Spider-hunting Wasps. 



Photo ')): [/:. step, F.L.S. 



Emperor Caterpillar. 



This is one of the most beautiful of our catcr- 

 jiillars, the colour being a bright green studded 

 with pink or yellow warts, which bear tufts of 



black bristles. Natural size. 



appears to be a necessity, seeing tliat it has to pro- 

 tect the chrysahs all through the winter when leafy 

 shelter is deficient. We find, therefore, that its 

 cocoon varies between white and brown according 

 to the situation chosen, the tint being that which 

 will best disguise it under the circumstances. 



Spider-hunting Wasps. 



There are many solitary wasps who agree in the 

 habit of mining in the ground, in order to make 

 provision for their offspring. Wasp-grubs require 

 animal matter for their aliment, so the wasp has to 

 hunt for caterpillars, spiders, or flies with which to 

 stock the larder. Certain species restrict their hunt- 

 ing entirely to spiders, others to grasshoppers, others 

 to caterpillars of a particular family of moths, and 

 yet others will take nothing but cockroaches. The 

 catching of caterpillars is a simple matter to a wasp, 

 for its prey has no means of protecting itself. (See 

 coloured plate.) The grasshopper's activity and 

 leaping powers give it a sporting chance ; but the 

 spider has to be approached wearily, for its poison- 

 fangs might put it upon equal terms with the wasp, were it not for the wings of 

 the latter, which give it considerable advantage in 

 manoeuvring. However, the wasp has a due sense 

 of the respect to be paid to those poison-fangs, the 

 additional pair of legs, and the possibility of having 

 strong cords wound around one ; she, therefore, 

 resorts to strategy when hunting spiders. 



There are a number of spider-hunting wasps 

 belonging to several distinct genera. ^ They have 

 a broad head, a robust fore-body, and a spindle- 

 shaped hind-body which is never stalked, though 

 there is a distinct waist. The hind-legs are long and 

 extend far beyond the body. These legs give them 

 great powers of running, and they may frequently be 

 seen racing over the ground, or on tree-trunks and 

 palings in search of their prey, the wings and 

 antennae in rapid vibration, as though the wasps 

 are labouring under considerable excitement. There 

 are some differences in the method of working : 

 thus, Calicurgus will seek for a ready-made hole in 

 preference to mining one for herself. Pompilus, 

 though a true and efhcient miner, believes in the 

 cookerv adage — " hrst catch yowY hare " — for she 



Photo by] 



[E. Step. r.LS. 



Emperor Cocoon. 



This cocoon is constructed on the principle 

 of the lobsler trap reversed. The narrow 

 end consists of straight threads «hos«- ends 

 converge, so that it is easy to get ovit, but 

 difficult to get in. 



Calicurgus, Pompilus, Pepsis, etc. 



