The Hunting Wasps 



as possible; consequently it receives the 

 Wasp's three dagger-thrusts. But the 

 others, whose torpor deepens the older they 

 grow, the others, whom the larva attacks 

 after it has gained in strength: do they need 

 to be operated on as carefully? Might not 

 one prick be enough, or two pricks, the effects 

 of which would spread little by little while the 

 grub is consuming its first ration? The 

 poison-fluid is too precious for the Wasp to 

 lavish it unnecessarily: it is hunting-ammuni- 

 tion, to be employed with due economy. At 

 any rate, though I have witnessed three con- 

 secutive stabs given to the same victim, at 

 other times I have seen only two ad- 

 ministered. It is true that the quivering tip 

 of the Sphex' abdomen seemed to be seeking 

 the favourable spot for a third wound; but, 

 if it was really given, it escaped me. I should 

 therefore be inclined to think that the victim 

 forming the first ration is always stabbed 

 thrice, whereas the others, from motives of 

 economy, receive only two stings. Our study 

 of the Ammophilae, who hunt Caterpillars, 

 will confirm this suspicion later. 



After devouring the last Cricket, the larva 

 sets about weaving its cocoon. The work 

 is finished well within forty-eight hours. 



lOO 



