HYMENOPTERA. 419 



FAMILY II. 



PUPIVORA*. 



IN the second family of the Hymenoptera we find the abdomen attached to 

 the thorax by a simple portion of its transversal diameter, and even most 

 frequently by a very small thread or pedicle, in such a manner that its inser- 

 tion is very distinct, and that it moves on that part of the body. The females 

 are provided with an ovipositor. 



The larvae are destitute of feet and mostly parasitical and carnivorous. 



I divide this family into six tribes. 



In the first, that of the EVANIALES, Lat., the wings are veined, and the 

 superior ones, at least, are lobate ; the antenna? filiform or setaceous, and com- 

 posed of thirteen or fourteen joints ; the mandibles dentated on the inner side; 

 the maxillary palpi composed of six joints, and the labials of four. The 

 abdomen is implanted on the thorax, in several under the scuteUum, and has 

 an ovipositor usually salient and formed of three filaments. 



This tribe appears to form but the single genus 



FffiNUS. 



Sometimes the ovipositor is concealed, or but very slightly salient, and 

 resembles a little sting. The ligula is trifid, a character which approximates 

 these insects to the preceding Hymenoptera. 



In the second tribe, that of the ICHNEUMONIDES, the wings are also veined, 

 the superior ones always presenting complete or closed cells in their disk. The 

 abdomen originates between the two posterior legs. The antenna? are 

 generally filiform or setaceous, rarely clavate, vibratile, and multiarticulated, 

 being composed of sixteen joints at least. In most of them the mandibles 

 have no tooth on the inner side, and terminate in a bifid point. The maxillary 

 palpi, always apparent or salient, consist most commonly of but five joints. 

 The ovipositor is formed of three threads. 



This tribe embraces almost the whole genus 



ICHNEUMON, Linnceust. 



These insects destroy the posterity of the Lepidoptera, so noxious to the 

 agriculturist under the form of caterpillars, just as the quadruped so called 

 is said to destroy that of the crocodile by breaking its eggs, and even by 

 introducing itself into the body of the animal in order to devour its entrails. 



* Pupae-eaters. 



f This genus comprises upwards of twelve hundred species, and its study is extremely 

 difficult. 



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