WASP BEETLES. 2.S'.) 



AMietlier with wings spread or closed, tliis Beetle Lears a most 

 singular resemblance to a v^ery large hornet. 



The thorax is bright yellow, and when examined by the aid of 

 a magnifier, the colour is seen to be produced by a quantity of 

 hair-like scales which look very mueli as if they had been twisted 

 into loose ropes, coiled backwards and forwards on the insect, and 

 tlien pressed Hat. The centre of the thorax is always darker 

 than the sides, and in some specimens has well-defined edges like 

 the ace of diamonds turned black. The elytra are covered with 

 similar scales, of a dark chestnut colour, and the greater part of 

 the abdomen is of the same bright hue as the thorax. 



There is, however, a broad jetty-black belt across the middle 

 of the abdomen, and several black spots on its sid^>o, which are 

 flattened and 'turned up, so as to form a sort of fla >pen box in 

 which tlie wings can lie. The part of the abdomen which lies 

 under the elytra is also black. The ample wings are shining 

 yellow, and much resemble, both in colour and outline, the wings 

 of a hoiiiet united and spread for fiight. 



Like many Longicorn Beetles, this is an exceedingly variable 

 insect both in size and colour, some specimens being barely one- 

 fourth as large as that from which the description was taken ; 

 wliile some, instead of briglit yellow scales, are clothed in a suit 

 111' dull brown. 



There are several species of this genus, the most remarkable 

 i)f \\hich is Hesthesis cmgulatns, which is almost startlingiy like 

 line of our common sand-wasps, being black, wdtli two yellow 

 liars across the abdomen, which is narrowed at the base, then 

 swells out boldly, and then tapers rapidly to a point exactly 

 like that of the sand- wasp. Indeed, anyone not practically 

 sicquainted with entomology might be excused for thinking that 

 it was armed with a sting. 



AVith regard to tlie name of these insects, T accept it because 

 it is given by Lacordaire, whose arrangement is employed in the 

 British Museum. But I only accept it under protest. Had the 

 name of the group been given as Esthcsidcs, and that of the 

 geniis as JEsthcsis, it would have been perfectly correct. Esthesis 

 is a Greek word signifying " clothing," and referring to the dense 

 coat of hair-like scales with which the body is clothed. But there 

 is no aspirate, and the " c " in the middle of the word ought to be 

 " s," as any of my readers may see by reference to a Greek lexicon. 



