. Annual report - Entomological Society of Ontario. Entomological Society of Ontario; Insect pests; Insects. 67. with death those not joining in the ceremony, and then as a further mark of degradation "bury them in a different place, all together in one hole. Of all the Hymenoptera beneficial to the farmer, none bear comparison with the several species of parasitic ichneumon flies, which lay their eggs in the bodies of other insects, in which the grubs live, and from the juices of whose bodies they derive their nour- ishment ; it is curious, too, that these unbidden guests avoid most care
. Annual report - Entomological Society of Ontario. Entomological Society of Ontario; Insect pests; Insects. 67. with death those not joining in the ceremony, and then as a further mark of degradation "bury them in a different place, all together in one hole. Of all the Hymenoptera beneficial to the farmer, none bear comparison with the several species of parasitic ichneumon flies, which lay their eggs in the bodies of other insects, in which the grubs live, and from the juices of whose bodies they derive their nour- ishment ; it is curious, too, that these unbidden guests avoid most carefully all the vital parts of their hosts, and frequently the larvae, with their strange inhabitants, change into pupae before the parasites are evolved. These flies are, as a rule, very characteristic in appearance, and thus easily recognized. Fig. 51 represents one of these parasites (Macroceptrus delicatus), with its long delicate sting, which attacks the codling moth. For the most part they bear a very long ovipositor, with which they insert their eggs into the bodies of the insects which are to form their nursery. The abdomen of this family presents an almost endless variety of forms, w^hich are adapted to the requirements of its (Siief use, viz.: the support of the organs of reproduction. In Pelecinus polycerator, the scorpion fly, the abdomen of the female is long and slender, w^hile that of the male is short and club-shaped. In Rhyssa lunator, the hand- somest of all our ichneumons, the ovipositor of the female produced to the extraordinary length of between three and four inches. It may frequently be found dead upon trees, securely fastened there by this organ, which it has been unable to withdraw after having deposited an egg in the body of some larva lying hidden beneath the bark. The genus Ichneumon proper is one of very great extent and use- fulness. Two of its species are very common, and have been found to be the chief checks upon the multiplication of the dreaded
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, booksubjectinsects, bookyear1872
