INSECTS 



200 species occur in Kent, although, as in the case of the Ichneumon- 

 ids, it is very difficult to make an accurate estimate. One of the best 

 known examples of this group is Apanteles glomeratus, L., which destroys 

 the larv£ of the common Garden White Butterfly {Pieris brassicce, L.), 

 and its little yellow cocoons may often be seen around the shrivelled skin 

 of its victim. Agathis mahacearum, Lat., an interesting and somewhat 

 rare species, has occurred at Appledore and near Dover ; it is parasitic 

 on Parasia lapella^ L. Blacus armatulus, Ruthe, has recently been intro- 

 duced into the British list from a specimen taken at Appledore. 



Proctotrypidce. This group includes some of the very smallest 

 insects, and they are either parasitic on small insects or they infest the 

 eggs of larger ones. Several species have been taken in Kent. 



Chalcididce. A great number of small insects are included in this 

 group. Brachymeria Jiavipes, one of the largest of the common species 

 found in the county, is only a quarter of an inch in length. Several of 

 the species are brilliantly metallic, but their beauties can only be seen 

 under the microscope. Certain species of the genus Ptero?»alus occa- 

 sionally swarm on the window panes of dwelling houses at some seasons 

 of the year, principally in the autumn. 



'Evaniida. Although the British representatives of this group number 

 only six, it deserves more than passing notice. These insects may be 

 distinguished from all other Hymenoptera by the fact that the abdomen, 

 which is petiolated, springs from the upper or dorsal surface of the thorax, 

 and this gives them a most striking appearance. Faenus assectator, L., is 

 a common insect at St. Margaret's Bay, where it probably preys on 

 several species of wasps and bees. 



TUBULIFERA 

 CHRYSIDID^ 



This little group of brilliantly coloured insects, popularly known as 

 ' Ruby-tailed Flies,' is well represented in Kent. Chrysis ignita, L., is 

 the commonest and at the same time one of the largest and prettiest of 

 the British species, and it may be met with in all parts of the county, 

 hovering in hot sunshine around brick walls and old palings, its metallic 

 blue-green head and thorax contrasting strikingly with the fiery-red 

 abdomen, which shows a greenish-golden tinge in some lights. The 

 other species are not frequently met with. 



The Chrysididce deposit their eggs in the cells of various Aculeata, 

 and the larvae devour the aculeate larvas. Chrysis ignita, L., attacks 

 several kinds of wasps and bees ; C. viridula, L,, is to be found especially 

 around the burrows of Odynerus spinipes. 



The following species have been recorded from Kent : — 



Cleptes pallipes, Lep. Lewhham (Beaumont) Ellampus auratus, L. Common 

 — nitidula, Fab. Kingsdown, St. Margaret's — caeruleus, Dahlb. ( = violaceus, Scop.). 

 Bay (Sladen) Leiulsham (Beaumont), Beamed (Elgar) 



I 113 15 



