f' WASPS. m 



are winged ; the veins of the wings do not extend to 

 the outer (distal) margin. (Plate 21, Fig. 5. a). 

 They are parasitic on the larvae of beetles. The 

 eyes of Scoliids are usually notched. 



B. Sub-family Thynnides (Plate 21, Figs. 7 and 

 8). Characteristics: — Males and females dififer, the 

 males are winged, the females wingless. Wings 

 with veins extending to the outer margin. Similar 

 in habits to the Scoliids. The abdomen is smooth 

 looking with well defined rings. The adults of 

 both these sub-families feed on the nectar of flow- 

 ers. 



C. Sub-family Mutillides. Characteristics: — 

 These are ant-like forms, and often are associated 

 with ants. The females are wingless, with the parts 

 of the thorax closely soldered, forming one piece. 

 (Plate 21, Fig. 6). Males differ in having the 



I thoracic segments visible and are usually winged. 

 They are parasitic in habit, parasitising other wasps 

 and bees. The species Mutilla rugicollis is a large 



I black wasp with white markings. These wasps 

 are sometimes seen running on the ground or along 

 tree trunks. 



Sub-family Scoliides. 



These wasps parasitise the grubs of the lamelli- 

 ! corn beetles (such beetle types being "king," 

 "queen" or christmas beetle, and "washer-Avomen 

 beetles" of the children). 



Of the common Scoliid wasps is the beautiful 

 blue-black metallic wasp, Discolia soror (Plate 22. 

 Figs. 10. II and 12), v/hich we have observed for 

 several years in late summer flying over the lawns 



