CALICTJEGUS.— PEPSIS. 215 



CALICUKGUS. 



Calicurgus, Lepeletier de St.-Fargeau, Hist. Nat. des Ins. Hymen, iii. p. 397 (1845). 



1. Calicurgus rhodogaster. 



Calicurgus rhodogaster, Kohl, Verh. zool.-bot. Ges. Wien, xxxvi. p. 343 \ 

 Hab. Mexico, Orizaba (BilimeJc 1 ). — South America, Brazil 1 , 



K PEPSIS. 

 Pepsis, Fabricius, Syst. Piez. p. 207 (1804). 



This genus contains the largest and most striking forms of Pompilidae. The species 

 from their similarity in structure, form, and colouring are not easily separated. In 

 this latter respect we find two types — one with the wings fiery-red, the other with the 

 wings violaceous ; and in both we have species with the antennse orange, and species 

 with the antennse black. We have, in fact, the same types of coloration as in the 

 larger Salius (Hemipepsis). The coloration of the wings is produced mainly by the 

 presence of minute scales. 



i. Wings for the greater part fiery-red or fulvous. (Species 1-11.) 

 a. Antennae with the flagellum yellowish. (Species 1-7.) 



^ 1. Pepsis optima. 



Pepsis optimus, Smith, Descr. of New Species of Hymen, p. 157 (1879) \ 



Hab. Costarica, Volcan de Irazu 6000 to 7000 feet 1 , Eio Sucio 1 (Bogers) ; Panama, 

 Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet (Champion), Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion). 



The largest species of the section, and known from the others by the apex of the 

 wings not being clouded. The labrum is closely punctured ; the scape of the antennse 

 bears a few black hairs ; the mesothorax is sparsely, the median segment very densely, 

 covered with black hairs ; the median segment with a blunt tooth at the base and 

 apex, not furrowed down the centre, and without a transverse ridge ; the mesopleurse 

 not tuberculate ; the abdomen has a decided bluish tinge, and has its apex densely 

 covered with long black hairs above ; the head is well developed behind the eyes, but 

 does not bulge out. If anything, the apex of the wings is clearer than the other 

 portion. 



V 2. Pepsis azteca. 



Long. 34 millim. 



Hab. Mexico, Atoyac in Vera Cruz (Schumann). 



Very nearly related to P. optima, but smaller ; the black band at the base of the fore 



