26 
INSECTS. 
Family Be A C0N1DJE. 
The members of this family are very similar in general appearance to those 
of the last, though the differences in the number and form of the cells enclosed 
by the wing-nervures forms an easy distinction. In 
habits the Braconidce are similar to the Ichneumonidce, 
attacking as a rule the larvae of Lepidoptera, although 
they are found as well in those of other insects. Up¬ 
wards of a thousand parasitic grubs of the genus 
Microgaster have been taken from a single caterpillar. 
It must be remembered that the grubs are not in reality 
gnawing at the vitals, but are nourished by the fluids 
circulating through the system. As an example of the 
family, we may take the genus Microgaster, which 
comprises many of the commonest species. The females 
of all, except two which are parasitic on Aphides and 
the eggs of spiders, attack the larvse of Lepidoptera, 
especially those clothed with hair. They are themselves 
the victims of the attacks of a species of Pteromalus — 
a genus of Hymenoptera briefly noted above. 
Other Families. 
In the family Evaniiclce the abdomen is attached 
above the middle of the metanotum, not to its lower 
margin. Among these is the javelin-wasp ( Fcenus 
jaculator), a species parasitical on Hymenoptera which 
breed in old walls. In the typical genus Evania the 
species are believed to be parasitic on the cockroach, 
depositing their eggs in the egg-capsules, and this habit will account for the presence 
of a certain species on board ships, where cockroaches abound. The members of the 
family Chrysididce are not easily mistaken for those of any other, being of moderate 
size, and distinguished by the brilliancy of their colour, not only in the tropics but 
even in temperate climates. The integuments are more or 
less coarsely punctured, and the whole body glistens with 
metallic lustre, golden-yellow, fiery-red, blue, and green, all 
these being as a rule in combination. The perfect insects 
are most numerous in the summer months, and may be 
, , , ^ javelin-wasp, Fcenus jcicula- 
observecl amongst flowers, on decaying timber, old walls, tor (nat. size). 
and other suitable hunting-grounds. The females lay their 
eggs in the nest of the various burrowing Hymenoptera. It is probable that the 
grub devours the store of food garnered for its own progeny by the careful 
mother. Possibly it makes little distinction between the food supply and the 
tissues of the organism nourished by them. The common ruby-tailecl wasps belong 
to this family. 
The golden burnished wasp ( Stilbum splendidum ) is entirely steel-blue or 
Microgaster nemorum, female (en¬ 
larged) ; its larvse are feeding 
upon a large caterpillar (these 
of the nat. size). 
