HYMENOPTERA. — CHRYSIDIDE. 179 
The species of the genus Cleptes vary considerably in the colours 
of the opposite sexes, whence the males of the type have been named 
semiauratus, and the females aurata. I have found this insect very 
abundantly in gardens at Chelsea, in July and August, flying over and 
creeping upon the ground and low plants. Of the other British 
species, Saint Fargeau observes, “ J’ai vu le Cleptes nitidule allonger 
beaucoup son tuyau auprés d’une larve de Tenthréde, et le pousser 
vivement contre elle. Quoiqu’il lui etit fallu pour cela recourber son 
abdomen et diriger ce tuyau entre ses pattes en avant de la téte, 
Yopération enticre fut l’affaire d'une seconde.” And in the Encyclo- 
pédie Méthodique (tom. x. p.9.) he adds, “J'ai vu une femelle 
du Clepte semidoré entrer successivement 4 reculons dans les trous 
qu’avoient formés en s’enfoncant en terre un grand nombre de larves 
dune Tenthrédine qui avoient vécu sur unméme groseiller. L’année 
suivante je jouis a cette méme place d’un spectacle fort brillant ; un 
centaine de males et quelques femelles de cette espece, couroient dans 
tous les sens sur le petit espace de terrain ou les larves de Ten- 
thrédine s’etoient cachées, et reflétoient toutes les couleurs des pierres 
précieuses. Ce spectacle se renouvela pour moi plusieurs jours de 
suite de dix a onze heures de matin; ces individus dispersoient apres 
cette heure, et je pense que ceux que je voyois chaque jour étoient 
nouvellement éclos dans cet endroit.” 
The exotic insects of this family are by no means of common oc- 
currence ; indeed, Mr. Swainson, who collected the insects of this 
order assiduously during his travels in Brazil during several years, 
informs me that he discovered only one species of the typical genus 
Chrysis. Some Indian species are very brilliant (Donov. Ins. Ind.), 
as are also those of the genus Stilbum, which is widely dispersed, 
some species being found in Australasia, India, Africa, the South of 
Europe, &c. The genus Parnopes Latr. is remarkable for having 
the maxillz and labium greatly elongated, forming a long and slender 
tongue (fig. 79. 14.), applied beneath the breast ; and the maxillary 
and labial palpi are nearly obsolete and 2-jointed. Latreille (Annales 
du Muséum, tom. xiv., and Bulletin Soc. Philomat. 1811.) and Saint 
Fargeau (Encycl. Méth. tom. x. p. 8. and 497.) have detailed the 
economy of this genus, the type of which is found in France, and 
which deposits its eggs in the nests of Bembex rostrata. According 
to the more recent observations of the last named author, the female 
Parnopes enters backwards into the nest of the Bembex (thus evi- 
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