. The American entomologist. Entomology. species, belonging to widely distinct genera, prey upon spiders. St. Fargeau, however, has correctly remarked, that in no known case, does any Digger Wasp provision its nest with other Digger Wasps, cither belonging to its own species, or to any other species.* The habits of comparativelj' but few North Ameri- can species have been hitherto observed; but it was long ago recorded by Catesby that a common Blue Dig- ger Wasp (Chlori- on c(sruleuin,T)v\\- ry. Fig. 97), makes its nest iu the earth, and provis- ions it with a spi. der greatly larger than itse
. The American entomologist. Entomology. species, belonging to widely distinct genera, prey upon spiders. St. Fargeau, however, has correctly remarked, that in no known case, does any Digger Wasp provision its nest with other Digger Wasps, cither belonging to its own species, or to any other species.* The habits of comparativelj' but few North Ameri- can species have been hitherto observed; but it was long ago recorded by Catesby that a common Blue Dig- ger Wasp (Chlori- on c(sruleuin,T)v\\- ry. Fig. 97), makes its nest iu the earth, and provis- ions it with a spi. der greatly larger than itself;t and we have ourselves observed a very common Digger coior-iiKUgo blue. -^^asp (Bembex fasciata, Fabr.), a iigure of which will be found below, burrowing in a sandy spot of ground, and provisioning the nests which it has thus constructed, with the common shining, green blow-fly {Musca Ccesar, Linn). We have observed, too, on passing over sandy plains frequented by these last insects, that they will pale grtenish-white. often fly rouud and round one's person in rather an alarming manner, though we have never known them to sting under such circumstances. Their object, no doubt, is to distract the attention of the intruder, and prevent him from noticing or dis- turbing their nests. St. Fargeau observed similar facts with regard to a Eui-opeau species (J3. rostrata)—which, like our common species, provisions its nest with two-winged flies—and states that, as soon as he set himself down a little way off, and remained perfectly still, the insects took no further notice of It is a good illustration of what has been called the ?7?!/^yo/7/ff6(7s in insects, that all the species of this genus, the habits of which are known, whether in Europe, or in America, provision their nests with two-winged flies {Diptern), and exclusively with such as belong to the Sec- ond Grand Division (Brachycera) of the order. The rapidity with which the Digger Wasps •St. , Hijmenopt, U
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1860, booksubjectentomology, bookyear1
