HYMENOPTERA. 



243 



rior edge of the mesothorax on either side is modified 

 in such a way as to suggest a second pair of lappets ; 

 the basal joints of the lower wings move freely under 

 these modified portions. The abdomen is connected 

 with the thorax by an extremely small waist, and can 

 be raised some distance before coming in contact with 

 the thorax. The legs of Vespa are shorter and with 

 fewer bristles than those of Sphex. 



These wasps live in colonies and build their homes 

 of paper. Harris happily calls them "■ natural paper- 

 makers," as they scrape off wood with their mandibles, 

 chew it, and convert it into the coarse pulp which is 

 used in making their nests. The eggs are laid in the 

 cells of these nests. The larva (Fig. 195, f) looks 

 not unlike the larva of the bee and fly, but the forward 

 end of the body is much larger than the posterior end. 

 This is owing, probably, to the position of the lar\^a 



