162 OUR INSECT FRIENDS AND FOES 



Although the wasp shares with the Spider 

 the distinction of being generally shunned, and 

 looked upon as exceedingly dangerous, it would 

 be difficult to find two creatures that differ more 

 completely in their habits and mode of life. 

 While the Spider, like some fabulous ogre, lurks 

 within its snare, or hides its bloated-looking 

 body in some crevice or cranny, lying in wait for 

 any unwary insect which it may entrap and 

 devour ; the wasp, like a fearless warrior, in 

 uniform of black and gold, fares boldly forth, 

 and openly attacks its enemies and victims with 

 the sharp and deadly stiletto with which Nature 

 has provided it. With dauntless courage many 

 species of the wasp family will attack insects 

 considerably larger than themselves, and which, 

 in many cases, are capable of turning the tables 

 on their intrepid little assailants. 



It is not, however, as a weapon of warfare 

 that the wasp principally uses her sting ; though 

 swift to defend herself, she is really much more 

 peacefully disposed than is generally imagined, 

 and will rarely use her poisoned dart in an 

 aggressive manner unless she is irritated or 

 alarmed. It is chiefly as a means of procuring 

 the necessary animal food for her young that the 

 mother wasp uses her sting. 



The parent wasp feeds her offspring in much 

 the same way as a bird feeds her nestlings. As 

 soon as the larvae are hatched she flies off on 

 a foraging expedition to hunt for suitable food 

 for them. This consists principally of animal 

 matter and a certain proportion of fruit pulp and 

 honey. If fresh butcher's meat is available, 



