4 W. Dzvight Pierce 



All three of these families are peculiar because of their para- 

 sitic habits. Meloidae and Rhipiphoridae are parasitic on Or- 

 thoptera and Hymenoptera, Stylopidae on Hymenoptera and 

 Homoptera. 



Among- the Meloidae those parasitic on Orthoptera seem to be 

 the highest. Epicauta, Macvobasis. Myiabis, and Hcnous in 

 the adults show as a rule entire elytra. In the triungulins they 

 have large, powerful, toothed mandibles and maxillae, and spined 

 legs. They live on the eggs and young of grasshoppers, which 

 they must reach by active burrowing in the ground. They are 

 their own agents in transmission to the host. 



Cantharis, Meloe, A pal us. Sitaris, and Horuia show increased 

 degeneracy in the adults, to the complete loss of the wings and 

 almost entire reduction of the elytra in Hornia. In the triun- 

 gulins also may be noticed increasing degeneracy. These genera 

 and Horia, Leonidia, Zouitis, and Tetraonyx are known to be 

 parasitic on Hymenoptera. The larvae are conveyed, however, 

 to the host by some other insect — that is. they are passively con- 

 veyed. Their feet are specialized for clinging, not digging. 

 Their food is generally honey, hence the mouth-parts are reduced. 

 The Rhipiphoridae probably belong to a parallel line of descent. 

 The Evaniocerini are the highest in development ; their habits 

 are not known. The Rhipiphorini and Myoditini are known to 

 be Hymenopterous parasites. In the latter at least it is known 

 that the transference to the host is passive. The Rhipidiini are 

 very degenerate. The oral organs are atrophied ; the elytra 

 short, dehiscent : the wings not folded : the female is larviform, 

 without elytra or wings. Rhipidius is a parasite of Blattidae. 



The Stylopidae seem very close to Rhipidius, having the oral 

 organs atrophied; elytra reduced, wings very simple: the female 

 being larviform. wingless, legless. Like Rhipidius, the eyes are 

 very large and prominent. 



There is an increase in ventral segments from five in 

 Evaniocerini to eight in Rhipidius and sometimes nine in Styl- 

 opidae. Stylopidae have lost the tarsal claws in the adult. In 

 the larvae, Rliipiphorus. Myoditcs. and Xenos have the feet slen- 

 der, terminated with a pad or sucker. Rhipiphorus has in addi- 



