SPHEX. 31 



different. It is, however, quite possible that S. erythroptera is identical with S. rufi- 

 pennis, Kohl (nee rufipennis, Y&bv.=luteipennis, Mocsary), a species also known from 

 India and North Africa, and, as Kohl informs me, from Venezuela ; or, at least, a form 

 which cannot be separated from it. Kohl tells me also that the true S. rujipennis, 

 Fabr., differs from the species he has described under that name (Termes. fuzetek, ix. 

 p. 198) in having the postscutellum bituberculate, the antennae thinner, and the wings 

 black at the base. The furrow in the postscutellum varies in width and depth in the 

 specimens from our region, and the wings are sometimes blackish at the base (but not 

 to the same extent as in the form 8. diabolicus, Smith) ; consequently I cannot look 

 upon these characters as altogether satisfactory for separating the two. In view of the 

 fact that the male-armature is so distinct in S. rujipennis, Fabr. (which was first 

 described from India), I have thought that less confusion will be created by giving our 

 species a distinct name, leaving it for further research to decide if it is identical with 

 S. luteipennis, Mocsary. 



^ 3. Sphex beata. (Tab. ill. figg. 2, $ ; 2 a, s .) 



Nigra, femoribus tibiisque anticis rufis, capite, pro- et mesonoto dense aureo-villosis, metanoto dense albo- 



villoso ; alis violaceis. tf $ • 

 Long. 30 millim. 



Hab. Mexico, Temax in North Yucatan (Gaumer); Guatemala, Pantaleon 1700 feet 

 (Champion). 



On the head the golden pile is very dense, except on the centre of the clypeus, and 

 on the vertex and occiput (perhaps rubbed off) ; the pronotum in front is bare, and the 

 centre of the mesonotum also. Eyes parallel, but very slightly converging at the top. 

 Clypeus with some large punctures, the apex rounded, the furrow wide and deep ; basal 

 half of the mandibles reddish, aciculated. Mesonotum slightly depressed towards the 

 apex in the centre, as is also the pronotum ; metanotum opaque, coarsely transversely 

 aciculate, densely covered with a soft, white, woolly pubescence, and slightly depressed 

 in the centre towards the apex. Petiole as long as the hind coxae, sparsely covered 

 with white hair. Apex of the abdomen slightly punctured, and sparsely covered with 

 long hair. 



J 4. Sphex Mrsuta. (Tab. III. figg. 3, $ ; 3 a, 6 .) 

 Sphex hirsutus, Saussure, Reise d. Novara, Hymen, p. 40 ( S ) *• 



Hab. Mexico (Salle), Orizaba \ Cordova x (Sumichrast). 



The female has been captured in Mexico by Salle. It has the mesonotum in the 

 centre and the pleurae less strongly pilose than in the male ; the tegulae rufous (in the 

 male they are more or less blackish) ; the labrum keeled down the centre ; and the 

 mandibles broadly black at the base (this being also the case, but to a less extent, in 

 the male). 



