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Fam. Evanidae.. (PI. IV Fig. 51). Very distinct. Abdomen fixed to thorax
on the dorsal side on the median segment by a thin petiole. Antennae thin
straight, 13 segments. About 300 species known, about 50 in India, only 3-
4 in Maharashtra. The original 3 genera take the status of families now but
here they are treated as 3 genera.
Evania most common, parasitise eggs of cockroaches, enter houses,
steamers etc. for the purpose. Trichofaenus parasitic on aphids or
Sphecids.
Fam. Chalcidoidae. Antennae elbowed, 2 jointed trochanter, wings with
one or two veins, no stigma or closed cells. Abdomen hard, no folds.
Ovipositor attached a little above anal end. Generally black, often
iridescent. Head large, thorax compact, femur often swollen.
Now divided into 14-18 families, only 2 or 3 represented in Maharashtra
and only a few species. Almost all parasitic on eggs, larvae, pupae of other
insects, including Hymenoptera. Some hyper- parasites. Some found in
galls as parasites, some live in galllike structures in figs etc. The following
Chalcididae is part of this.
Fam. Chalcididae. (PL IV, Fig. 52) L. bombayensis. Black, spotted and
striped white, legs brownish red. L. 5-6 mm. O, nursei. Black, shining,
legs yellow and black, silvery pubescence. L. 5 mm.
Fam. Elasmidae. E. anticles. Elongate, 7-8 mm., abdomen flat, wings
narrow, hyaline.
Fam. Trichogrammatidae. Attack eggs of Lepidoptera.
Fam. Bethyloidae including Chrysididae (Cuckoo wasps). Only the latter
represented in Maharashtra. Brilliantly metallic green, blue or ruby.
Integument hard, coarsely sculptured, abdomen flexible, generally carved
below thorax. When touched or attacked form a ball or thick ring, wings
FAUNA 461