Jolt 
AMPULICIDAE. 
This is a small group of rather long-necked, often metallic 
wasps that prey on cockroaches (Blattidae). It seems that few 
of these wasps dig burrows; they are content with storing their 
victims in some pre-existing cavity and have even been eniow n to 
use keyholes for nests. Many are forest insects, others appear 
more partial to cultivated areas, and at least one tropical species 
may carry on its hunting and nesting operations in houses. 
They do not sting the roaches very severely, so that these 
often regain much of their former activity. The prey is usually 
stored in a cavity of some sort, which may or may not be stuffed 
with earth or other available material. While it is probable that 
one roach usually suffices as food for a single wasp grub, Brid- 
well (1917) records a case in which a South African Dolch us 
supplied her cell, a mere unsealed hole in a stick, with two 
roaches, which the single grub consumed. Réaumur (1748), in 
speaking of the observations of M. Cossigni on a species of 
Ampulex on the Isle of Bourbon, states that this wasp, which 
preys on a large roach (Kakerlaque), will, when necessity arises, 
trim its prey by removing portions of its anatomy so that it will 
fit a selected crevice. 
The egg is fastened to the underside of the roach, and the grub 
resulting frequently consumes the entire insect. Picard (1911) 
states that the larva of Ampulex fasciata Jurine enters the body of 
its host, wherein, after becoming full-fed, it spins a cocoon, which, 
as figured by Picard, bears a nipple-like process at each extremity. 
The cocoon of Dolichurus stantoni (Ashmead) has a curious 
ribbed structure at its anterior end, (Fig. 56) 
Dolichurus stantoni (Ashmead). 
Length about 7 mm.; shining black. 
This glossy black little cockroach hunter is an abundant wasp. 
Noted for her extreme though very necessary activity, we find 
her patronizing the nectar glands of the sweet-potato vine, sip- 
ping honey-dew, or more rarely, searching among fallen leaves 
and clods of earth for the swift little cockroach Blatella bisignata 
(Brunner) that forms her prey. The wasp is a lover of sun- 
shine and appears to be an inhabitant of the cultivated or semi- 
cultivated areas. 
Dolichurus does not usually make her own tunnels; she seeks 
out a convenient hole wherein to store her prey or to pass the 
night. When the morning sun has stirred these wasps to activity, 
ie2) 
