DESCRIPTION OF A NEW CHALCID, PARASITIC ON MANTIS CAROLINA, Say

Abstract

Podagrion mantis, n. sp.♀. Length .15 inch; ovip., .14 inch. Dull metallic green, finely punctate and sparsely covered with short, whitish pubescence; antennæ and legs dull yellow; flagellum brownish above, all coxæ metallic green, sculptured, posterior ones large, tips of feet black. The posterior femora are greatly swollen as in the Chalcidinæ, armed with about eight large teeth, brown at sides but brassy along upper surface, pubescent, tibiæ greatly curved; abdomen metallic green variegated with brown, compressed and shaped as in the ichneumon genus Ophion; wings hyaline, veins brown, marginal and post-marginal veins long, stigmal vein short, thick.Described from one female specimen bred from egg mass of Mantis carolina Say. This is an interesting discovery, and the first species of the genus to be described in our fauna.