14 THE SOLITARY WASPS. 



when it was touched it rolled about almost £s these larvae do in 

 a healthy state, and yet the egg was not shaken off. The cater- 

 pillar which received but a single sting, although not motionless, 

 would have been a safer repository for the egg than either of 

 these. Others fulfilled Fabre's condition perfectly, lying im- 

 movable except when stimulated and then responding only by a 

 slight quivering of the legs or skin. 



To show more exactly the amount of variation we quote 

 from our notes on the subject. These notes were made from 

 day to day. 



No. 15. July 13. Took two caterpillars from nest just after the sec- 

 ond one had been put in. Both move posterior end of body without 

 stimulation. 



July 14, A. M. Caterpillars both alive. The egg has hatched and 

 the one to which the larva is attached wriggles violently and con- 

 stantly rears up at anterior end. P. M. Wasp larva eating. Caterpil- 

 lar moves but little. The second caterpillar is still lively, moving at 

 posterior end. 



July 15. Wasp larva has grown large and green. The caterpillar does 

 not move and the posterior half has turned yellow. The second cater- 

 pillar moves only when stimulated and then only at the posterior end. 



July 17, 7:20 P. M. The second caterpillar is alive and moves when 

 stimulated. 



July 18, 9 A. M. The second caterpillar is dead. The anterior two- 

 thirds of the venter are green but the rest of the body has turned 

 brown. It lived four days and a half after being stung. The wasp 

 larva is still at work on the first caterpillar. — 6:30 P. M. The wasp 

 larva has just begun to eat the second caterpillar. 



July 19, 10 A. M. The wasp larva has eaten nearly a.ll of the second 

 cateiT)illar since last night. Have placed earth in bottom of tube to 

 see whether it will spin its cocoon. 



July 21, 9 A. M. Larva has just spun cocoon. It ate half of the in- 

 side of the second caterpillar, evidently without regard to the vital 

 organs, taking everj^thing as it came. The length of the cocoon is 

 14 mm., and the greatest width 6 mm. Color, light yellow. 



No. 22. July 23, 9 A. M. Took from the nest the caterpillar which 

 we saw stung yesterday.* It was much quieter than those in the nest 



*This caterpillar had been stung in seven places, at the anterior and 

 posterior ends. Owing to some disturbing element the egg, instead 

 of being laid upon it, was dropped on the ground. 



