in] FOSSORES OR DIGGER-WASPS 23 



making at first short, subsequently longer, ex- 

 cursions in every direction round the burrow, and 

 constantly assuring herself that she could find her 

 way back. This exploration was gradually extended 

 over a radius of several yards, in the course of which 

 survey I myself and my entomological paraphernalia 

 were subjected to a minute scrutiny. Eventually the 

 wasp darted ofl^ and for a long while was not in 

 evidence. At length she returned astride of a large 

 green caterpillar about half as long again as herself, 

 and many times heavier. Quickly and straight to her 

 burrow did she convey this paralysed burden: the 

 covering of sand and the stone plug were removed 

 and the caterpillar taken out of sight. Soon she re- 

 appeared, again carefully covered up the mouth of 

 the burrow, and departed on a second hunt. This 

 time it was a brown caterpillar of another species, 

 but about the same size as the first victim. The same 

 proceedings were gone through again, but after the 

 hole had been covered up and carefully hidden, the 

 little huntress sat resting in the sun for a few minutes. 

 Then she flew off and began digging another burrow 

 a few yards away. Exhumation of the two caterpillars 

 revealed a large white egg firmly fastened upon the 

 right side of the first victim. 



A. sabulosa,be it noted, supplies her young one with 

 two large caterpillars, and thereafter takes no further 

 interest in its welfare. In this particular the behaviour 



