

458 INSECTA. 



FAMILY III. 



DIPLOPTERA. 



The third family of the Aculeata is the only one of that section, 

 in which with but few exceptions we find the superior wings folded 

 longitudinally. The antennas are usually geniculate and clavate, or 

 thickest at the end. The eyes are emarginated. The prothorax is 

 prolonged behind, on each side, to the origin of the wings. The 

 body is glabrous or nearly so, and black, more or less maculated 

 with yellow or fulvous. 



Many of these Insects form temporary communities composed of 

 three sorts of individuals, males, females, and neuters. Such of the 

 females as survive the severity of the winter commence the nest and 

 take care of the larvae. They are subsequently assisted by the neu- 

 ters. We will divide the Diploptera into two tribes. The type of 

 the first, that of the MASARIDES, Lat., is the genus 



MASARIS, Fab. 



The antennae at the first glance seem to be composed of but eight joints, 

 the eighth, with the following ones, forming an almost indistinctly articu- 

 lated club, rounded or very obtuse at the end. The ligula is terminated by 

 two threads which can be withdrawn into a tube formed by its base. There 

 are but two complete cubital cells in the superior wings. The middle of 

 the anterior margin of the clypeus is emarginated and receives the labrum 

 in the notch. 



The second tribe of the Diploptera, that of the VESPARUE, is com- 

 posed of the genus 



VESPA, Lin. 



Where the antennae always present thirteen distinct joints in the males and 

 terminate in an elongated, pointed, and sometimes in the males hooked 

 extremity: they are always geniculate, at least in the females and neuters. 

 The ligula is sometimes divided into four plumose filaments, and sometimes 

 bilobate with four glandular points at the end, one on each lateral lobe, and 

 the remaining two on the intermediate one, which is larger, widened, and 

 emarginated or bifid at its extremity. The mandibles are strong and den- 

 tated. The clypeus is large. The females and neuters are armed with an 

 extremely powerful and venomous sting. Several of them form communi- 

 ties composed of the three sorts of individuals. 

 The larvae are vermiform, destitute of feet, and enclosed separately in a 



