Insect Study 435 



LESSON XCIX 

 The Yellow-jacket 



Leading thought — The wasps were the original paper makers, using 

 ■wood pulp for the purpose. Some species construct their houses of paper 

 in the trees or bushes while others build in the ground. 



Method — Take a deserted wasp-nest, the larger the better, with sharp 

 scissors remove one side of the covering of the nest, leaving the combs 

 exposed and follow with the questions and suggestions indicated. From 

 this study of the nest encourage the children to observe more closely the 

 wasps and their habits, which they can do in safety if they learn to move 

 quietly while observing (See Fig. page 457.) 



Observations — i. Which kind of wasp do you think made this nest? 

 Of what is the nest made? Where did the wasp get the material? How 

 do the wasps make wood into paper? 



2. What is the general shape of the nest? Is the nest well covered to 

 protect it from rain? Where is the door where the wasps went in and 

 out? Is the covering of the nest all of the same color? Do these differ- 

 ences in color give you any idea of how the wasps build the paper into the 

 nest? Does the paper tear more easily one way than another? Is the 

 covering of the nest solid or in layers? 



3. How many combs or stories are there in the wasp house? How 

 are they fastened together and how suspended ? 



4. Compare the combs of the wasp-nest with those of the honey-bee. 

 How do they resemble each other and how differ? Do the cells open up- 

 ward or downward? For what purpose are the combs in the wasp-nest 

 used? Are all the cells of the same size? Do you know the reason for 

 this difference in size ? 



5. How do the young wasp grubs manage to cling to the cells head 

 downward? Are the cells lined with a different color and does this lining 

 extend out over the opening in some cases? Is this lining of the cells 

 made of paper also ? Do you know how a young wasp looks and how the 

 white lining of the cells is made? 



6. Do you believe that some wasps of the colony are always posted as 

 sentinels at the door to give warning if the colony is attacked? 



7. Do wasps store food to sustain them during the winter? What 

 happens to them during winter? Is the same nest used year after year. 



8. Can you describe the beginning of this wasp-nest? When was it 

 made ? Tell the story of the wasp that made it. How large was the nest 

 at first? How was the nest enlarged? 



9. What is the food of wasps? How do these insects benefit us? 



10. Write a story giving the life history of a wasp. 



11. In the summer watch a yellow-jacket eat from a dish of sweetened 

 fruit which you may place out of doors to coax her to come where you can 

 carefully observe her. What are the colors of the yellow -jacket ? Where 

 is the yellow? How are the yellow bands made ornamental? How does 

 she fold her wings? How many wings has she? What is the color of her 

 legs? Describe her antennas and eyes. How does she eat the fruit juice? 

 Can you see the motion of her body when she breathes? 



