186 LIFE STORIJES OF AUSTRALIAN INSECT^. 



GROUP DIPLOPTERA. 

 (True Wasps.) 



(Wings folded fanwise.) 



These can be distinguished from the Fossores 

 by several well marked characteristics. 



(i) The wings are folded lengthwise like a fan, 

 in repose. (Plate 23, Fig. 3.) 



(2) The front part of the pro-thorax on the upper 

 side, called the pronotum, is prolonged towards the 

 back to form two angular side pieces. (Plate 

 23, Fig. 4, a.) 



(3) The eyes are kidney shaped, not rounded. 

 There is a notch just behind the antennae. (Plate 

 23, Fig. 9.) This can be easily seen with a lens, 

 yowever, the Scoliid-fossores have the notched 

 eye. 



(4) There is a marked absence of the numerous 

 spines and spurs such as one finds in the fossores 

 which burrow. 



These true wasps can be divided into three groups 

 — A. Family Eumenida£, which has a single spur 

 on the end of the tibia or shank, just near the tarsus, 

 or foot. (Plate 23, Fig. 5.) The claws of the 

 foot are toothed. (Plate 23, Fig. 7.) 



B. Family Vespidae. There are two tibial spurs 

 on the middle legs. (Plate 23, Fig. 6, a.) The 

 claws of the foot are simple. (Plate 23, Fig. 8, a.) 





