Economic entomology for the farmer Economic entomology for the economicentomolo00smit_0 Year: 1896 AN ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY. are yet unknown to us. It is believed to be parasitic, but upon what sorts of species no one has yet discovered. The remainder of the order has been roughly classed as Aculeate^ or ' stinging' forms, the majority of the species being provided with an ovipositor modified into a sting like that of the bee, having connected with it a more or less well-developed poison-sac. From the fact that the sting is a modified ovipos- itor, or egg-laying tube, it follows that i
Economic entomology for the farmer Economic entomology for the economicentomolo00smit_0 Year: 1896 AN ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY. are yet unknown to us. It is believed to be parasitic, but upon what sorts of species no one has yet discovered. The remainder of the order has been roughly classed as Aculeate^ or ' stinging' forms, the majority of the species being provided with an ovipositor modified into a sting like that of the bee, having connected with it a more or less well-developed poison-sac. From the fact that the sting is a modified ovipos- itor, or egg-laying tube, it follows that it can be found in the female only; hence the males of bees and wasps of all kinds have not the power of stinging, and may be safely handled. The use of the sting varies in the different families, and this subject will be further spoken of. One little group is separated off under the title ' Tubulifera,' and contains the single family ChrysididcB, bees of a brilliant metallic blue and green, deeply punctured or pitted, and, as a whole, of rather robust build. They are Fig. 449. among the most beautiful of all the Hy- fnenoptera^ are of fair size, and are peculiar in the structure of the abdomen, which is telescopic. From three to five segments only are visible, the others being re- tracted, but capable of a tube-like exten- sion, at the end of which the minute sting is situated. They have been called 'cuckoo-bees' from their habit of laying eggs in the nests of other solitary bees and wasps. The larva is supposed to hatch before the true owner of the food supply, and to devour the store, leaving the other hapless baby to starve to death. Eco- nomically, the species are of no importance, save as they form a check to the increase of certain other bees and wasps. Few insects are better known to the average observer than the ants that are found everywhere : in our houses, in fields, in woods, in the ground, under stones, in trees, in roots, and in all other likely and unlikely place
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