There really seems to be scarcely any genus of insect that is not seized upon by one or other of these burrowers, and packed away in a half living state to form food for their young. There is one of these solitary burrowing wasps called the _Astata boops_, deriving its specific name from its large round eyes, which in the male completely unite at the back of the head. The abdomen is shaped something like a boy's peg-top, or a symmetrical turnip, the peg of the top, or the point of the turnip, corresponding to the top of the abdomen. Its length is about half an inch, and its colour is black, with a rust-red patch on the end of the abdomen.
There is a remarkably pretty, and very variable, sand-wasp, which is plentiful in most parts of the country. The colour is black, and the abdomen is banded by four yellow bars. Its feet are also yellow. Mr. Smith has written a very interesting account of the proceedings of this insect.
"Having frequently observed the habits of the type of this genus, _Mellinus arvensis_, and reared it from the larva state, a few observations are here recorded. When the parent insect has formed a burrow of the required length, and enlarged the extremity into a chamber of proper dimensions, she issues forth in search of the proper nutriment for her young; this consists of various dipterous insects: species of various genera are equally adapted to her purpose--_Muscidæ_, _Syrphidæ_, &c., are captured.
"It is amusing to see four or five females lie in wait upon a patch of cow-dung until some luckless fly settles on it. When this happens, a cunning and gradual approach is made; a sudden attempt would not succeed. The fly is the insect of quickest flight, therefore a degree of intrigue is necessary. This is managed by running past the victim slowly, and apparently in an unconcerned manner, until the poor fly is caught unawares, and carried off by the Mellinus to its burrow. The first fly being deposited, an egg is laid. The necessary number of flies are soon secured, and her task is completed. Sometimes she is interrupted by rainy weather, and it is some days ere she can store up the quantity required.
"A larva found feeding became full-fed in ten days. Six flies were devoured, the heads, harder parts of the throat, portions of the abdomen, and the legs, being left untouched. The larva spins a tough, thin, brown silken cocoon, passes the winter and spring in the larva state, changes to the nymph on the approach of summer, and appears about the beginning of autumn in the perfect state."