THE TWO-BANDED SCOLIA 153 



I take up my story again with a fine-sized quarry, less 

 liable to slip under the Scolia's pushes. The grub, when 

 assailed, does not curl up, does not contract into a ring, 

 like its predecessor, which was younger and but half its size. 

 It tosses about clumsily, lying on its side, half-opened. 

 Its only attempt at defence is to wriggle ; it opens, closes 

 and reopens its big mandibular hooks. The Scolia grabs 

 it at random, winds her rough, hairy legs around it and, for 

 nearly fifteen minutes, strives her hardest atop of the rich 

 dainty. 



At last, after a series of not very riotous affrays, the 

 favourable position is gained, the propitious moment 

 arrives and the sting is planted in the grub's thorax, at a 

 central spot, under the neck and level with the fore-legs. 

 The effect is instantaneous : total inertia, save in the 

 appendages of the head, the antennae and mouth-pieces. 

 I find the same results, the same prick at a precise, in- 

 variable spot, among my different operators, captured 

 from time to time with a successful stroke of the net. 



Let us say, in conclusion, that the attack delivered 

 by the Interrupted Scolia is much less fiery than that of 

 her two-banded sister. This rough, sand-digging Hymen- 

 op teron has a clumsy gait and stiff, almost automatic 

 movements. She does not easily repeat her dagger- 

 thrust. Most of those with whom I experimented refused 

 a second victim on the day after their exploits and on the 

 following day. Half -asleep, they grew excited only 

 when stimulated through my teasing them with a straw. 

 Nor does the Two-banded Scolia, that more agile, more 

 enthusiastic huntress, invariably unsheath when invited 

 so to do. All those Nimrods are liable to moments of 

 inaction which the presence of a new prey will not succeed 

 in disturbing. 



20 



