bait 
The Sphegoidea of Nebraska 13 
gust, on Melilotus alba and Asclepias sp. Readily recognized 
ag the single red band on the abdomen. 
Genus Sphecius Dahlbom 
_ Sphecius speciosus (Drury). 
1773. Sphex speciosus Drury, Illustrations of Natural History, ii, p. 71. 
1895. Sphecius speciosus Fox, Proceedings of Academy of Natural 
Sciences of Philadelphia, p. 265. 
This magnificent insect is occasionally met with in Nebraska, 
4 the collection containing specimens from Carns and Lincoln, 
' taken in July (W. D. Pierce, F. C. Kenyon). 
Family NYSSONIDAE 
KEY TO THE SUBFAMILIES 
A. Marginal cell always broadly truncate at apex, with an appendage; 
antennae inserted close to clypeus, or very close to the clypeal 
SSEIEED NOM Data's haitvns areca ok tes weds ys AERA Oe Une oC awe ASTATINAE 
AA. Marginal cell always pointed at apex, never truncate, and without 
4 an appendage; antennae inserted far above the elypeils, always 
away from the clypeal suture. 
B. Front wings with the second cubital cell petiolate, rarely trian- 
gular, sessile; mesopleural furrow wanting or subobsolete, 
; incomplete posteriorly. 
C. Metathorax with the superior hind angles always acute or 
q produced into stout teeth or spines; pronotum dorsally 
short, narrowly transverse; forms broad, robust, 
NYSSONINAE 
CC. Metathorax with superior hind angles unarmed, rounded or 
obtuse; pronotum dorsally not short, subquadrate; 
HOLIMS 7) ClOM PALER te 4 adios eeucrotad woniee ee ALYSONINAE 
BB. Front wings with the second cubital cell broadly sessile, never 
triangular or petiolate, and receiving both recurrent nerv- 
“ures; mesopleural furrow usually deeply and sharply defined, 
ST Csi] hd os OPERONS. ERC MR st RE a GORYTINAE 
Subfamily ASTATINAE 
KEY TO THE GENERA 
Marginal cell along the costal margin much longer than the stigma; 
rein eet Ale SHOIO PIC Sie. x osu kos wid a ee ooh vale es oS Astatus 
Marginal -cell along the costal margin not longer than the stigma, 
most frequently shorter; eyes in the male normal, not holoptic; 
tarsal comb long, distinct; tibiae spinous............... Diploplectron 
a 335 
1. Pata Sis 
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