128 HYMENOPTEEA. 



green. It is found in Madagascar. The species of Icaria construct 

 small open nests in trees, composed of a substance resembling thin 

 brown paper, and containing numerous cells. 



Polistes, Latr., is one of the largest genera of the Vespidce, and 

 is the only genus, except Vespa, which is represented in Europe, 

 three or four species being found in the South. They are black, 

 with yellow spots on the head and back, and are about as long as 

 a common wasp, but much more slender ; the first segment of the 

 abdomen is bell-shaped. They construct a nest similar to that 

 made by the wasps of the genus Icaria, in which they lay up a 

 small store of honey. 



The true Wasps, belonging to the genus Vespa, are black and 

 yellow insects, which are too well known to need description. 

 The smaller wasps are very similar, but are divided into species 

 chiefly by the black markings on their yellow faces. The Hornet 

 (Vespa Cralro, Linn.) is nearly half as large again as the other 

 species, from which it may be distinguished by its redder colour, 

 and the row of reddish spots on each side of the abdomen. Some 

 species of wasps construct their nests in the ground, and others in 

 trees; these nests are composed of a material resembling thin 

 coarse brown paper. Each nest is commenced by one female, 

 which has survived the winter; but as soon as her first eggs 

 hatch, and the first brood is reared, the wasps help the foundress 

 in enlarging the nest and bringing up the young ; other females 

 begin to lay, and the colony rapidly increases. Hence the 

 necessity for killing the large wasps which appear in spring, if we 

 wish to diminish the numbers of wasps in the succeeding summer 

 and autumn. When cold weather sets in, the wasps rapidly 

 perish, only a few females surviving the winter in a torpid state 

 to continue the race during the following year. 



The Hornet is less numerous than the smaller wasps ; it lives 

 in smaller communities, and is not only a much less abundant 

 species, but appears to be almost confined to the south of England ; 

 on the Continent it is much more generally abundant. But it is 

 not a quarrelsome insect, though its powerful sting makes it for- 

 midable if molested. It generally constructs its nest in hollow 

 trees, but will also build under the eaves of houses. The wasps 

 construct their nests of rasped wood, or bark ; and I possess a 

 beautiful hornets' nest, which was found fixed to the rafter of a 

 house at Colchester which was being rebuilt. It has every appear- 

 ance of being constructed of deal shavings. 



