246 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, 'l2 



of closing its burrow, which was vertical with an enlarged 

 cup-shaped mouth. The hole, about six inches deep, was partly 

 filled with sand-clay, and Ammophila was seen pressing- the 

 dirt down in the cup, using as a tool the tibia and tarsus of a 

 small Acridiid (Melanoplusf). After this tamping- work was 

 over, she placed a lump of dry earth and a small piece of lizard 

 excrement in the depression. We dug out the burrow and at 

 the bottom of it found a Notodontid larva with an oblong egg 

 on its side. 



Chlorion caeruleum Drury. 



This large and handsome steel-blue wasp was not uncommon 

 in Northwestern Kansas, though little was ascertained con- 

 cerning its habits. 



In Cheyenne County they were seen congregated in some 

 numbers on the branches of an old willow tree. Their attrac- 

 tion to the latter lay in the exudation from some of its limbs, 

 which was evidently caused by borers. A lepidopteron (Saty- 

 rus}, a fly (Tabanus atratus), some Polistes, and the large ci- 

 cada-killer (Stisus speciosus) were likewise attracted to the 

 exudation, and it was amusing to watch the quarrelsome 

 Chlorions annoy their larger neighbor (Stisus). Frequently 

 the latter, desirous of alighting on a choice spot, would be pre- 

 vented from doing so by a Chlorion running up to the place. 

 The Chlorions likewise quarreled among themselves to a con- 

 siderable extent, and in the ensuing struggle would often fall 

 nearly to the ground. A Stisus engaged in lapping up the exu- 

 dation would be nipped at from behind by the active Sphecid, 

 and in one instance the latter was seen to seize the Cicada- 

 killer in its mandibles and lift it into the air ; both then fell to 

 the ground, but the short struggle did not appear harmful to 

 either combatant. An annoyed Stisus speciosus would to some 

 extent keep its tormentor at a distance by the threatening mo- 

 tion of its abdomen and sting. 



In another portion of the valley, this species was plentiful 

 about slender willows, feeding at the sap exuding from the 

 thickened stems, the flow of sap being produced by a beetle 



