460 INSECTS ABEOAD. 



especially in the genus Ammopliila. This word is formed 

 from the Greek, and literally signifies "sand-lover," because 

 the insects always select sandy spots for the purpose of forming 

 their burrows. All the Ammophiles have similar habits, and 

 our own familiar species, Ammopliila sabulosa, affords a very ex- 

 cellent example of the manner in which insects of this genus 

 prepare the homes for their future young. The mother insect 

 selects a suitable spot, and then digs a tolerably deep burrow, 

 rather narrow in diameter, except at the bottom, where it is 

 widened into a chamber. She never drops the excavated soil 

 near the mouth of the burrow, but canies it out between the 

 jaws, flies to a little distance, and then, with a peculiar jerk, 

 scatters the sand in a shower. Mr. Westwood has given a 

 detailed account of this process in the " Transactions of the 

 Entomological Society," vol. i. 



The burrow being made, the Sand Wasp, as the creature is 

 popularly termed, goes off in search of a spider, or caterpillar, 

 or an insect of some kind, which is destined to serve as food for 

 the future young. The prey is seized firmly in the grasp of the 

 long legs, and is at once disabled by the sting, which, however, 

 does not kill it at once, but paralyses it and prevents its escape. 

 She then drags the disabled prey towards the burrow, her wings 

 buzzing loudly and her whole movements full of fiery energy. 

 Having reached the burrow, she transfers the insect to her 

 jaws, and begins to descend the burrow backwards, dragging 

 the insect after her. 



Now comes the use of the enlarged chamber. Were the 

 burrow to be of the same size throughout, the Sand Wasp 

 would not be able to get out again, but the chamber allows 

 space for her to walk round the insect, when she deposits an Q^g. 

 Sometimes she goes off and fetches more insects, but this 

 depends entirely upon the size of the prey which she at first' 

 brought in. I very much doubt whather the Ammophila 

 restricts herself to one kind of victim, and think that she wUl 

 take either spider or caterpillar, as may be most convenient at 

 the time. Thus she proceeds until she has deposited her whole 

 stock of eggs, when she dies, the labour of her life being over. 



The larva is a white, footless grub, with small head, armed 

 with strong teeth, and generally bent in a double curve, like the 

 letter S. When it is full fed it spins a double cocoon, the outer 



