INSECT BEHAVIOR 



3*9 



I "If the examination of the objects about the nest makes no impres- 

 m upon the wasp, or if it is not remembered, she ought not to be 

 inconvenienced nor thrown off her track when weeds and stones are 

 removed and the surface of the ground is smoothed over; but this is 

 just what happens. A poms fasciatus entirely lost her way when we 

 broke off the leaf that covered her nest, but found it without trouble 

 when the missing object was replaced. All the species of Cerceris were 

 extremely annoyed if we placed any new object near their nesting-places. 

 Our Ammophila refused to make use of her burrow after we had drawn 



FIG. 298. Locality studies made by a wasp, Sphex ichneumonea. A , a thorough study; 

 B, a hasty study; n, nest. After PECKHAM, from Bull. Wisconsin Geol. and Nat. Hist. 

 Survey. 



some deep lines in the dust before it. The same annoyance is exhibited 

 when there is any change made near the spot upon which the prey of 

 the wasp, whatever it may be, is deposited temporarily." 



If we take, as one criterion of intelligence, the power to choose be- 

 tween alternatives, then insects are more intelligent than is generally 

 admitted. The control of locomotion, the selection of prey, and the 

 avoidance of enemies, as results of experience, indicate powers of dis- 

 crimination. The power of intercommunication, conceded to exist 

 among social Hymenoptera, implies some degree of intelligence. 



If instinct is blind, or mechanical, with no adjustment of means to 

 ends, then a pronounced individuality of action must signify something 

 more than instinct. In regard to a female Pompilus scelestus, which had 

 dragged a large spider nearly to her nest; the Peckhams observe: 



