BLACK-OAK ASSOCIATION 



231 



a) Subterranean-ground stratum. — Several digger-wasps and para- 

 sites not found in the earlier stages occur among the more closely placed 

 vegetation here (Epeolus pusillus, a parasite, Specodes dichroa, and Ody- 

 nerus anormis). A megachilid or leaf-cutter makes a nicely matched 

 thimble-shaped cell. This cell is placed at the end of a burrow about 

 2 in. below the surface of the sand. The burrow is about 4 in. long. The 

 leaf-cutter is attacked by a parasitic bee (Coeloixys rufitarsus) which 

 lays its eggs upon the larval cell. One sunny day we found the digger- 

 wasp (Ammophila procera) (173) with a black-oak caterpillar {Nadata 





206 

 Representatives of the Black-Oak Community 



Fig. 206. — One of the solitary wasps (Ammophila procera), with the oak-feeding 

 larva (Nadata gibbosa), which it has carried to a point near its nest and laid upon the 

 ground; i\ times natural size. 



Fig. 207. — Female crab spider (Misumessus asperatus) (after Emerton) ; enlarged. 



Fig. 208. — Male of same. 



Figs. 209a, 2096. — The flatbug (Neurodenus simplex) which lives under the bark 

 on the dead oaks. 209a is a side view, much enlarged. 



gibbosa) (Fig. 206) (137). When first observed, the larva was lying on 

 the ground and the wasp was moving about some 6 in. away. As we 

 approached, the Ammophila, apparently disturbed, seized the large 

 caterpillar and ran into the adjoining vegetation, where it was captured. 

 All the forms mentioned as breeding beneath sand, feed at the surface 

 of the soil or upon the vegetation. In open places among the black 

 oak we find the same grasshoppers as in the earlier stages. The hog-nosed 

 snake (40) is common; it spreads and flattens out its head when dis- 

 turbed; when handled roughly it often goes into a death feint, such as 

 the oriental snake-charmers produce in their poisonous snakes by pres- 



