188 INSECTS AFFECTING THE ORANGE 



Parasites. This wasp, in common with many other cell-making Hy- 

 menoptera, has an enemy which destroys the grub and occupies its 

 place within the cell, issuing in its stead through a round hole made in 

 its side. This parasite is a brassy-green Cuckoo-bee belonging to the 

 genus Chrysis. It is remarkable for its bright metallic green or blue 

 color, hard texture, and coarsely pitted surface, and the peculiar form 

 of the abdomen, which is abruptly truncate behind and hollowed from 

 the under side and is capable of folding over upon the head and breast, 

 protecting the members in its hollow under surface, and making of the 

 insect almost a compact ball. This position the insect is apt to assume 

 when captured or disturbed. The perfect insect is ll mm in length 

 (-^Q inch) when fully extended. 17 



Other parasitic Hymenoptera have been bred from the cells of this 

 wasp, but some of them (Braconidce) are parasitic upon the caterpillars 

 stored as food by the wasp, and not upon the young of the wasp itself. 

 The eggs of these parasites existed in the bodies of the caterpillars be- 

 fore they were captured and placed in the cells by the mother wasp, 

 and it is noteworthy that such parasitized caterpillars are not eaten by 

 the wasp-grub; probably because they are soon destroyed by their in- 

 ternal enemy, and their bodies rapidly become too hard and tough for 

 the weak jaws of the wasp-grab. It is also to be remarked that the 

 poisoned sting of the wasp while paralyzing the caterpillar, does no in- 

 jury to its internal parasite, but the latter completes its transformations 

 as well shut up within the tightly sealed cell of the wasp as under nor- 

 mal conditions in the open air. The parasite fly, having cut its way 

 out of the hardened skin of the caterpillar, finds itself still inclosed 

 within the wasp cell, the walls of which it is unable to penetrate, and 

 it therefore remains imprisoned until released by the exit of the wasp, 

 for the presence of the caterpillar parasite in its cell in no way inter- 

 feres with, the transformations of the latter. 



THE CAMEL-CRICKETS OB SOOTHSAYERS. 



These are large insects, with attenuated bodies and long, slender 

 legs, the first pair of which are elbowed and provided with sharp spines 

 and hooks for capturing and holding their prey. The latter consists of 

 insects of any sort, not protected by too hard a shell or other covering, 

 but chiefly of flies and soft-bodied active larvaB. The camel- crickets do 

 not molest Bark-lice, or other sedentary insects, and do not prowl about 

 or spy into hidden places in search of food, but lie in wait for their 

 prey, taking only that which comes within their reach; or they creep 

 cautiously and slowly upon any small moving object which their keen 

 and watchful eyes discover in their vicinity. When within reach of 

 their prey, they seize it with the rapidity of lightning, and hold the. 

 struggling victim firmly clasped between the spines and grappling 

 hooks of their fore legs. \ *' v 



