9 8 



Wood Wasps. 



[may 



various qualities, with the result that much better prices were 

 obtained than would otherwise be possible. It would be a 

 great assistance to the trade if all wools submitted to public 

 auction could be guaranteed free from dockings, locks, and fallen 

 wool, a practice already in vogue at many of the south-country 

 auctions. This would give buyers greater confidence in their 

 purchases, with the result that better prices would be obtained. 



It would be well if farmers would bear in mind these state- 

 ments and pay greater attention to the conditions under which 

 wool is produced, and to the cleanliness and packing of the fleeces. 

 The Board's leaflet, No. 82 {Preparation of Wool for Market) 

 will be sent free of all charge on application to the Secretary, 

 Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, 4, Whitehall Place, S.W. 



The family Siricidce (Uroceridcz), the Wood Wasps or Horn- 

 tails, is one near in relationship to the Saw-flies. The wood 

 wasps differ from the saw-flies (1) in having 

 Wood Wasps. a single spine or spur to the tibiae of the 

 fore-legs ; (2) the ovipositor of the female 

 is different in shape, being modified for boring instead of sawing ; 

 (3) the adults are insects of larger size ; (4) the larvae have no 

 legs other than the three thoracic ones; and (5) the larvae are 

 found tunnelling in the solid wood of trees. 



The adult Siricidce are insects large in size and often with 

 marked colouration. They have cylindrical bodies, and round 

 heads provided with well-marked biting jaws. The two sexes 

 vary in colour and size, the males being generally smaller and 

 more slender ; even in the same species and sex there may be 

 considerable variation in the size and colour of individuals. 



The females are easily recognised by the boring ovipositor 

 projecting from the hind end of the body. This ovipositor is 

 made up of a two-parted sheath enclosing three pieces, an upper 

 portion and two lower parts serrated near the tips ; further, 

 from the tip of the abdomen above the ovipositor there projects 

 a short spine. The females, in spite of their formidable appear- 

 ance, are quite unable to sting. 



Wood wasps can make a loud buzzing sound. I have found 

 the males of ' Sir ex juvencus when kept together very pugnacious, 



