174 



ENTOMOLOGY. 



cells with locusts, grasshoppers, etc. Larrada semirufa Cresson 

 preys on young locusts. 



Family Bembecidae. The labrum in this family is distinct, ex- 

 serted, and sometimes long and beak-like. Stizus speciosus Say 



FIG. 223. Sand-wasp, Sphex ichneumonea. Natural size. 



preys on the Cicada; the species of Bernbex seize flies, bearing them 

 to their nests; our common species is Bembex fasciata Fabr. 



Family Nyssonidse. Labrum short, either not or scarcely exserted. 

 Nysson lateralis Say; Gorytes flavicornis Harris. These sand-wasps 

 prey on flies, Tettigouise, etc. 



Family Philantbidae In these wasps the prothorax is very short, 

 transverse, not extending back to the tegulae; the fore wings have 



FIG. 224. Larrada grasping a young locust, and about to sting it. 

 three complete sub-marginal cells, and the abdomen is either sessile 

 or sub-sessile. Philanthus vertilabru Say; Cerceris deserta Say. 

 These wasps provision their nests with the grubs of weevils and 

 Buprestids, and adult beetles, as well as honey-bees. 



