196- DIPLOPTERA. 



segment being at its base, those on the third and sixth usually 

 occupying the entire segments, those on the fourth and fifth 

 attenuated in the middle. 



Var. a. An interrupted line on the scutellum yellow. 



Var. /3. An ovate yellow spot on each side of the metathorax. 



This is certainly a very local, if not a rare species ; it has oc- 

 curred at Faversham and at Canterbury, Kent. I know of no 

 other localitv. 



Tribe III. DIPLOPTERA, Latr. 



Consisting of two sexes in the Solitary group, males and 

 females : to the communities of the Social Wasps are added 

 workers, or neuters, sometimes termed abortive females; the 

 females, as well as the workers, furnished with a sting. The 

 anterior wings folded longitudinally in repose ; the prothorax 

 prolonged backwards to the base of the wings ; the eyes reni- 

 form, lateral, and extending to, or nearly to, the base of the 

 mandibles ; the anterior and intermediate tibiae furnished with a 

 single spine at their apex, the posterior pair having two spines ; 

 the claws of the tarsi bifid in the Solitary species, but simple in 

 the Social group. 



There is not, perhaps, a more universally distributed tribe of 

 insects than the Wasps ; some species inhabit all parts of the 

 known world. The genera which appear to be the most widely 

 distributed are Odynerus and Eumenes, both belonging to the 

 Solitary division. The genera belonging to the Social group, on 

 the contrary, are limited in their geographical range : the typical 

 genus, Vespa, has not been found in Africa, Australia, or in 

 South America. The distribution of particular species is re- 

 markable the Vespa vulgaris of Europe is found in North 

 America, and Vespa rufa occurs at Hudson's Bay. 



The interest attached to the ceconomy of these insects rivals 

 that of the Hive-Bee ; and the structures which are built by 

 many of the exotic social species are amongst the most beautiful 

 examples of the architecture of insects ; but it will be best to 

 detail the ceconomy and habits of the British species under their 

 respective genera. 



