THE HYMENOPTERA OF THE GEORGETOWN 
MUSEUM. 
Petit: 
By P. Cameron. 
THE MARABUNTAS OR WASPS. 
(In this section 28 new species of social and 42 solitary wasps are described 
for the first time. No doubt there are many more to be found for there have 
been additions to the collection since these were forwarded to Mr. Cameron. 
The study of these insects is peculiarly fascinating as may be seen from the 
works of M. Fabre and Mr. and Mrs. Peckham. Good work has been done at 
the Para Museum in identifying the nests of the social species, some of which 
are very curious. At some future time the fine collection of nests in our 
Museum must be properly labelled, and this publication of new species will 
ereatly assist to that end. Few people here appreciate the wealth of our insect 
fauna, although we all know that the species are numerous. Some look 
upon wasps as pests, and in fear of their stings, get out of the way. Some of 
them, no doubt, sting severely, but only when disturbed. We may stand up 
quietly ana see them at work. A great deal remains to be learnt before we 
ean deal with thei: life histories Some are very useful for they destroy many 
of the plant pests. It is interesting to note that, unlike the fruits of temperate 
climes, ours are generally protected by thick skins or acrid secretions, it fol- 
lows therefore that wasps are not troublesome as fruit pests ; our houses are 
free from them, and it is only when they nest under bridges that it becomes 
necessary to destroy them. The solitary species store up larve, flies, grass- 
hoppers, cockroaches, etc., for their young, in immense numbers, and thus 
preserve the balance of insect life. The paralysing of this food supply is one 
of the most curious things in nature; the young have fresh meat when they 
come out of the egg. A case may be seen in the Museum where the wasps are 
shown with their prey, and it is notable that the sand-wasps, (Monedula spp.) 
keep down the cattle flies. This has been seen by the creoles who call them 
* cow-fly tigers.” —J. R.) 
DIPLOPTERA. 
VESPIDZ. 
Polybia, Lep. 
SYNOPSIS OF SPECIES. 
A.—trost-Scutellum gradually elongated to a fine point. 
Pallid yellow largely marked with fulvous, the mesonotum without lines, the head immaculate, 
the base of the second abdominal segment with a large semi-circular mark, the 
apices or the other segments lined with yellow, the stigma testaceous. . . . . 
holoxantha Ducke. 
