VESPA CRABRO. 209 



VESPA CRABRO. 



The Hornet. 

 Pl. XXVIII. fig. 1. 



Order Hymenoptera. Family Vespadje, Leach. 



Gen. Char. Mandibles with the second tooth much 

 broader than the two under ones, the upper one 

 obtuse ; clypeus with the anterior margin broadly- 

 truncate and somewhat emarginate, with a tooth on 

 each side ; abdomen ovoid-conic, with the base 

 abruptly truncated, and very shortly pedunculated. 



Spec. Char. Antenna, obscure, with the base ferru^i- 

 nous ; head ferruginous, pubescent, with the upper 

 lip yellow ; mandibles black at the extremity ; thorax 

 black, pubescent, with the anterior portion brownish; 

 first segment of the abdomen black, with the base 

 ferruginous, and the margins yellowish, the other 

 segments black at the base, yellow at the extremity, 

 with a small black lateral point on each ; feet 

 brownish. 



Vespacrabro; Lin. Geoff. Fabr. Lair. La Gucpe Frelon, Cuv. 



Le FreloriyTr.; C a labrorie, It. ; Abispon, Sp.; Vespao,Port.; Die Hornis, Ger.; 

 Gedehams, Dan.; Bolgeting, Swed.; Truten, Russ. 



The Hornet is a much more formidable insect than the com- 

 mon Wasp, and of considerably larger size. It is common 

 throughout Europe, building its nest in hollow trees. The females, 

 having passed the winter in torpidity, early in spring issue from 

 their hiding-place, and search out a convenient place for the esta- 



T 



