CH. V] WASPS 143 



the cocoon, and the pupa (chrysalis) stage is reached. 

 Instead of a legless grub we now find a creature provided 

 with distinct head, thorax and abdomen and their respec- 

 tive appendages, viz. : antennae, jaws resembling those of a 

 mature wasp, three pairs of legs and two pairs of wings. 

 These appendages are folded against the body and the 

 whole is of a semi-transparent white colour. It differs 

 from the familiar pupa of a butterfly or moth only in 

 the fact that the parts do not become firmly glued to- 

 gether and hard, but remain soft and easily separable 

 from one another. In short it persists in the condition 

 that is found for the first half-hour or so of pupal life in 

 a Lepidopterous insect. No food is taken during this 

 period, but elaborate internal changes and re-arrangements 

 are effected at the expense of the .stores of fat already 

 accumulated within the body of the grub-larva. It is not 

 until several days have passed, and the pupal period is 

 drawing to a close, that any power of movement is mani- 

 fested even though the pupa be extracted from its cocoon. 

 Gradually the imago or perfect wasp becomes visible 

 through the skin of the pupa which at length bursting 

 open sets free from its shroud the head and eventually 

 the entire body. 



The young imago soon attacks the floor of the cocoon 

 with her mandibles, bites a way through and crawls out 

 upon the lower surface of the comb. The development 

 from the egg to the imago occupies about a month or six 

 weeks, according to the temperature. A spell of cold wet 

 weather much delays progress and may prove fatal to the 

 larvae and the entire community. As yet the body is moist 



