POLISTES 



POLISTES is a charming little social 

 wasp, with the paper-building in- 

 stinct on one hand, and the general appear- 

 ance of the solitary wasp on the other. 



Her pretty paper combs are hidden away 

 in bushes, or hung up in out-buildings, 

 and they are never covered with a protect- 

 ing outer wall. She has no fear of fresh 

 air, and her offspring grow up blown about 

 by every breeze that passes their dainty 

 cradle cells. Her nest is small 

 compared with that of Vespa, 

 and her family are few in num- 

 bers. 



In form she is long and slender, and in 

 colour she is brown with reddish spots on 

 the big end of her abdomen, and some- 

 times with one or more yellow rings about 

 her body. 



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