Sphex. HYMENOPTERA. ,g 9 



The ftemmata three in number. 



The wings extended, incumbent, without 

 folds, and the under ones fhorter than the 

 upper ones. 



The abdomen of an oblong form. 



The (ling pointed, and concealed within 

 the abdomen. 



A great number of exotic infects have lately 

 been brought from different countries, which 

 would certainly belong to this genus, if they 

 were not provided with long membranaceous 

 tongues, like thofe of the Bee, from which 

 genus other circumftances again feparate them. 

 Whether or no thefe infects differ genericaily 

 from the Sphex does not appear to have been 

 determined. 



Many fpecies of this genus are common in 

 England -, they are chiefly found in woods and 

 hedges -, their larvse feed upon dead infects, in 

 the bodies of which they are produced from the 

 egg; fome fpecies dig holes in the earth with 

 their fore feet, like dogs, in which holes they 

 bury dead infects, chiefly fpiders or Lepidopte- 

 rous larvae, and after having depofued their eggs 



in 

 i 



