﻿in SPHEGIDAE AMPULICIDES I I 5 



spot such as a keyhole, and in one case was apparently pre- 

 vented from afterwards escaping, by the wasp carrying some 

 heavy nails into the keyhole. The larva of the Ampulex may 

 be presumed to live on the Blattid, as it is added that dead 

 bodies of the cockroaches are frequently found with the empty 

 cocoon protruding from them. This account, if correct, points to 

 some features in the habits of this Insect that are unique. A 

 remark made by Rothney in reference to the habits of A. (Rhi- 

 nopsis) rufieornis seems to indicate some similar instinct on the 

 part of that species ; he says, " I also saw two or three of these 

 wasps collar a peculiar cockroach by the antennae and lead it off 

 into a crack in the bark, but as the cockroach reappeared smiling 

 each time, I don't know what was up." The same observer records 

 that this species associates with Sima rufonigra, an ant it greatly re- 

 sembles in appearance, as well as with a spider that is also of similar 

 appearance (Fig. 72). Schurr has given a brief account of the 

 proceedings of Ampulex compressa, and his statements also tend 

 to confirm the correctness of Perkins' report. The habits of a 

 species of Ampulex were partially known to Reaumur, who 

 described them on the authority of M. Cossigni. The species is 

 believed to be A. compressa, which occurs not only in East India, 

 but also in the island of Bourbon, the locality where M. Cossigni 

 made his observation : his account is, like the others, a mere 

 sketch of certain points observed, the most important of which 

 is that when Ampulex cannot introduce the cockroach into a 

 hole that it has selected as suitable, it bites off some portions 

 of the body in order to reduce the poor Insect to the necessary 

 extent. 



From these fragmentary observations it would appear that 

 the sting of the Ampulex has not so powerful a paralysing effect 

 as that of most other Fossores ; and that the Ampulex does 

 not form any nest, but takes advantage of suitable holes and 

 crevices to store the victim in ; also that it displays consider- 

 able ingenuity in the selection of materials with which to block 

 up the cavity in which it has placed the partially incapacitated 

 creature. 



The genus Dolicliurus is by some entomologists considered 

 the type of a sub-family allied to the Ampulicides ; it long- 

 consisted of a small and rare European Insect, but some exotic 

 species have recently been added to it. It will probably prove not 



