187 



CHAPTER XV. 



HYMENOPTERA. ACULEATA. 



THE second section of Hymenoptera, ACULEATA, derives 

 its name from the character of the ovipositor. This, 

 aculeate, or needle-like, as it appears, is but one more 

 modification of the same parts as are found throughout 

 the other section of the Hymenoptera, consisting prin- 

 cipally of two fine serrated bristles, enclosed in the 

 horny duct which gives the name of aculeus to the 

 instrument. In this tribe, however, the ovipositor is 

 connected with a bag of poison, and to this peculiarity 

 it owes the especial name of sting. 



To HYMENOPTERA ACULEATA, then, belong all the 

 true stinging insects, Ants, Wasps, and Bees. 



The Section ACULEATA is divided into two Sub- 

 sections, named from the habits of the insects (1) 

 PR^DONES, or the Rapacious, (2) ANTROPHILA, or the 

 Flower-loving Hymenoptera. 



The PR^EDONES consists of the Ants, Sandwasps, 

 and true Wasps. 



The ANTHOPHILA consists of Fig> 52 



the Bees. 



The insects belonging to 

 these two Subsections may be 

 distinguished by the legs. In 

 the Prffidones, the first or basal 

 joint of the hind tarsus (fig. 

 52, a) is cylindrical, while in the Was P' s Hinc 

 Anthophila, it is enlarged, and more or less flattened. 



