VESPA. 403 



Var. (c). The 1st segment also yellow above, more or less 

 clouded with fuscous black ou the middle and sides. 



Var. (d). The yellow on the 2ud segment shaded with fuscous 

 black, especially on the sides. 



Var. (e). The basal three segments more or less yellow. 



Var. (f). The head, thorax, and abdomen reddish brown, very 

 fine and silky, the 2nd abdominal segment pale yellow. 



Hab. Throughout India, Burma, Tenasserim, Ceylon, extending 

 into the Malayan region. $ . Length 28-32 ; ex-j). 62-70 mm. 

 t? . Length 22-25 ; exp. 60-64 mm. 



After comparison of a large series of all the forms, I am unable 

 to find any constant structural or colour difference between 

 V. cincta and V. affinis. The latter varies as to size, but the 

 measurements of a large number of neuters give : — Letigth 17-23 ; 

 exp. 54-62 mm. 



699. Vespa orientalis. (PL III. fig. 4.) 



Linn. Si/st. Nat., Mant. p. 540 ; Satiss. Mon. Guep. Soc. p. 132 ; 



S^nithX'at. v, p. 117. 

 Vespa turcica, Drury, III. Exot. Ins. ii, t. 39, fig. 1. 

 Crabro fusca, Christ, Naturg. Ins. p. 216. 

 Vespa ajgyptiaca, Fallot, Tabl. de. Reaum. p. 170. 

 Vespa nilotica, Vallot, Tabl. de Reaum. p. 170. 



$ or 9. Head, thorax, and abdomen smooth; the clypeus with 

 regular but sparse and very fine shallow punctures, bilobed or 

 emarginate anteriorly ; scutellum and postscutellum prominent, 

 but not overhanging the median segment. Light chestnut-red ; 

 the clypeus dull orange-yellow ( $ ), brighter sulphur-yellow ( ^) ; 

 a line on the scape in front, the apical margin of the 1st abdominal 

 segment narrowly above, and the 3rd and 4th segments pale sulphur- 

 yellow, the yellow on the 1st segment emarginate anteriorly, the 

 extreme base of the •"-'rd and 4th segments with a small spot on 

 each side above reddish brown ; wings flavo-hyaline. 



Hah. South of Europe ; Greece ; Turkey ; Egypt ; the Punjab ; 

 North-West Provinces. $ . Length 22-25 ; exp. 54-58 mm. 

 5. Length 17-22 ; exp. 47-51 mm. 



700. Vespa basalis. Smith, Trans. Ent. Soc. new ser. ii, 1852, p. 4G, 5 ; 



Sauss. Mon. Guep. Soc. p. 148; Smith, Cat. v, p. 119. 

 Vespa obliterata, Smith, Trans. E7it. Soc. 1852, p. 47, ^ ; Sattss. 

 Mon. Gaep. Soc. p. 149; Sinith, Cat.v, p. 119. 



2 . Head, thorax, and abdomen smooth, with a fine silky lustre ; 

 clypeus broader than long, deeply bilobed anteriorly ; mesonotum 

 with a medial longitudinally impressed line anteriorly ; scutellum 

 and postscutellum prominent, the former with a fine medial longi- 

 tudinal carina, the latter bulging, overhanging the median segment, 

 which is concavo-truncate posteriorly. Head, thorax legs, and the 

 basal abdominal segment a sort of dull testaceous yellow, clouded 

 irregularly with dark brown, and covered with a golden pile, 

 which in fresh specimens is remarkably brilliant and glistening • 



2d2 



