II—A SYNOPSIS OF THE SPHECOIDEA OF NEBRASKA 
(HYMENOPTERA) 
BY CLARENCE E, MICKEL 
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA 
The following paper is the result of three years more or less 
intermittent study and collecting of the entomophilous wasps of 
the superfamily Sphecoidea. In 1908, Mr. H. S. Smith pub- 
lished a list of Nebraska Sphecoidea together with synoptic tables, 
descriptions of new species and notes. The University of Ne- 
braska collection of this group has more than doubled in size 
since 1908, the collection of Nebraska specimens now numbering 
about 7,000, while the entire collection of Sphecoidea includes 
between 8,000 and 9,000 specimens. This wealth of material has 
naturally increased the number of species known to occur within 
the state and has furnished 91 species new to science. Mr. H. S. 
Smith’s paper included 200 species of Nebraska Sphecoidea, 
while the collection now contains 349 species of this group taken 
within the state. It seems opportune, therefore, to now publish 
a complete account of our knowledge concerning the Nebraska 
Sphecoidea. No doubt other forms will be found from time to 
time, and it is hoped that the synopsis here presented will stimu- 
late interest in the study of this group and aid the student in 
determining the specimens that come to hand. The writer has 
been materially assisted by an abundance of comparative ma- 
terial. 
The Sphecoidea are one of the most interesting groups of the 
Hymenoptera, both from an economic and taxonomic standpoint. 
Except in one or two instances the habits of these wasps are of 
considerable economic value to man. The Peckhams have given 
an interesting account of the habits of several species. The 
adult wasps provision their nests with other insects, most of 
which are more or less destructive These include Lepidopterous 
larvae, Homoptera, Hemiptera, Diptera and Coleoptera. 
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