180 MODERN CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 
dently showing its object to be to deposit its eggs therein). It is 
probable that it only then deposits a single egg, as generally a single 
larva of the Parnopes is only found, and which is engaged at the be- 
ginning of the spring in sucking the larva of the Bembex, upon the 
back of which it has fastened itself. 
These insects are extremely interesting in regard to their relations 
with the other tribes of Hymenopterous insects, being, as Latreille 
observes (Consid. Génér. p.76.), “sur les confins des deux sections ” 
[ Terebrantia and Aculeata]. Mr. MacLeay considered them as allied 
to some splendid parasitic and exotic bees (Hore Entomol. part 2. 
p- 429.) ; and hence Mr. Stephens arranged them after the bees, suc- 
ceeded by the Chalcidida, &c. which are supposed to be most nearly 
allied to the Strepsiptera; and Mr. Curtis (Brit. Ent. fo. 724. Jan. 
1839) considers that Cleptes, in the minute size of the labrum, forms 
the link between this family and such species of Chalcididze [still mis- 
named Cynipide by Curtis] as have the labrum distinct, although 
small; (Chalcis [Smiera] and Perilampus) ; and he further states that 
he has lately received a most remarkable metallic bee from America, 
which will prove, he expects, that there exists a strong affinity be- 
tween the Andrenide and Chrysidide. 
It is not indeed improbable that a close relation may exist between 
these insects and some of the parasitic bees; and indeed Parnopes, in 
the structure of its maxillz and labium (fig. 79. 14.), and almost 
obsolete palpi, seems to confirm this; but I agree with Latreille in 
thinking Cleptes allied to Bethylus, and with Shuckard in considering 
them as related to Tiphia, Meria, &c.: indeed, the Epyris aurichalcea 
of Klug’s MSS. from Cuba, and E. Carcelii Westw., a remarkable 
insect in the collection of M. Serville, brought from Palestine by the 
late M. Carcel, evidently confirm this relation. 
The second general section of the Hymenoptera, corresponding with 
the ACULEATA of Latreille, the H. Ovitithers of St. Fargeau, and 
H. Monotrocha of Hartig, is distinguished by the females (and neu- 
ters * of such species as live in society) having the organ of oviposi- 
* It is now generally admitted that these neuters (as they have been miscalled), 
both amongst the bees, wasps, and ants, are individuals of the female sex, which, 
from the peculiar manner in which they are nourished, become abortive, and acquire 
habits totally dissimilar from those of the true females. This has long been known 
to be the case with the bees; the neuters possessing the power, when deprived of 
their female (or queen), of transforming a larva into a queen, which, under ordinary 
circumstances, would have produced a neuter bee, or worker; and Huber, the 
