H YMENOP TERA . 



653 



them are among the larger insects of the order. The family 

 includes two quite distinct subfamilies. 



To the BembecifKB (Bem-be-ci^nse) belong the smaller 

 forms, which are usually black with greenish 

 or greenish-yellow bands. With these the 

 labrum is longer than the clypeus, forming 

 a triangular beak (Fig. T]€). They burrow 

 in sand, and provision their nests with flies. 



To the Sthhice (Sti-zi'nse) Fig. 776.— Face of 



Bembex. /, labrum. 



belong the giants of the fam- 

 ily. With these the labrum is shorter than the 

 clypeus (Fig. T]^^* Our best-known represen- 

 . tative is the Cicada-killer, Sphecius speciosus 



Fig. 777.— Face of ^ . 



sphecius. /, labrum. (Sphc'ci-us spc-ci-o^sus). It is a formidable in- 

 sect, measuring one and one fourth inches in length. It is 

 black, sometimes of a rusty color, and has the abdomen 

 banded with yellow (Fig. 778). It digs burrows in the earth. 



Fig. 778. — Sphecius speciosus. 



two feet or more in depth, and provisions each with a Cica- 

 da. Many a Cicada-song has been suddenly silenced because 

 the singer was pounced upon and carried off alive but help- 

 less to be buried in the den of this fierce, handsome insect 

 of prey. 



