H YMENOP TER A . 653 
them are among the larger insects of the order. The family 
includes two quite distinct subfamilies. 
To the Bembecince (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. 776). They burrow 
in sand, and provision their nests with flies. 
To the Stizince (Sti-zi'nae) Fig. 77 g.— Faceof 
. . , . Bembex. l y labrum. 
belong the giants of the fam¬ 
ily. With these the labrum is shorter than the 
clypeus (Fig. 777). Our best-known represen- 
_ Faceof tative is the Cicada-killer, Sphecius speciosus 
sphccius, 1, labrum. (Sphe'ci-us spe-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.— Sphccius 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. 
