270 



ENTOMOLOGY 



SOCIAL WASPS 



The Social Wasps constitute the family Vespidae, of which we have 

 three genera, namely, Vespa, Polistes and Polybia, the last genus being 

 represented by a single Californian species. 



Vespa. Some species of Vespa, as V. maculata, make a nest which 

 consists of several tiers of cells protected by an envelope (Fig. 285), at- 

 taching the nest frequently to a tree; other species, as germanica and 

 vulgaris, make a nest underground. The paper of which the nests are 

 composed is manufactured from weather-worn shreds of wood, which are 

 torn off by the mandibles and then masticated with a secreted fluid 

 which cements the paper and makes it waterproof. 



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FIG. 285. Nest of wasp, Vespa maculata. /I, outer aspect; B, with envelope cut away to 



show combs. Greatly reduced. 



A solitary queen founds the colony in spring; she starts the nest, 

 lays eggs, feeds the young and brings forth the first workers; these then 

 relieve her continue the building operations, collect food, nurse the 

 young, in short, assume the burden of the labor. In the latter part of 

 summer, fertile males and females appear and pairing occurs. Though 

 the statement has often been made that only the young queens survive 

 the winter, there is some reason to believe that not only the queens but 

 also males and workers may hibernate successfully in the nest. 



The larvae are fed at first, by regurgitation, upon the sugary nectar of 

 flowers and the juices of fruits, and later upon more substantial food, 

 such as the softer parts of caterpillars, flies, bees, etc., reduced to a pulp 

 by mastication; occasionally wasps steal honey from bees. 



