50 



SPHEGIDjE. 



At least one hundred of our species are contained in this family, which is divided 

 into several sub-families, each of which is considered by some writers entitled to rank ag 

 an independent family. 



The first of these, Larrinse, contains several wasp-like insects of moderate size, and 

 usually black, which are found running and flying about the ground in dry, warm places, 

 searching for the insects with which to provision their burrows. A common sppcies is 

 Larra quebecensis, black, with the basal half of the abdomen red, found often on flowers, 

 and which I have seen carrying grasshoppers to its burrows. L. terminate*, is a smaller 

 species, black, with the tip of the abdomen yellowish, and has also been observed by me 

 bearing off young grasshoppers. 



The sub-family Spheginse, contains larger insects, long and slender, the base of the 

 abdomen bein» attenuated and lengthened to form a pedicle connecting it with the thorax. 

 Of the genus Sphex five species are recorded, which seem to occur chiefly in western 

 Ontario, as I have not yet been able to capture or observe any in this neighbourhood, 

 and none are recorded by Provencher from Quebec. Sphex ichneumonea, one of the 

 species on our lists, it is said "digs rapidly into hard ground, using both jaws and fore 

 le^s in the process, and a single female complete s two or three burrows, five inches deep,' 

 in the course of an afternoon. She preferably provisions her cells with Orchelium and 

 allied forms." 



Pelopceus contains the well-known insects which construct the oblong mud cells, 

 found, usually side by side in rows, under flat stones in the country, or under window-sills, 

 cornices, etc., in the city. Each of these cells is stored with spiders, etc., to feed the 



larva which is to develope from the egg deposited in it. In 

 spring the perfect insects emerge from their earthen homes, which 

 are lound to be lined with a thin tough cocoon, and they may be 

 seen during the summer collecting earth in damp places with 

 which to build, or catching the insects which they require for 

 their future brood. They are remarkable for the long, slender 

 pedicle by which the oval abdomen is attached to the thorax. 

 Pelopoeus ceruleus (Fig. 4) is a brilliant blue insect, tbree-fouiths 

 of an inch long, which does much good by disposing of 

 many caterpillars, etc. In the Southern States it has been 

 observed capturing half-grown individuals of the very destruc- 

 tive cotton- worm. P. cementarius is somewhat larger, and is 

 black with the legs partly yellow ; it provisions its nest largely with spiders. 



The genus Ammophila also contains species having the first, or first and second, 

 segments of the abdomen elongated and very slender. They construct holes in the earth 

 especially along pathways in sandy fields, where they may be seen flying up and down in 

 abundance. They are instrumental in destroying large numbers of cutworms and other 



caterpillars, which they may frequently be seen dragging 

 off to the holes burrowed where the soil is loose or sandy, 

 and in each of which are placed 

 several grubs. Ammophila hic- 

 tuosa, (Fig .5,) is an entirely black 

 species, very common in dry fields 

 in early spring, before other in- 

 sects have become abundant. 

 The other species usually observed 

 have a portion of the abdomen 

 red. (Fig. 6.) 



The sub-family Bembecinae 

 contains only three species, of 

 which Bembex fasciata is a hand- 

 some insect, much resembling the 

 •ommon wasp in size and general appearance of markings. The head, however, is broader 



Fig. 4. 



Fig. 6. 



Fig. 6. 



