208 



ODYNERUS TRIFASCIATUS. 



In separating this insect which I have bred, and of which I 

 possess males and females agreeing with each other in differences 

 of sculpture and form from 0. parietum, I do not forget that 

 local varieties of a species are of common occurrence. I have 

 great doubt of Panzer's insect being the one I have described, 

 and I am quite aware that it may hereafter be proved that I have 

 only separated a variety ; be that as it, may, it is a subject re- 

 quiring further investigation ; but I believe them to be distinct 

 species. 



9. Odynerus trifasciatus. 



0. elongatus ; clypeo antennisque atris ; abdomine fasciis tribus 

 flavis. 



Vespa trifasciata, Oliv. Encycl. Me'th. vi. 688. 



Fabr. Syst. Piez. 264. 60. 

 Vespa quadricincta, Fabr. Syst. Piez. 262. 46. 

 Vespa Gazella, Panz. Faun. Germ. 53. 10. 

 Vespa yuncea, Christ. Hym. 245. pi. 23. f. 8. 

 Odynerus trifasciatus, Spin. Ins. Lig. ii. 184. 



Wesm. Mon. Odyn. Belg. 7. 



Sauss. Mon. Guepes Sol. 211. 100. 

 Odynerus tricinctus, Herr. Schaff. Faun. Germ. 173. 20. 176 ? 



Female. Length 4^-5^ lines. Black; a yellow spot between 

 the antenna? and a minute one behind the eyes ; a small yellow 

 spot at the base of the mandibles, and the scape more or less 

 ferruginous or yellowish towards the apex beneath. Thorax 

 elongate ; the prothorax bordered with yellow in front, and two 

 yellow spots on the scutellum. Abdomen : the first segment 

 rather broader than long; the three basal segments bordered 

 with yellow, sometimes a narrow border on the fourth more or 

 less abbreviated at the sides; the tibiae yellow in front, the 

 posterior pair entirely so at their base ; the apical joints of the 

 anterior tarsi ferruginous ; the wings with a fuscous border, the 

 tegulse rufo-piceous. 



The Male differs in having the mandibles, clypeus, and scape in 

 front, yellow ; the yellow border on the prothorax very narrow 

 and slightly interrupted, and the scutellum black; the tibiae 

 yellow, with a black stain behind ; the tarsi yellow, stained with 

 ferruginous ; abdomen seldom having a fourth yellow fascia. 



This very distinct species is generally distributed, and fre- 

 quently found in the London district. It forms its burrows in 

 old palings, &c. I have several times reared it from such 

 materials. 



