Chrysis was 
parasitical in the nest: the mode in which the larva fed upon the 
Aphides (of which there were at least sixty in each cell) was ob- 
served by him; but it might certainly have been the larva of the 
maker of the nest which was thus occupied. 
Mr. G. R. Waterhouse has also informed me that, in December, 
1827, he found, in digging into a rotten post which had holes in it, at 
Coombe, several specimens of Chrysis ignita in the burrows; and on 
digging further he discovered a continuance of the burrow, in which 
were several cells filled with the skins of Aphides, no larva or pupa 
being present ; so that it is not improbable that the Chrysides had been 
reared in these cells. De Geer discovered one of the species of this 
genus —his C. micans—in a resinous gall formed upon the pine; whence 
he was led to believe that its larvahad been parasitic upon the caterpillar, 
which had been inclosed within it, because he found at the bottom of 
the hollow interior of the gall an empty cocoon, formed of a loose web 
of silk (which the Chrysis had pierced in order to make its escape), 
and also the exuvie of the caterpillar which had disappeared. A corre- 
spondent of the Hntomological Magazine (J. B. No. 25. p. 477.) 
reared specimens of C. bidentata and neglecta, in company with soli- 
tary wasps, from cells found in the earth, attached to the stump of a 
tree. Another correspondent of the same Magazine (Delta) asserts 
that Chrysis cyanea deposits her eggs in the cells of Chelostoma 
* Latreille informs us that he had observed Chrysis ignita lurking about the cells 
of Philanthus apivorus, in order to deposit eggs in the nest of the latter, which, after 
perceiving the design of the Chrysis, chased it away. (Mon. Fourmis, p. 320.) 
Walckenaer states that the same species enters the burrows of Cerceris ornata, which 
are stored with a supply of a species of Halictus. (Mém. Halictus, p. 42.) 
VOL. II. N 
