HYMENOPTERA. 



653 



in giyy\j 



them are among the larger insects of the order. The family 

 includes two quite distinct subfamilies. 



To the Bembccvice (Bem-be-ci'nae) belong the smaller 

 forms, which are usually black with greenish 

 or greenish-yellow bands. With these th< 

 labrum is longer than the clypeus, formii 

 a triangular beak (Fig. 776). They burrow 

 in sand, and provision their nests with flies. \ 



To the Stizince (Sti-zi'nae) Fig. 776.- Face of 



x y bembex. /, labrum. 



belong the giants of the fam- 

 ily. With these the labrum is shorter than the 

 clypeus (Fig. 777)- Our best-known represen- 

 « tative is the Cicada-killer, Sphecins speciosus 



Fig. 777.— Face of / \ t • r • 



sphecius. i, labrum. (Sphe'ci-us spe-ci-o sus). It is a formidable in- 

 sect, measuring one and one fourth inches in length. It is 

 black, sometimes of a rust}' color, and has the abdomen 

 banded with yellow (Fig. 778). It digs burrows in the earth, 



Fig. 778. — Sphecius speciosus. 



two feet or more in depth, and provisions each with a Cica- 

 da. Many a Cicada-song has been suddenly silenced because 

 the singer was pounced upon and carried off alive but help- 

 less to be buried in the den of this fierce, handsome insect 

 of prey. 



