THe HyMENopPTERA OF MINNESOTA 207 
METHOCIDAE 
Wings, when present, not folded longitudinally in repose; constriction between 
first and second abdominal segments; legs of usual length; posterior femora when 
directed backward not reaching to middle of abdomen; sternellum not defined; inter- 
mediate coxae generally contiguous; tibiae not flattened; clypeus transverse, very 
much wider than long; eyes usually entire; female thorax divided into three parts; 
apex of abdomen of male armed with single spine. j 
The family is a small one, the Connecticut volume listing only one 
genus and species. Methoca stygia Say, described by Say under the 
name of bicolor, “has a black head, while the remainder of the insect 
is almost entirely castaneous. The male is black with the wings 
dusky.” This species resembles an ant. 
MYRMOSIDAE 
Same as Methocidae, but female thorax divided into two parts, prothorax being 
well separated; apex of abdomen in male without spines; females always apterous. 
We figure a male Myr- 
mosa unicolor which oc- 
curs in Minnesota and is of 
general distribution over 
the U. S. and Canada. 
MUTILLIDAE 
Same as Myrmosidae, but fe- 
male thorax undivided; apex of 
abdomen in male with two 
spines. 
All parasitic, and for the 
most part in the nests of 
wasps or bees wherein at times they may play the part of guests. 
There is a striking difference between the sexes; the females are 
wingless, the males winged. (Morawitz states that “wingless males 
occur in two species.”) They closely resemble ants but have no node 
or knot at base of abdomen. The females are provided with powerful 
stings. Members of the family are also characterized by a velvet-like 
Fig. 94. Myrmosa unicolor. Male. 
PXPLANATION OF COLORED PLATE 3 
16. Megachile (Xanthosarus) latimanus Say. 
17. Ceratina dupla Say. 
18. Xenoglossa (Peponapis) pruinosa Say. 
19. Melissodes sp. 
20. Bremus borealis Kby. 
21. Psithyrus laboriosus, var. contiguus Cress. 
22. Bremus ternarius Say. 
23. Bombias separatus Cress. 
