POMPILUS. 



GENERIC CHARACTER. 



Labrum inserted under the nasus ; eyes entire ; 

 steinmata three; antennae as long as the head 

 and trunk, in the female convoluted towards the 

 tip; mandibles unarmed, or with one or two 

 teeth; maxillary palpi longer than the labiales, 

 three last joints nearly of equal length ; superior 

 wings not folded longitudinally; radial cellule 

 of moderate size ; cubital cellules three, the first 

 elongated; second and third subequal, nearly 

 square, receiving the two recurrent nervures; 

 fourth cellule rudimental ; feet elongated. 



OBSERVATIONS. 



These insects associate by pairs, and make 

 their nest in the earth. The female digs a 

 hole in a sunny bank or declivity; when this is 

 accomplished, she goes in search of a spider 

 or a caterpillar, which she punctures with her 

 sting, and places at the bottom of her nest. 

 Having deposited an egg, either in or upon the 



PLATE 42. F 



