176 H Y M E XOPTE R A . 



the female they are short, thick, and elbowed on the second 

 joint. The clypeus is large, irregularl}^ quadrilateral, becom- 

 ing shorter in the lower genera, and the labrum is small, 

 scarcely exserted, while the mandibles are, in the female es- 

 pecially, large and broad. The prothorax is ver}^ square in 

 front. In the fore-wings are three subcostal spaces. The 

 abdomen in the typical genus (Seolia) is broad and flat, longer 

 than the rest of the body. The abdomen of Mutilla approaches 

 that of the Chrysididce in having the second ring much en- 

 larged over the others. The males usually have the anal 

 stylets very prominent, while the sting of the female is very 

 powerful. The body and legs are generally very hirsute, and 

 the first tarsal joint is as long as the tibiiie. 



The genus Sapyga is easily recognized by its smooth slender 

 body, being ornamented with yellow, with transverse bands on 

 the abdomen. The head is long, very convex in front, and 

 the antenniB are clavate ; the prothorax is very broad, giving 

 an oblong appearance to the thorax. The legs are slender and 

 smooth. It is said to be parasitic, laying its eggs in the cells 

 of Osmia. Sapyga Martinii of Smith is found northward. 



The species of Seolia are often of great size, being black 

 and very hirsute, with the labium composed of three linear di- 

 visions ; the abdomen alone being banded or spotted with 

 yellow on the sides. They are found in the hottest places 

 al)out strongly scented flowers. In Europe, Seolia hieineta 

 ''makes its burrows in sand-banks, to the depth of sixteen 

 inches, with a very wide mouth ; " and it is probable that the 

 nest is stored with grasshoppers. 



Seolia quaclrirnaeulata Fabr. is found in the Middle and 

 Southern States, The larva of Seolia flavifrons was found by 

 I'asserini to live in the body of the lamellicorn beetle, Oryctes 

 nasicornis. In Madagascar, Seolia oryetopliaga lives on 

 Oryctes simia, according to Coquerel. 



Professor Sumichrast states that at Tehuacan (Department 

 of Puebla) the Seolia Azteca Sauss. is ver^^ common ; and is 

 particularly abundant in the leather tanneries, which leads him 

 t) think that the females of this species also deposit their eggs 

 under the epidermis of the larva which abounds in the tan. 



Tlpliia is black throughout and rather hirsute. The antenn.ie 



