174 The Ottawa Naturalist. 



FAUNA OTTAWAENSIS. 

 Hymenoptera Parasitica — Proctotrypid/e. 



By W. IlACiUF. Hakkin(;ton, F.R.S.C, Ottawa. 



The species of parasitic hymcnoptera are exceedingly num- 

 erous and require much time both to collect and study. The in- 

 sects very often so closely resemble others that their satisfactory 

 determination is difficult and for these reasons, while material 

 has been steadily accumulated, it has not hitherto been possible 

 to publish any lists of the hundreds of species contained in our 

 cabinets. Last winter I devoted considerable time to the study 

 of the numerous small forms belonging to the family Proctotry- 

 pidrt?, and while the examination is not yet completed, it has 

 enabled me to present the following list. It would perhaps be 

 more satisfactory to longer withhold it, were it not that collec- 

 tions run so many risks of destroyal or damage, and consequent 

 loss of the labour bestowed upon them if records have not been 

 published. Mr. Ashmcad's exhaustive monograph of the North 

 American species of this family, published in 1893 contained 

 descriptions of .some fifty new species from Ottawa; and the 

 present list indicates several new species showing that our present 

 knowledge is still limited. Many additions will undoubtedly be 

 fnade, and the life-histories of many are yet unknown to us. 

 The list indicates, usually, the localities in which specimens were 

 captured, and the dates of appearance. The majority of the 

 species have been captured with the sweeping net, but. a con- 

 siderable number have occurred in moss, collected late in the 

 year, and a few have been bred. Where no remarks follow a 

 species, the only examples taken were those sent to Mr. 

 Ashmead, to whose assistance I am much indebted. 

 PROCTOTRYPID^. 

 Subfamily I. Bethylin^. 

 Isobrachium myrmecophilum Ashiit. Male ; Race-course, 22 Aug. 



Mesitius bifoveolatus .^4jA;«. Female; II May. 



Anoxus Chitteiidenii Ashm. Male ; Hull, 22 July. 



