FOSSORIAL WASPS 



93 



Group of Fossores. Food or Occnrreiiee. 



Fain. Sphegidae. 



Sub-Fani. Ampulicides . . Orthoplera (Blattidae only). 



,, Larrides . . . Orthoptera of various divisions. Aculeate 



Hymenoptera, in the case of Palarus. 



[Spiders stolen from nests of Pelopaeus by 



Larrada. 1 

 „ Trypoxylonides . Spiders, caterpillars, Aphidae. 

 „ Astatides . . . Astata boops uses Pentatomid bugs, cockroaclies, 



and even Aculeate Hymenoptera [O.cybelaa, 



teste Smith). 

 „ Bembecides . . Diptera and Cicada. 

 „ Nyssonides . . Diptera, Homoptera {Gorijtes mystaccus takes 



Aphrophora out of its "cuckoo-spit "). 

 ,. Philanthides . . Aculeate Hymenoptera {Philanthus). Hard 



beetles, viz. Curculionidae, Buprestidae, 



Chrj'somelidae {Ccrceris). 

 „ Mimesides . . Small Homoptera, even Aphidae. Diptera 



(Tipulidae) in Hawaii. 

 5, Crabronides . . Diptera, Aphidae [? the same species of wasjjs 



botli of these]. Other small Homoptera. 



Ants (in the case of Fertonius). Parasitic 



optera (in the case of Lindenius). 



Great diversity of opinion exists as to the classification of the 

 rossores. This arises chiefly from the incomplete state of the 

 collections studied, and from the fact that the larger part of the 

 works published are limited to local faunae. Opinions as to the 

 families vary ; some admitting only three or four, others upwards 

 of twenty. After consideration of the various views, the writer 

 thinks it best to admit at present only three families, which 

 speaking broadly, correspond with habits, viz. (1) Scoliidae, 

 subterranean stingers; (2) Pompilidae, runners; (3) Sphegidae, 

 stingers above ground. 



1. Scoliidae. Pronotum and tegulae in contact. Abdomen with the 



plane of the ventral surface interrupted by a chink between the 

 first and second segments. Numerous wingless forms. 



2. Pompilidae. Pronotum and tegulae in contact. Abdomen with the 



plane of the ventral surface not interrupted by a chink. Legs 

 very long. No wingless forms. 



3. Sphegidae. Pronotum and tegulae not in contact. No wingless 



forms. 



We shall treat as sub-families those divisions of Scoliidae and 

 Sphegidae considered by many as families. 



