MEMBRANE-WINGED INSECTS. ZT 
470. The Mud-wasp, Fig. 213, is one of the sand-bur- 
rowers. The fol- 
lowing is the ac- 
count given of it 
4 by Jaeger. “This 
insect is more than 
an inch long, and 
of a dark blue- 
purple color. It 
makes its abode 
in the loose, sandy 
ground, and when 
digging its hole re- 
sembles a dog dig- 
ging after mice, throwing the earth under it toward its 
hind body with its fore feet. If the pile of sand be- 
comes too high or troublesome, it places itself upon it, 
and throws the earth behind it with great force until it 
is leveled. As soon as its subterranean abode is pre- 
pared, it seizes a large Spider, or a caterpillar, or some 
other insect, stings it in the neck, and then carries it into 
its hole. It is curious to see one of these Wasps take 
hold of a Cockroach, seizing it by one of its long anten- 
nz, and continually walking backward, compelling the 
Cockroach to follow, notwithstanding its great reluctance 
and constant opposition, until both have arrived at the 
hole, where the Wasp kills it by a sting in the neck, then 
tears -into pieces, and carries it into her subterranean 
dwelling as food for her offspring.” 
471. The family of Vespidz, or true Wasps, is distin- 
guished from the other Hymenoptera by the folding of 
the wings when at rest throughout their entire length. 
They are generally not solitary, but social, the communi- 
ties, however, being small. The neuters are not, like the 
neuters of the Ant tribe, destitute of wings. Those 
Wasps which are solitary have no neuters, and their hab- 
its are like the diggers just noticed. There are many 
Fig. 213.—The Mud-wasp. 
