2998 



THE JOINTED ANIMALS 



markings are very variable even in the same species, rendering their identification 

 difficult for the student, though on account of that contrast of color, and the activity 

 of their movements, the members of this family are among the most attractive of all 

 hymenopterous insects. Some species prey upon lepidopterous larvae, others on 

 grasshoppers, while another provisions its nest with three or four crickets. These 

 latter, however, are not captured without a severe tussle. The Sphex leaps upon 

 the cricket's back, delivers a couple of stings, and all is over. 



Family CRABRONID^E. 



The numerous members of this family are usually black with yellow markings. 

 Their nests are formed either in the ground or in decaying timber; the tunnels of 

 wood-boring beetles being utilized in the latter case. While the smaller species 

 feed chiefly on aphides, the larger kinds are more partial to flies. Figures of 

 three species, viz., Crossocerus scutatus, C. elongatulus, and Crabro patellahis, are 

 given in the annexed illustration. Another form is Mellinus arvensis, usually met 



10 



13 



12 



Mellinus arvensis I. Male; 2. Female ; 3. M. sabulosus ; 4. Bembex rostiata ; 5. Philanthus triangulum, Cerceris, 

 arcuaria ; 6. Male; 7. Female; 8. Trypoxylon figulus ; 9. Crabro patellatus Female; 10. Male; n. Crossocerus 

 scutatus Male ; 12. C. elongatulus ; 13. Oxybelus uniglumis. (i, 10-13 enlarged, the rest natural size.) 



with in pine woods, where it may be seen searching about on the sandy soil, 

 and is particularly fond of the honeydew deposited by aphides. A smaller form 

 (M. sab^llosus'} is likewise shown in the illustration. The same illustration also 

 shows Trypoxylon figulus, a black insect, which may be odserved throughout the 

 summer flying busily to and fro among posts and decaying trees. A variation 



