206 KANSAS UNIVERSITY SCIENCE BULLETIN. 



which was quickly pulled into the burrow by the wasp, but 

 here the two remaining flies followed within, and after a very 

 short stay there came out. I examined the orthopteron as soon 

 after this event as possible (probably within two minutes), 

 to discover four very minute fly maggots on and about the 

 larrid's egg. 



In the case where tarsattts entered her burrow without any 

 pause, carrying her prey beneath her, a fly followed her and did 

 not tarry therein for more than a second or two. Failing on 

 one occasion to viviposit on the orthopteron which tarsatiis 

 was dragging within her tunnel, the little tachinid balanced 

 herself on the top edge of the hole and dropped one or more 

 maggots directly in front of the opening. The wasp being 

 within at the time, would, perhaps, in filling up her burrow, 

 throw the maggots, along with some sand, towards the locust. 

 It seems doubtful, however, if these larvse would be able to 

 reach the latter. Rapid as these wasps are, the flies are often 

 able to follow them in their short, lightning-like flights. 



In fining up her tunnel tarsatus occasionally produced a 

 squeaky little buzz. She gets up on the mound of extracted soil 

 and backs into the hole, throwing the earth therein with her 

 fore feet, coming out now and then to get more soil. When the 

 tunnel was nearly filled it was easy to observe in what manner 

 the wasp works. Throwing in the dirt, she backs in and 

 vibrates or shakes her whole body longitudinally against the 

 latter, thus pounding in the soil with the tip of her abdomen. 

 She would also sway her body from side to side while vibrat- 

 ing, with the evident purpose of embracing all the necessary 

 area in the operation. This process reminds one of a minute 

 steam hammer at work. As soon as Tachysphex deems the 

 site of her burrow sufficiently disguised she takes wing, prob- 

 ably to repeat the oft tedious process of providing for her off"- 

 spring. 



Tachysphex texanus Cresson. 



This insect, which bears a superficial resemblance to tarsa- 

 tus, was seen but once, in Barton county, carrying her prey, an 

 immature cedipode of very small size. 



Atypical Larridie. 

 We now come to what may be termed the atypical Larridae, 

 which differ from the true Larridae (Larrinse) in having three 

 perfect ocelli. Less is known of the habits of this group than 



