An Indian Building Insect. 317 



until it gets more of the form of the perfect insect (Fig. 4, c), 

 and, by the time it is full grown, the interior case has turned 

 to a much darker colour, and completely fills up the interior 

 of the earthen cell. The insect soon eats its way through both 

 coverings, and emerges into air a perfect imago (d d, Fig. 4). 



NOTE ON THE ABOVE COMMUNICATION. 



The insect whose habits and nest are so well described in 

 this communication, is the Pelojpmus Madras]) atanus, belonging 

 to the Family Sphegidas, Tribe Fossores. Another species, the 

 Pelojpoeus Bengalensis, is also very common in some parts of 

 Bengal. In the south of Europe, one species, Pelopceus 

 Spinifex, is of frequent occurrence, but no example of this 

 genus exists in Great Britain, the nearest representatives in 

 this country being the Ammophilas, or Burrowing Sand Wasps, 

 that store up caterpillars as well as spiders for the food of the 

 larvae. In the warmer parts of America the species of the 

 genus Pelopoeus are exceedingly numerous, and are popularly 

 known as Mud-daubers. In many places they enter the rooms 

 to affix their nests to the cornices, attaching them so firmly 

 that the plaster is broken away if the nests are removed. In 

 India, some of the insects belonging to different genera of 

 the Family Sphegidse are regarded with great favour, as they 

 prey upon noxious animals, such as the disgusting Blattas, or 

 cockroaches. Many are distinguished by the great beauty of 

 the colour of the body, and its high degree of brilliancy. 



