THE TARANTULAS 123 



scribed, and bending her abdomen under the venter of the 

 tarantula, introduces the sting between the third and fourth 

 right coxae, close to the sternum. The tarantula struggles vio- 

 lently and rolls with the Pepsis over and over on the ground. 

 After a few struggles, the Pepsis lets go her hold on the taran- 

 tula, walks off a couple of paces, turns and comes directly 

 toward the jaws of the tarantula. Without the slightest hesi- 

 tation, she slips under the tarantula, which raises as high as she 

 can on all her legs. The Pepsis grabs the fourth left leg with her 

 mandibles. The tarantula tries to bite here enemy, but the Pepsis 

 holds her off by pressing her feet against the feet of the spider, 

 while at the same time continuing her hold on the fourth leg 

 with her mandibles. Meanwhile, she bends her abdomen and 

 searches for the place to pierce with her sting. Now she finds it. 

 It is the same place as in the first specimen, that is, the articula- 

 tion membrane between maxilla, first leg, sternum and lip. In 

 a few seconds the tarantula is paralyzed. The position of the 

 two is very remarkable. The tarantula sits in her normal way, 

 but the Pepsis lies on her right side, head toward the posterior 

 end of the tarantula, sting in the place mentioned. After at least 

 half a minute, the Pepsis withdraws her sting and walks off. 

 The tarantula remains motionless. Presently one leg of the 

 tarantula moves. The Pepsis returns, climbs on the tarantula, in- 

 serts her sting between the sternum and the third coxa and holds 

 it there for about a minute. 20 



All that remains is the transport of the heavy spider, often 

 weighing eight or ten times as much as the wasp, to its grave, which 

 may have already been dug. Once the victim is within the pre- 

 pared cavity, an egg is deposited on its abdomen and the burrow 

 sealed up. The paralyzed spider provides a fresh food supply for 

 the larva of the wasp, and, though remaining alive for months, 

 will almost never recover from the effects of the venom. 



The tarantula reacts to its enemies in various ways. By throw- 

 ing itself back on its haunches and elevating its head to expose for- 

 midable fangs, it assumes a defensive attitude that may frighten 

 away timid adversaries. If a tormenter persists in goading the 

 spider, it often elevates its abdomen, and, working its hind legs 

 rapidly, scrapes loose a small cloud of extremely fine abdominal 



20 A. Petrunkevitch, "Tarantula versus Tarantula-Hawk: A Study in In- 

 stinct," Journ. Exper. Zoo/., Vol. 45 (1926), p. 381. 



