. Injurious and useful insects; an introduction to the study of economic entomology. Insects; Beneficial insects; Insect pests. THE WOOD-WASP 99 21. THE WOOD-WASP {Sirex) The wood-wasp of fir-trees, though very common in northern Continental countries, is only met with now and then in England. A large wasp-like fly, an inch-and-a-half long, which hums as it flies, and is armed with what looks like a terrible sting, is perhaps discovered in some house or shop, captured by the boldest man about, and sent to the local naturalist for examination. Some disappointment follows upon his report that th
. Injurious and useful insects; an introduction to the study of economic entomology. Insects; Beneficial insects; Insect pests. THE WOOD-WASP 99 21. THE WOOD-WASP {Sirex) The wood-wasp of fir-trees, though very common in northern Continental countries, is only met with now and then in England. A large wasp-like fly, an inch-and-a-half long, which hums as it flies, and is armed with what looks like a terrible sting, is perhaps discovered in some house or shop, captured by the boldest man about, and sent to the local naturalist for examination. Some disappointment follows upon his report that the insect is not a hornet, that it has no sting, and that, though capable enough of mischief, it never wounds man or any other animal. In its early stages it dwells in fir-trees. The egg is laid in timber, standing or felled. The larval Sirex de- vours the wood, run- ning long, winding galleries along the trunk; it pupates within the tree, and finally emerges in the winged form, to per- petuate the race. Sirex only shows itself in England casually, but it often appears many at a time, and does much harm. It is not unlikely that our attacks are due to recent importations of live insects from the Continent. Wood containing larvse may be stored and even cut up without hindering the de- velopment of one or more wood-wasps, which may, perhaps, give rise to a local infestation. The fly wears the colours of a wasp, black and gold, but has not the narrow waist, nor yet the sting of a true wasp. It has four membranous wings, and biting mouth-parts. Since it undergoes complete transformation, and does not exhibit. Fig. 60.—Female wood-wasp (S. gigas). Natural Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Miall, Louis Compton, 1842-. London, G. Bell & sons
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksubjectinsects, bookyear1902
