WILLIAMS: LARRID^E OF KANSAS. 203 



curved wasp egg transversely arranged and secured at its 

 cephalic end behind the first pair of legs. The curve of this 

 egg conformed rather nicely to the convexity of the bug's 

 venter, and was stouter than the egg of either Tachytefi or 

 Tachyspex. 



Niteliopsis fossor, a large species in another division of this 

 genus, has been taken by Mr. Rohwer, of the United States 

 National Museum, with an immature cedipode ( Orthoptera ) . 

 This wasp has not thus far been found in Kansas. 



MiSCOPHUS Spp. 



Nothing on the biology of our native species was observed ; 

 more is known of the habits of this genus in Europe. 



Saunders (Hymen. Aculeata, p. 84; 1896) tells us that 

 Miscophus concolor Dahlb. "provisions its nest with a small, 

 white-bodied spider, whicli is found commonly on heath 

 (Smith)." 



Ferton (Actes de la Soc. Lineenne de Bordeau, XLVIII, 

 266-8 ; 1895) has notes relating to several species. M. (jaUicu>f, 

 niger, nicolar and honifaticieni<is were observed to store their 

 tunnels (which were quite shallow and excavated in sand) 

 with small spiders. From seven to twelve of the latter, which 

 may belong to several families, were found in one cell of 

 M. bicolor. The author informs us that Miscophus bears her 

 paralyzed prey in her mandibles, and proceeds with little hops 

 afoot, or with flying leaps. Sometimes she malaxates her prey, 

 without doubt, as Ferton says, for the purpose of extractin?' 

 a liqu'd ("pour tirer sans doute une liquid"). The spider may 

 survive in a helpless state for as long as two months, as Ferton 

 has shown. The cocoon is very strong and composed of ag- 

 glutinized grains of sand. 



Hartman, in his Observations on the Habits of Some Solitary 

 Wasps of Texas (Bull. 65, Scientific Series, Univ. of Texas, 

 p. 55-6; 1905) speaks of a Miscophus preying upon "young 

 epeirids of convenient size. These are carried on the wing or 

 afoot, depending on the weight of the victims. To quote th's 

 author: "This wasp grasps the paralyzed spider with her 

 mandibles by two or more of its legs, slings it on her back 

 and marches ofl with it, walking forward, the spider hanging 

 rather to one side in an uncomfortable and rather awkward- 

 looking manner." The nest is very small, one-celled, and, as 

 in the European species, is closed while the owner is away. 



