WILLIAMS: LARRID^ OP KANSAS. 207 



of the Larrinse, just reviewed. In addition to Orthoptera, 

 Hemiptera and spiders are captured by certain of the wasps 

 to be considered. 



Lyroda subita Say. 



Mr. W. H. Patton (Ent. News, III, p. 90; 1892) says, con- 

 cerning this species : It "is peculiar for its nonfossorial tarsi, 

 and its method of carrying Nemobius, which it catches to feed 

 its young, is interesting. It holds the cricket by clasping the 

 base of the antennse between its mandibles and clypeus, the 

 minute teeth preventing the antennse from slipping; this ex- 

 plains the use of the teeth on the clypeus." 



The Peckhams (Instincts and Habits of the Solitary Wasps) 

 have observed that this insect uses small crickets to store her 

 rather deep nest, and that she closes her burrow before seeking 

 her prey. That she also feeds her young from day to day is 

 also their belief. 



L. subita was seen on a few occasions searching for her prey, 

 traveling at a rather slow gait for a larrid, occasionally en- 

 tering cracks or shifting her locality by a short swift flight. 

 Plenocuhis apicalis Williams. (Fig. 120, larva in situ.) 



This active little fellow (about 4.25 mm. long) was not un- 

 common in Phillips county during the latter part of August, 

 1912. Here a small sandy hollow in the midst of a sandy 

 pasture furnished a fair supply of Plenoculus. The small, 

 mat-like Euphorbia plants were quite attractive to the smaller 

 Larridse, while an occasional Plenoculus could now and then be 

 seen running up and down the stalks of sunflower plants, as if 

 engaged in seeking their hemipterous prey. Not far removed 

 from this locality a broad and sandy pathway leading from 

 "bottom land" up to the bluff, and possessed of a good, sunny 

 exposure, was still more productive in this species of larrid, 

 and here I was fortunate in observing a little of their nesting 

 habits. 



During the early part of the afternoon of August 31 two 

 female wasps were seen storing their nests with mature as 

 well as immature Atomoscelis, probably seriatus Rent. (Cap- 

 sidfe), which they readily carried on the wing. The bugs, 

 which are green and about 3 mm. long, were carried beneath 

 the body of its captor, but just in what manner could not be 

 determined. I watched one of these Plenoculus make four 

 trips, bringing in bugs at 1 :22, 1 :2.5, 1 :34, and 1 :40 P. M., the 



