304 WASPS AND THEIR WAYS 



There have been various guesses as to 

 why this tower is built by the wasp (Ody- 

 nerus murarius). Is it to protect the 

 young larva from the heat of the sun ? 

 Is it to keep out the parasitic flies that 

 naturally would be discouraged from 

 entering into any such deep, dangerous 

 tunnel ? 



Man may question, but Odynerus does 

 not reply. While he speculates upon her 

 object in doing so she continues to build 

 her mysterious towers before his eyes quite 

 indifferent to his presence or his curiosity. 



One sometimes sees a brilliant scarlet 

 and black insect, wingless, ant-like in form, 

 but clothed with a thick velvety coat, has- 

 tening along a path or a roadside. 



One's first impulse is to catch it, but 

 second thoughts in this case are decidedly 

 the best; for this gorgeous "velvet ant,'' as 

 it is called, is not an ant at all, but a wasp. 

 Although it is so unwasp-like as to have no 

 wings, it retains its sting without diminu- 



