316 



An Indian Building Insect. 



them, with, but five. The nest is generally built in the angle 

 of two walls, or on a beam or rafter. After each cell is com- 

 pleted, the insect fills it up with spiders, some of them so large 

 that it must require no little force to push them into it. They 

 appear more stupified than dead — as if stung. Perhaps they 

 are left in this semi-living state to keep them fresh for the 

 consumption of the larva, which is hatched from the egg laid 

 on the body of one of them. Were the spiders dead, the heat 

 would soon shrivel them up. 



The larva feeds on the spiders until either they have all 



F!G;3. 



Fig. 3. — Section of nest showing all the cells. E cell not quite finished. 



been devoured or it is itself ready for its change. The larva, 

 I may here mention, is without feet. When about to change, it 

 spins itself a kind of cocoon, for so I may term the interior 

 cell (Fig. 4, a), which is composed of a transparent yellowish 

 glass-like substance, sparingly covered on the outside with 

 silky filaments. 



Fig. 4. A, Larva in interior covering. B, Ditto taken out. C, Pupa in ad- 

 vanced stage, in interior covering. D D, Perfect insect just emerged from pell. 



" The body of the grub (pupa) when taken out of this case 

 (Fig. 4, b) , is of a light yellowish colour, with its mouth and 

 mandibles dark, which are hence easily distinguishable. It 

 appears to grow gradually larger, and its shelly case with it, 



