176 LIFE STORIES OF AUSTRALIAN INSECTS. 



Sub-family Thynnides (Plate 21, Figs. 7 and 8). 

 The wasps of this sub-family are similar in habit to 

 the scoliids. parasitising the larvae of lamellicorn 

 beetles; the adults feed on the nectar of flowers. 

 We have caught the males of Thynnus variabilis and 

 other thynnid wasps on the flowers of Leptospcr- 

 mitni. There is a curious thynnid wasp known 

 as the "blue ant" which is ant-like in appearance. 

 It has a very powerful sting and a stout integument. 

 Its name is Diamma bicolor, and it is the wingless 

 female. 



II. Family Pompilidas. 

 Runners or Sand Wasps. 



These wasps have strong running legs and can 

 also fly well. Their habits are parasitic, for they 

 hunt out victims, lay an egg on the outside of the 

 body, after paralysing them, and then close up 

 their sandy nest. 



The wasp-baby feeds on the fluids of the body 

 of the victim, whose skin it pierces with its jaws 

 and sucks at the puncture. 



The adult wasps are usually strong, free moving, 

 and of black and orange colours. 



Pompilid wasps have no chink between the ist 

 and 2nd segments of the abdomen. (Plate 21. Fig. 

 2.) The tegulse and pronotum are in contact. 

 (Plate 21, Fig. 9, b and c.) 



III. Family Sphegidae. 

 (Smaller Sand Wasps.) 



This group of wasps is closely allied to the Pom- 



