in. BEMBEX TEXANTJS CR. AND MICROBEMBEX MONO- 



DONTA, SAY. 



3Iicrohemhex and Bemhex (Fig. 2) are both common in the 

 sandy woods, where the}' often form large mixed colonies, build- 

 ing their nests side by side in, great numbers. When a novice first 

 comes upon one of these populous colonies on mid-day, when busi- 

 ness is at its height, he is bewildered by the great number of wasps 

 engaged in the general hubbub around the many holes that riddle 

 the ground (Fig. 24). What confuses him more than anything 

 else is the presence of the two kinds of wasps that look and act so 

 much alike. Gradually, however, he becomes accustomed to the 

 sight and soon begins to be able to distinguish easily the two species 

 as they rest on the ground, 



Microbemhex monodonta is somewhat smaller and more slender 

 than Bemhex Tex, and the stripes across her abdomen are greenish 

 yellow, while those of Bemhex are yellowish blue. With practice 

 one soon learns to distinguish the two species at a glance, by their 

 actions as well as appearance. The manner of flight is character- 

 istive in each case. Bemhex, as she flies around^ is always in a 

 hurry, flying in a zigzag course and giving a buzz at each sudden 

 turn like a blue-bottle ^y. Microhemhex is calmer in her move- 

 ments, she never seems in a hurry but flies gracefully about like a 

 bird skimming the water. Particularly on the hunt, as will be 

 pointed out below, is the diffeffrence very marked. Often while 

 digging in front of the nest the wasps will rise and leave their work 

 for a moment, especially if disturbed by idlers flitting leisurely 

 about. Bemhex Tex. usually settles immediately to resume work, 

 but Microhemhex considers the interruption an opportunity to take 

 a few moments of well-earned rest and bask a while in the sun- 

 light. 



Both of the species under consideration go through about the 

 same actions in digging at their nests, the only difference being 

 the quicker and more nervous ways of the smaller species. Here 

 we notice the manner of digging in general characteristic of all 

 the Bemhecids. The body of the wasp, balanced, as it were, on 

 the middle pair of legs, represents a teeter-totter in miniature. 

 Each time the head goes down, the tail bobs up and a stream of 



