SPHEGID^. 



167 



sons, was frequently observed by Mr. C. Cooke to attack the 

 cockroach. The cockroach, as if cowed at its presence, im- 

 mediatel}^ yields without a struggle. The Ampulex stings 

 and paralj'ses its victim, and then flies away with it. 



Chlorion is closel}' allied, containing blue and metallic green 

 species, often with golden yellow wings. Chlorion cycmeum 

 Dalilb., a blue species, is found in the Southern States. 



The genus Priononyx "ditfers from the genus Sphex in hav- 

 ing the claws qnadridentate beneath at their base ; the neura- 

 tion of the wings and the form of the abdomen are the same as 

 in H((.rpactopus" which is found only in the tropics and Aus- 

 tralia. Priononyx Tliomm is found from South Carolina to 

 Brazil, including the West Indies. 



The genus Sphex is quite an extensive one. The head is as 

 wide as the thorax ; the antennae are filiform, mandibles large 

 and acute, bidentate within, the teeth notched at their base, 

 forming a rudimentar}^ tooth, the apical tooth being acute. 

 The thorax is elongate-ovate, truncated behind, with a trans- 

 verse collar (prothorax). The fore Avings have one marginal 

 and three submarginal cells ; the marginal cell elongate, rounded 

 at its apex ; the 

 first submarginal 

 cell as long as the 

 two following. The 

 abdomen is pedun- 

 culated, conically 

 ovate, and the an- 

 terior tarsi are cili- 

 ated in the females. 



Sjjhex ichneumo- 

 nea Linn. (Figure 

 90) is a large rust- 

 red species, with a 

 dense golden pu- Fig. 90. 



bescence. It is common from Massachusetts southwards. In 

 the last week of July, and during August and early in Sep- 

 tember, we noticed nearly a dozen of these wasps busily en- 

 gaged in digging their holes in a gravelly Avalk. In previous 

 seasons they Avere more numerous, burrowing into grassy 



