iv] DIPLOPTERA 43 



with impunity the great length of the antennae is 

 so noticeable that a disagreeable mistake is not likely 

 to occur when once the captor has seen a drone. 



The structure and general economy of a wasp's 

 nest will be best understood from a narration of the 

 history of this wonderful piece of insect architecture 





Fig. 7. Diagram of wasp's nest at an early stage 



ap. entrance to nest. c. comb. 1, 2. 1st and 2nd coverings 

 now largely removed to make room for growing comb. 3, 4, 5. 

 corresponding coverings still complete. 6. 6th covering as yet 

 not finished. 



ab initio. The young "queens" having mated with 

 drones in the previous autumn retire into winter 

 quarters. Any snug corner may serve as a suitable 

 spot for hibernation, e.g. the folds of a curtain, the 

 corner of an outhouse, thatch, thick and fairly dry 

 moss. Having selected her resting place the "queen" 



