284 IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE 



much pleased to find a family in normal condition. An ex- 

 amination showed that there were still eggs and young larvae 

 iu the new nest, beside pupae and seven adult females. I was 

 so curious about the new discovery that four stings were the 

 net result of the first day's observation. On September 4, 

 there was only one egg still unhatched but no males had ap- 

 peared. It was not until September 10, that the first male 

 emerged. He was recognized instantly by his lighter color 

 and bright yellow face. The seven segments of the abdomen 

 and the absence of a sting established the sex beyond cpies- 

 tion. For several days about as many males emerged as fe- 

 males, but soon the males predominated. By the 21st of Sep- 

 tember more males remained at the nest than females. Since 

 as many wasps were deserting the nest as were emerging 

 from the pupal state, there was no permanent increase in the 

 population. 



The last larva died on October 3d. It was nearly grown but 

 apparently had not increased in size for many days. Appar- 

 ently it was fed just enough to keep it alive but not enough to 

 enable it to complete its development. It was about the size of 

 one that was hatched on August 10th. Although the date of 

 the hatching of this particular larva had not been noted, indica- 

 tions were that it was about the same age. If so it lived for 

 about fifty days without being able to complete its develop- 

 ment. At that time there were a few sealed cells from which 

 pupae were still to emerge and one lone female remained at the 

 nest. The season had been so abnormal that it was impossible 

 to make satisfactory observations on which to base an estimate 

 of the normal period required to complete the life cycle. It so 

 happened that something happened to every larva marked to 

 ascertain the time of the larval period and it was evident 

 that the variation was so great on account of variable weather 

 conditions that the period required by a single one would have 

 been of little value. While I am hopeful of getting more satis- 

 factory information concerning the periods of development an- 

 other season I have no expectation of again attempting to rear 

 ;■ family of wasps by hand. 



Office of State Apiarist, 

 Atlantic, Iowa. 



