330 
Psyche 
[September-December 
Hoplisoides. The genus is neotropical, ranging from Mexico 
to southern Brazil, and comprises 6 species, most of them known 
only from Brazil. Nesting behavior is largely unknown, but Bo- 
hart and Menke (1976) reported “one female Sagenista from 
Rio de Janeiro (at Mus, Washington) pinned with a large adult 
membracid, presumably its prey.” 
S. brasiliensis is the only species to have been studied in the 
field. Williams (1928) found that it was abundant near Belem, 
Brazil and excavated a nest at Jabaty, about 100 km from Belem. 
One cell contained 6 immature fulgoroid bugs, 4 being Dictyo- 
pharidae and 2 Issidae, and in another cell were 5 adult and one 
immature Issidae, representing various species. A species of Flati- 
dae was also stored by the wasp. Williams noted that the egg was 
attached laterally to the thorax of the prey. The cocoons were 
more or less enveloped by the remains of the prey and described 
as “gently rounded at the fore end and more narrowed and drawn 
out a little, nipple-like at the base.” 
S. brasiliensis was collected in Trinidad in 1935 by D. Vesey- 
FitzGerald. as 3 males and 3 females so labelled without specific 
locality are in the Museum of Comparative Zoology. I first came 
across this rather unobtrusive species on 12 March 1945 at the 
11th mile post — the highest point (550 m) — of the Arima- 
Blanchisseuse road. Here in typical upper montane rain forest 
the Northern Range is crossed by the road at a col between the 
summits of Mount El Tucuche and Morne Bleu. Two females, 
evidently searching the vegetation for prey, were taken in bright 
sunshine at about 1000 hours on low plants bordering the road- 
side, Unfortunately they were not seen capturing prey nor was 
the nesting site found. 
1 later discovered this species nesting in the Maracas Valley, 
where on 17 August 1949 a male and several females were col- 
lected. Little is known of the behavior of male gorytine wasps 
and this is the only species in which I took a male near the nesting 
site. A female was seen entering its nest carrying prey held tight- 
ly clasped beneath its body. A fly Spilogona sp. (Muscidae) was 
captured flying closely behind the wasp as it approached the nest 
burdened by its prey. Nest associates of gorytine wasps are usual- 
ly Sarcophagidae, and the shadowing behavior of this satellite 
fly does not imply that it is an inquiline, and is of unknown sig- 
nificance. The nest, which was in friable sandy soil, was excavated 
and 2 cells found at the end of a short burrow about 6 cm long. 
