HYMENOPTERA. 



653 



them are among the larger insects of the order. The family 

 includes two quite distinct subfamilies. 



To the Betnbecince (Bem-be-ci'nae) belong the smaller 

 forms, which are usually black with greenish 

 or greenish-yellow bands. With these the 

 labrum is longer than the clypeus, forming 

 a triangular beak (Fig. 776). They burrow 

 in sand, and provision their nests with flies. 

 To the Stizince (Sti-zi'nae) 

 belong the giants of the fam- 

 ily. With these the labrum is shorter than the 

 clypeus (Fig. 777). Our best-known represen- 

 . tative is the Cicada-killer, Sphecius speciosus 



Fig. 777.— Face of _ i . 



spkedus. /, labrum. (Sphe'ci-us spe-ci-o'sus). It is a formidable in- 

 sect, measuring one and one fourth inches in length. It is 

 black, sometimes of a rusty color, and has the abdomen 

 banded with yellow (Fig. 778). It digs burrows in the earth, 



Fig. 776.— Face of 

 Bembex. /, labrum. 



■C-~ 



FlG. 778. — Sphecius speciosus. 



two feet or more in depth, and provisions each with a Cica- 

 da. Many a Cicada-song has been suddenly silenced because 

 the singer was pounced upon and carried off alive but help- 

 less to be buried in the den of this fierce, handsome insect 

 of prey, 



