ICHNEUMONID^E. 
177 
laying her eggs. Chalcis criculce, Kohl. (fig. 88) is recorded as a parasite of 
Cricula trifenestrata, Mo. a Saturniid Moth. (I. M. N. I., pi. V). C. euplcece, 
Ho., is also recorded as a caterpillar parasite. The number and impor¬ 
tance of Chalcidce , like the other Hymenoptera Parasitica, cannot easily 
be estimated. There are probably an enormous number of species in 
India, some widespread, many probably confined to this area. To the 
systematist as to the biologist they offer a wide field of research, and it 
is to be hoped that a really thorough investigation into the economy 
of at least one species may be made, as well as an investigation into the 
identity and hosts of our common crop pest-destroying species. 
IcHNEUMONID^E. 
Wings with two recurrent nervures and two or three cubital 
cells. Antennae not elbowed. 
This is a very large group of insects, clearly separate from Chalcidce by 
the greater number of veins and cells, from Braconidce by the venation. 
They are, as a rule, larger insects, the antennse not elbowed, the legs 
moderately long, the body slender. The female has an ovipositor 
which is often long and conspicuous; males are destitute of any 
ovipositor or similar organ and are generally similar to the females. 
The colours are mainly warning, black and yellow, reddish yellow and 
similar bright colours predominating. 
The Ichneumonidce are a very large family, with a great number of 
species. These species are of limited distribution, confined to distinct 
Fir. 92— PlMPLA PREDATOR, FABR. X 2 
areas and the Indian forms are, so 
far as known, confined to this geo¬ 
graphical region. The number of 
described Indian species is over 200 
but most are from the hills and but 
few have been reared. 
Limnerium sp. has been reared 
from the larva of a Plusia. Pimpla 
punctator, L., is a common insect, 
yellow with black markings, bred 
from several of the wild silk produ¬ 
cing insects ( Saturniidce ). P. pre¬ 
dator , F., was reared from Scirpophaga auriflua, Zell. (I. M. N. V., p. 178-) 
IXL 
12 
