Some Solitary ^yasps of Texas. 5 



1898. It was this work which first induced me to take up the 

 study of solitary wasps as a summer's recreative work and from 

 which I have derived many helpful suggestions in my study. The 

 remaining literature on the subject comprises short papers that 

 record, for the most part, only individual observations. 



Most of the observations recorded in the present paper were made 

 in July, August and September of 1903. The work was not done 

 continuously during this time, but in periods of from three to four- 

 teen days, because of frequent interruptions, chiefly on account of 

 rains, which were very heavy and long continued, drowning out 

 many wasp larvae. 



The scene of action of these exciting dramas of insect life was 

 the sandy woods five miles southeast of Austin, on the high south 

 bank of the Colorado River. The woods are a favorable place for 

 studying solitary wasps, for they are numerous both in species and 

 individuals and it is. moreover, easy to observe and to follow them 

 because the sandy soil will support but a sparse vegetation, in which, 

 in less favorable places, a wasp is often lost to view. In point of 

 comfort to the observer, the woods offer a decided advantage, for, 

 in the first place, he can often make use of the inviting shade of the 

 spreading post-oak and hickory trees, though he often has to resort 

 to his umbrella for protection against the burning rays of the sun. 

 Wasps, it must be remembered, revel in hot, clear days and work 

 best in the heat of noon-day when the mercury is flirting with the 

 100 mark. Indeed, on dreary days most of the wasps wiJi not 

 work at all, but will fly listlessly about, sipping nectar from the 

 flowers. The second point of comfort is derived from the absence 

 of "red bugs" and ticks. These pestiferous creatures are found 

 on vegetation and since almost the only herbs found in the woods 

 are grass-burs and bull-nettles, which one assiduously avoids any- 

 how, it follows that one collects few, if any, "red bugs" and ticks in 

 the place in question. 



The observations are recorded below by species and theoretical 

 considerations have been intercolated wherever it was deemed nec- 

 essary or desirable. These latter have been summed up in the 

 "Conclusions" at the end. 



I wish to take this opportunity of thanking Dr. S. Graenicher of 

 Milwaukee and Dr. H. W. Ashmead of the Smithsonian for tiie 

 identification of the Solitary and the Parasitic Wasps. 



