H YMENOP TERA . 



653 



them are among the larger insects of the order. The family 

 includes two quite distinct subfamilies. 



To the Bembecina (Bem-be-ci'nae) belong the smaller 

 forms, which are usually black with greenish 

 or greenish-yellow bands. With these the 

 labrum is longer than the clypeus, forming 

 a triangular beak (Fig. 7/6). They burrow 

 in sand, and provision their nests with flies. 



To the Stizince (Sti-zi'nae) FIG. 77 6. Face of 



, , , Bembex. /, labrum. 



belong the giants of the fam- 

 ily. With these the labrum is shorter than the 

 clypeus (Fig. 777). Our best-known represen- 

 c tative is the Cicada-killer, Spliecius spcciosus 



FIG. 777. Face of 



sphedus. /, labrum. (Sphe'ci-us spe-ci-o'sus). It is a formidable in- 

 sect, measuring one and one fourth inches in length. It is 

 black, sometimes of a rusty color, and has the abdomen 

 banded with yellow (Fig. 778). It digs burrows in the earth, 



FlG. 778. Sphedus speciosus. 



two feet or more in depth, and provisions each with a Cica- 

 da. Many a Cicada-song has been suddenly silenced because 

 the singer was pounced upon and carried off alive but help- 

 less to be buried in the den of this fierce, handsome insect 

 of prey, 



