The Hunting Wasps 



on that expanse of sand; it has alighted some- 

 where near its home, of which it will now 

 seek the entrance, concealed after its last exit 

 not only by the natural falling-in of the ma- 

 terials but also by the Wasp's own careful 

 sweeping? But no: the Bembex does not 

 hesitate at all, does not grope about, does 

 not seek. By common consent, the antennae 

 are looked upon as organs for guiding insects 

 in their searches. At this moment of the 

 return to the nest, I see nothing particular in 

 the play of the antennae. Without once let- 

 ting go her prey, the Bembex scratches a lit- 

 tle in front of her, at the very spot where she 

 has alighted, gives a push with her head and 

 straightway enters, with the Fly under her 

 abdomen. The sand falls in, the door closes 

 and the Wasp is at home. 



It makes no difference that I have seen the 

 Bembex return to her nest hundreds of 

 times; it is always with fresh astonishment 

 that I behold the keen-sighted insect find 

 without hesitation a door whose presence 

 there is nothing to indicate. This door, in 

 fact, is hidden with jealous care, not now, 

 after the Bembex has gone in for the ob- 

 literating sand does not become quite level 

 of its own weight, but leaves perhaps a slight 

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