678 connecticut geol. and nat. hist. survey. [bull. 



Sphecin^. 



The wasps of this subfamily are very easily recognized. The 

 posterior orbits are usually much narrower than the diameter of 

 the eye. The inner margins of the eyes are parallel or subparal- 

 lel. The pronotum in all our species is transverse. The propo- 

 deum is long, with the spiracle placed about one fourth (or a 

 greater distance) of the length of the propodeum from the meta- 

 notum. The abdomen is always petiolate. In some species the 

 petiole is composed of the entire first and part of the second 

 segment, so it is very long and has given these insects the common 

 name " thread-waisted wasps." There are always three cubital 

 cells in our species. The body is usually black with yellow or 

 reddish markings, and is often clothed with hair. The antennae 

 are near the middle of the face. The clypeus is long and narrow 

 dorsally. 



The habits of these wasps are varied. Some of them nest in 

 the ground, while others construct nests of mud and are often 

 called mud-daubers. Some of them provision their nests with 

 spiders, others with Lepidopterous larvae, while still others use 

 Orthopterous insects. For an interesting account of the habits of 

 certain species see the Peckhams' book on Solitary Wasps. 



Key to Tribes. 



1. Second and third cubital cells each receiving a recurrent 



vein; propodeum without a U-shaped area on dorsal 



surface chlorionini p. 678 



"Second cubital cell receiving both recurrent veins 2 



2. Propodeum without a U-shaped dorsal area sphecini p. 680 



Propodeum with a U-shaped dorsal area sceliphronini p. 682 



CHLORIONINI. 



Chlorion Latreille. 

 According to current views there is but one genus in the tribe 

 Chlorionini. This genus, Chlorion, may be divided into a number 

 of subgenera, the following of which occur within the limits 

 of the State. 



Key to Subgenera. 



1. Second cubital cell wider than long 2 



Second cubital cell longer than wide 3 



2. Clav/s with oae inner tooth Chlorion p. 679 



Claws with three to six teeth ; . . Priononyx p. 679 



