X-ray microanalysis of the ovipositor and mandibles of various hymenopterous insects has revealed the presence in many species of up to 10% wt/wt of either zinc or manganese in the cuticle. These metals appear to be involved in cuticular hardening, so helping to reduce abrasive wear. Zinc is found in the ovipositors of most Siricidae, Stephanoidea, and Chalcidoidea. In Ichneumonoidea and Cynipoidea, the metal involved is manganese. Megalyroidea are unique in the Hymenoptera in having both zinc and manganese in their ovipositors, though in different locations. Except for Bethylidae, no metals were detected in the ovipositors or stings of species that penetrate soft substrates or do not make holes at all. The cutting edge of the mandibles of many insects that chew their way through hard substrates during egress from their pupation sites almost invariably contain high concentrations of zinc, and this is present in many that lack metals in their ovipositor. The phylogenetic and ecological implications of metal occurrence are discussed. 0 1998 The Linnean Society of London ADDITIONAL

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Metal-replete cuticle was characterised by back-scattered electron imaging, secondary ion mass spectrometry, proton induced X-ray emission and SEM-X-ray microanalysis. Each technique was found to have singular advantages and limitations for localising and quantifying metal content. Manganese and zinc were found coincident at the mandibular cutting edge of the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens; these two metals were found in different zones within jaws of the ragworm, Nereis virens; while only manganese was found in the jaws of the termite C. cumulans. Copyright 1997 Academic Press