n 



Fig. 7. 



and flatter, and the yellowish bands on the abdomen are widely interrupted in the middle. 

 It occurs in dry fields, not very abundantly, and constructs in them burrows which are 

 stored with flies and other insects captured in its flight, B. Monodonta is a smaller 

 insect, having broad white bands across the abdomen. Monedula ventralis is intermediate 



in size between the two former species and is more com- 

 mon than either : its markings more resembling those of 

 the first. 



The Nyssoninse are insects found during the summer 

 upon flowering plants, and are smaller than those of the 

 preceding sub-families. Nysson is characterized by having 

 the metathorax spinous at the hinder angles. Alyson 

 contains several species of slender insects met with (at 

 least in this locality) most abundantly upon golden-rod, 

 especially when, as is frequently the case, it is badly 

 infested by aphides. Three species of the genus Gorytes, 

 (Fig. 7,) occur, which are more wasp-like in appearance 

 and frequent spiraea, golden-rod, etc. 



The sub-families, Philanthinse, Pemphredoninse and Orabroninse, contain insects 

 similar in general appearance, having the same habits, and which can conveniently be 

 grouped as regards the Canadian species in one family, as has been done by Provencher, 

 with the title Crabronidce. 



Its members, sometimes known as ' wood-wasps,' are all small or of moderate size, 

 the largest species — Crabro singularis — not being so big a3 the ordinary wasp. Many of 

 there are quite wasp-like in appearance, their general colour being black with yellow 

 markings, while others have the abdomen either elongated or pedicled. The heads of these 

 insects are usually large in proportion to the remainder of their bodies, especially is this 

 the case in the genus Crabro. "We have about fifty species divided into about fifteen 

 genera : the typical genus Crabro containing nearly two-fifths of the species. They are 

 most frequently met with upon flowers such as golden-rod, etc. 



The various species of Crabro bore holes in dead wood, or avail themselves of the 

 deserted burrows of other insects, and provision these with dipterous or other insects. 

 Those of Rhopalum excavate the pithy stems of elder, etc. The males of Thrycopus have 

 the front legs curiously flattened, so as to be of leaf-bke structure, and by this peculiarity 

 may be easily distinguished from any other of our Hymenoptera. 



This family contains the " true wasps " and our species are grouped in two sub- 

 families, of which the first, Eumeninse, includes those species which are soiitary in their 

 habits. Of Eumenes, Fig. 8, a, we have only one 

 or two species, black with yellow markings, and 

 distinguished from the following genus by the 

 long pedicle which connects the abdomen to the 

 thorax. They construct curious flask-shaped 

 cells of mud (Fig. 8, b c,) on the stems of plants 

 or twigs of trees. Odynerus contains at least a 

 dozen species, which differ little, except in size, 

 and which make mud cells in crevices, hollow 

 stones, under stones, etc. Odynerus capra, one 

 of the larger species, has been observed by Rev. 

 Mr. Fyles, of Quebec (as stated by him at the 

 annual meeting of the Entomological Society) to 

 attack the larvse of the currant sawfly (Nematus 

 ven/riensus). It is to be hoped that this habit will become prevalent among these insects, 

 and that they may take large numbers of the obnoxious grubs to fill their cells. 



The " social wasps " are to be found in the sub family Vespinse. Those of the genus 

 Vespa are the builders of the large papery structures which the average schoolboy (or 



Fig. 8. 



