110 HYMENOPTERA. 



legs and abdomen, and the wings are sometimes slightly dusky at 

 the edges. 



The Cryptince differ from the Ichneumonince in the exserted 

 ovipositor, and also in the position of the spiracles; a large 

 number of species belonging to the genus Pezomachus, Grav., 

 etc., are apterous in one or both sexes, and somewhat resemble 

 ants in appearance. 



In the Pimplince, the first segment of the abdomen is usually 

 straight; and the ovipositor is generally very long. The best 

 known species is Rhyssa Persuasoria, Linn., a black insect, with the 

 thorax, scutellum, and the sides of the long narrow abdomen 

 spotted with pale yellow. It measures about an inch in length, 

 but the ovipositor, which is composed of three long slender bristles, 

 is fully twice as long as the body. This species is met with in 

 fir woods, and uses its extraordinary ovipositor to drill holes in 

 trees infested by the larva of Sirex Gigas, Linn., on which its own 

 larva is parasitic. The insect frequently drives its ovipositor so 

 firmly into the wood that it is unable to withdraw it, and perishes 

 in this position. Other species of Rhyssa very similar to this are 

 found in various parts of the world, one of the largest and hand- 

 somest being R. Antipodum, Smith, a native of New Zealand. Its 

 habits are unknown, but it is not unlikely to feed on the large 

 wood-feeding larvae of the genus Charagia, Walk, (green moths 

 belonging to the family Zeuzeridce), which are common in that 

 country. 



In the Ophionince the antennae are long and slender, as indeed 

 is the whole insect ; and the abdomen is very narrow and com- 

 pressed, and rarely furnished with a prominent ovipositor. 0. 

 Luteus, Fabr., is a common species found over a great part of the 

 world. 



FAMILY VI. Evaniidce. 



Antennae not elbowed beyond the scape, thirteen- or fourteen- 

 jointed ; wings veined, no closed cells on the hind wings ; abdomen 

 attached to the upper part of the metathorax ; ovipositor straight ; 

 habits parasitic. 



The typical genus Evania, Fabr., is found in all parts of the 

 world ; and many of the recorded species are either very closely 

 allied, or not truly distinct. They have probably been introduced 

 into many countries with the cockroaches, on the egg-capsules of 

 which their larvae are parasitic. E. Appendigaster, Linn., is a small 



