One of the best-known species in our own country is Mutilla europæa, which is about half an inch long, of a black colour, hairy, with the thorax entirely red in the wingless females.
Fig. 25.—Mutilla Maura (Female).
This insect frequents the nests of Humble Bees, and its larvæ appear to be parasitic upon the larvæ of the bees.
Section 4.—Heterogyna.
Family 17, Formicidæ.—To this family belongs the numerous species of ants, which are social insects, organised after the fashion of the bees and social wasps.
The number of species described is probably considerably over a thousand, but the total number must be very much greater if Mr. Bates is correct in his estimate that not less than 400 species inhabit the valley of the Amazon.
Fig. 26.—Formica Lignipeda (Male). (Mag.)