CHAPTER III 



HYMENOPTERA ACULEATA COXTIXUED DIVISION III. FOSSORES OR 



FOSSOUIAL SOLITARY ^VAS1^S FAMILY SCOLIIDAE OR SURTElt- 



RANEAN FOSSORS FA.MILY P0:MPILIDAE OR RUNNERS FAMILY 



SPHEc;iI)AE OR PERFECT-STINGERS 



Division III. Fossores. 



Aculeate Hymenoptcra, in 'ichich the abdomen, though very diverse 

 in. form, does not hear jrrominences on the upper asp)ect of the 

 h((sal segments ; front wivg without longitudinal fold idoiuj 

 the middle ; hairs of hody not 2^^umose. Only two forms 

 (^male and female) of each sjjeeie,^. 



FossORiAL Hvmeiioptera are distinguished from other Aculeates 

 at present only by negative characters, i.e. they are Aculeates, 

 but are not ants, bees or wasps. According to their habits they 

 tall into four, by no means sharply distinguished, groups — (1) 

 those that form no special receptacles for their young, but are 

 either of parasitic or sub-parasitic habits, or take advantage of 

 the abodes of other Insects, holes, etc. ; (2) constructors of cells 

 of clay formed into pottery by the saliva of the Insect, and by 

 drying ; (3) excavators of burrows in the ground ; (4) makers of 

 tunnels in wood or stems of plants. Several species make use 

 of both of the last two methods. The habits are carnivorous ; 

 the structures formed are not for the benefit of the makers, but 

 are constructed and stored with food for the next generation. 

 Their remarkable habits attracted some attention even 2000 

 years or more ago, and were to some extent observed by Aristotle. 

 The great variety in the habits of the species, the extreme 

 industry, skill, and self-denial they display in carrying out their 

 voluntary labours, render them one of the most instructive groups 

 ftf the animal kino-dom. There are no social or greo-arious 



