201 

 Notes on Sjmagris. 



r.KIDWKLL 



The g'erius l^i/iicif/ris is a characteristic Kthi(>])ian geims of 

 wasps of which three species were taken at Oloke Meji, Nige- 

 ria (S. ronnild Liiine-, S. sirJiclidiid Saussnre and S. aiiiplis- 

 slina Kohl). 



. Of these tlie most alnnidant was N. coniiild. This species 

 and 8. sicheliaiia were conmionlv foinid visitinii,' the large pea- 

 like flowers of a species of Crotalarla, their long tongnes en- 

 abling them to seenre the nectar concealed within. 



The male of 8. coiinda is remarkable for the jx-cnliai' 

 antler-like ])rocess dc'veloped on the base of the mandibles 

 and proj(H'ting forward abont fonr times the length of the 

 mandible. In some individnals this is mnch more feebly de- 

 veloped and less than twice the kngth of the mandible and in 

 others still it is represented only by a tnbcrcle. In ;S'. amplis- 

 sima the male typically bears a ])air of long projecting horns 

 on the posterior margin of the second sternite, absent however 

 in some individnals. Pecnliar male secondary sexnal char- 

 acters abonnd in the genns and are fre(piently absent in indi- 

 vidnal males. 



The females of the genns have great ])owers of stinging 

 and are not at all loath to employ them. The males share with 

 the males of Monobia quadridens of Xorth America the nn- 

 nsnal power of inflicting a real sting, the male genitalia termi- 

 nating in sharp slender spines capable of piercing the hnman 

 skin and prodncing a distinct painfnl sting. 



The nests are made of mnd-cells arranged in a singh^ layer 

 on the nnderside of green leaves or in sheltered positions on 

 large stones. One nest was made up of five cells. The cells 

 are not closed until the larva is fnll grown and ready to ])npate. 

 Since none of the cells examined contained insect remains the 

 larvae are apparently fed by the mothei- either on insect jnices 

 or possil)ly on nectar. 



Proc. Haw. Ent. Soc. Ill, No. 4, May, 191' 



