114 



HYMENOPTERA 



spiders. The species is said to be protected by a peculiar odour 

 as well as by its sting ; it is also stated that it disguises its 

 edifice when completed by making it look like a dab ot" mud, 

 and on one occasion " rays of mud were oljserved round the nest, 

 even more exactly imitating a lump of mud thrown with some 

 force." /''. {Sceliph ran) bilineatus, formerly thought to be a variety 

 of I\ mddraspatantis, builds its nests in hedges and trees. 



Sub-Fam. 2. Ampulicides. — Prothorax long and narroiv, forming 

 a neck ill f font ; dypcus heak-like ; four submarginal rclh, 

 the outer one being rotnj^lete ; metathorax elongate, the pos- 

 terior ^'ft^'^ of the vietasternuni dee-ply divided to allotr a. 

 'perfect injiection of the abdomen. 



This is one of the smallest of the divisions of the Sphegidae, 

 but has a very wide distribution, being represented in both 

 the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. It is allied to tlie 

 Sphegides, but differs by the prolongation of the neck and of the 

 head, and by the articulation between the petiole and thorax 

 being placed on the under surface of the body ; the wiug- 

 nervures are said to be of inferior importance owing to their 



frequently differing in indi- 

 viduals of the same species. 

 These Insects appear to be 

 rare in individuals, as well as 

 few in species, and but little 

 has been recorded as to theii- 

 habits; but it is known that 

 they live on cockroaches. l*er- 

 kins has given a brief sketch 

 of the habits of Ampalex sibi- 

 riea that is of great interest, 

 but requires confirmation. He 

 says that this Insect, in West 

 Africa, enters apartments where 

 cockroaches abound, and attack- 

 ing one, that may probably be 

 four times its own size, suc- 

 ceeds, after a struggle, in sting- 

 ing it ; the cockroach instantly becomes cpiiet and submissive, and 

 suffers itself to be led away ;ind placed in confinement in some 



Fig. 44.- 



-Ampulex compressa. 

 East India. 



Male 



