322 INSECTS AT HOME, 



tli'2 hinder legs are very slender, the abdomen has a very short 

 footstalk, and the areolet is not well defined, but is either 

 triangular, or approaching to a circular form. One of these 

 insects, Tryphon rutilator, is drawn on Woodcut XXXI. Fig. 3. 

 The present species is exceedingly variable, but in general 

 the head and thorax are black, and the abdomen dull red in 

 the middle, with a black l)ase and tip. A rather curious cir- 

 cumstance has occasionally happened to one or two species of 

 this genus. The eggs had been extruded — probably by pres- 

 sure when the insect was caught — and remained at the end of 

 the abdomen, where they were hatched. Having no proper 

 food, they commenced feeding on each other. One of the 

 larvae is shown at Fig. a. 



On Plate X. Fig. 3, is seen a very fine Ichneumon-fly, which 

 is called Tragus atropos. In this genus the scutellum is 

 elevated, the head is large and wide, the abdomen is joined to 

 the thorax by a footstalk, is convex, and the ovipositor is not 

 protruded. The colour of this species is black, with the 

 scutellum and the basal half of the abdomen yellow. 



This insect preys upon the caterpillar of the Death's Head 

 INIoth {^Acherontia airopos), one of which is partly shown in 

 the middle of the Plate. Those who rear moths from the 

 caterpillar are too familiarly acquainted with the Ichneumon, 

 for it often happens that, after watching and cherishing a 

 caterpillar until it is full-fed, the creature dies, and from its 

 withering body proceeds the splendid but objectionable Ich- 

 neumon. It is in consequence of choosing this caterpillar 

 that the name of Atropos has been given to the insect. 



Another species of Ichneumon is shown on Woodcut XXXI. 

 Fig. 4, and is called Cfyptus migrator. In this genus the ovi- 

 positor is rather long and protruded. In other respects it agrees 

 with the preceding genus. This is rather a variable species, 

 but in general it is black, with the exception of the abdomen, 

 which is dark-red. It is parasitic on solitary bees, belonging 

 for the most part to the genus Odynerus. The name Cryptus, 

 which signifies hidden, was given to the insects on account of 

 the manner in which they lie hidden in the bodies of their 

 p'-pv until they are developed. This is a very large genus, 

 containing some sixty species. 



