Hi FOSSORES SPHEGIDAE SPHEGIDES IO/ 



Buller has described the habits of a Pompilid in New Zealand ; 

 his account is interesting because it shows a remarkable similarity 

 in the proceedings of this antipodean wasp to those of its con- 

 geners on our own side of the world. The species is not 

 scientifically named, but it appears that it is known in New- 

 Zealand as " the Mason-bee." It forms a nest of yellow clay 

 consisting apparently of about eight cells, each of which is filled 

 with one or more spiders in a paralysed condition. The figure 

 given of the larva of this Insect by Buller shows it to possess a 

 peculiarly formed head. 



It is pleasing to find that Pompilidae do not make use of cruel 

 methods when others will serve their purpose. We are informed 

 that a large Australian Pompilid Priocnemis bicolor may find 

 a Cicada sucking sap from a hole it has pierced in a tree. The 

 Priocnemis has not the art of making the puncture necessary to 

 procure sap, so the wasp seizes the Cicada, and shakes it till 

 it leaves its hold and flies away, when the Priocnemis takes its 

 place and sips the sap. It is added that the wasp never hurts 

 the Cicada. 



Fam. 3. Sphegidae. 



Pronotum free from the tegulae ; ivhen the stigmatic lobes extend as 

 far back as the wing-insertion, they are placed below it and 

 separated by a space from it. 



This large assemblage of Fossores is the one about which the 

 greatest difference of opinion prevails. It is based entirely on 

 the prothoracic characters mentioned above, and cannot be looked 

 on as natural. We shall, however, follow Kohl 1 in treating for 

 the present as only one family the divisions considered by many 

 as distinct families. They are ten in number. 



Sub-Fam. 1. Sphegides. Hind body with a slender pedicel of 

 variable length ; two spurs on the middle tibia. The pro- 

 podeum usually horizontally elongate? 



This group includes a great number of species, about 200 of 

 which are referred to the genus Sphex. 



1 "Die Gattungen der Sphegiden," Ann. Hofmus. Wien. xi. 1896, pp. 233-596. 

 Seven plates. 



2 We will take this opportunity of correcting an error in the explanation of Fig. 

 333 of the preceding volume, showing the propodeum, etc. of Sphex chrysis. f points 

 to a division of the mesonotum, not of the metanotum, as there stated. 



