192 WASPS AND THEIR WAYS 



The " mud-dauber " is the best known 

 of the soh'tary wasps, as it makes itself at 

 home in our attics and outbuildings, where 

 it constructs the little mud nests so familiar 

 to every one. 



It belongs to the division of digger 

 wasps, and while in a general way these 

 are constructed like the true wasps, they 

 differ in certain particulars. 



Unlike Vespa and Polistes, the eyes of 

 the daubers are not cut across by a semi- 

 lunar line, but are large and projecting; 

 and unlike the true wasps in general, 

 the wings of the mud-dauber, as of all 

 the diggers, are not folded fan-like down 

 the middle. 



There are a number of minor character- 

 istics distinguishing the digger from the 

 true wasps, but the wings are the most 

 readily observed, and are enough for ordi- 

 nary purposes. 



The mud-dauber, or Pelopasus, is in 

 appearance an elegant dame. 



