0-48 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



described families in the Sphegoidea, by having the abdomen distinctly 

 petiolated, and the totally different habitus. 



In having a petiolate abdomen it agrees with the family Anipulicidce, 

 but otherwise it is quite distinct, and is readily separated from it by the 

 normally shaped mesosternum, which is never produced posteriorly into 

 a forked process, and by the clypeus not being produced posteriorly 

 between the antennae, the latter being always inserted above the base of 

 the clypeus. 



The family, as here restricted, may be separated into four natural 

 groups, which I have designated as subfamilies, and which may be recog- 

 nized by the use of the following table : 



Table of Subfamilies. 



Second cubital cell receiving both recurrent nervures, or the second 

 recurrent nervure is interstitial with the second transverse cubitus, 

 although sometimes the first recurrent is interstitial with the first 

 transverse cubitus, or then received by the first cubital cell ; tibins 



either spinous or entirely smooth without spines 2. 



Second cubital cell receiving only one recurrent nervure — the first ; 

 second recurrent nervure received by the third cubital cell, or at least 

 beyond the second transverse cubitus ; very rarely are both recurrent 

 nervures received by the first cubital cell (Neosphex, Reed, = Pseudo- 

 sphex, Tischb.). 



Antennae inserted on the middle of the face ; claws with i to 5 teeth 

 beneath ; tibiae strongly spinous, or at least never with weak or 

 feeble spines ; tarsal comb in $ always present ; cubitus in hind 

 wings most frequently interstitial, or nearly, with the transverse 



median nervure ; head transverse Subfamily 1., Spheginje. 



Antennie inserted far anterior to the middle of the face ; claws simple, 



without teeth, or at most with a single small tooth near the 



middle ; tibiae smooth, not spinous ; tarsal comb in $ never 



present; cubitus in hind wings interstitial. .Subfamily IV., Podiinae. 



2. Claws simple, without a tooth beneath ; tibiae more or less spinous ; 



tarsal comb in 9 present ; abdomen most frequently very elongate, 



the petiole composed oi 2 joints, rarely with only i Joint ; cubitus in 



hind wings usually originating beyond the transverse median 



nervure Subfamily II., Ammophilinas. 



