File:Masarinae nest, The Cambridge natural history (1895).jpg

English: Text Appearing Before Image: MASARIDAE and most of its components appear to be Insects of the greatest rarity. In their appearance the Insects of this Family differ con- siderably from the other Diploptera, and as the wings are only imperfectly, or not at all, plicate, it must be admitted that the systematic affinities of the group require reconsideration. The pronotal structure is, however, completely that of Diploptera. The typical form of the Family, Masaris vespiforviis, though described a hundred years since, is a species of such ex- treme rarity, and its sexes are so different, that entomologists have only recently • been able to agree about it. It has been found in Egypt and Algeria. The genera Ceramius, Jugurthia, Quartenia and Coelonites are also members of the Mediterranean fauna, while Paragia is Australian, and Trimeria South American. Several species of the genus Masaris inhabit North America, and Cresson has recently described another Masarid genus from the same country, under the name of Euparagia. The little that is known of their natural history is almost limited to an account given by Giraud of the habits of Ceraviius lusitanicus, of which species he found a colony near Brianqon. The Insect makes nests in the earth ; they are entered by means of a chimney-like passage analogous to what is formed by certain Odynerus ; the gallery when completed is about six centimetres lona;, and at its extremity is an earthen cell in which the larva lives; this is fed by the mother, who brings to it from time to time a supply of a paste, described as being somewhat like dried honey. The growth Fic. 36.— Cells constructed f> , 1 1 -IT 1 J, 1 • 1 by Coelonites ahhveviaius. 01 the larva is believed to be rapid. (^jj^j, Andre.) Some fragmentary observations made by Lichtenstein on Coelonites abireviatus have also been recorded. This species, near Montpellier, constructs earthen cells; they are not, however, subterranean, but are placed side by side on the dry stems of plants (Fig. 3 6); these cells are stored with a material similar to that supplied by Ceramius lusitanicus to its young.