TENTHREDINIDvE, OR SAW-FLIES. 



167 



other insects stored up for them, or upon fluids collected by the 

 neuters ; and the MELLIFERA, in which the larvae feed upon 

 honey or pollen-paste, collected and stored up for them. All 

 these have characteristic distinctions in their adult form ; on 

 which it would not be accordant with the character of this work 

 to dwell minutely. The division of the Order into sections may 

 be better understood from the following tabular arrangement of 



them : 



(Larva vegetable- 



.l feeders I. SECURIFERA. 



' Larvae parasitic II. ENTOMOPHAGA. 

 f Predaceous in habits III. PR^EDONES. 

 (Honey -collectors IV. MELLIFERA. 



Armed with sting ACULEATA 



753. Section I. TEREBRANTIA SECURIFERA. The principal 

 family of this section is that of TENTHREDINID^E, or Saw-flies, so 

 named from the saw-like character and action of the ovipositor. 

 With this instrument they make a succession of small holes in 



the branches or other 

 parts of trees, into each 

 of which they insert an 

 egg, closing the hole 

 with a drop of frothy 

 fluid. The tissue in 

 the neighbourhood of 

 the wound swells up 

 from its irritation ; 

 and sometimes be- 

 comes a kind of gall, 

 either woody or pulpy, 

 according to the parts 

 injured, which forms 

 the abode of the 

 larva in some cases, during its whole life as such, and up to its 

 (final metamorphosis ; but in general the larva? come forth at an 

 Earlier period, and feed upon the exterior of the leaves. They 

 greatly resemble the Caterpillars of Lepidopterous insects ; but 

 usually differ from them as to the number of their feet, which are 

 either restricted to six, answering to those of the perfect insect, 

 or amount to eighteen or twenty-two. In order to undergo their 



FIG. 484. A, extremity of the abdomen of the Saw-fly, 

 showing the two saws, c, and their supporters, d, ex- 

 tended ; , the terminal joint of the abdomen ; and b, 

 the two internal horny sheaths. B, a small portion of 

 one of the saws very highly magnified. 



