249 
what is true of this particular species is true of other digger-wasps in 
providing for their young. Some of the hitherto unrecorded facts in 
reference to this more common and conspicuous species will serve to 
indicate the general habits and life-history of all. 
2 ) Ape 
c a 
L1G] 
Ee 
Fic. 33.— Burrows uf Sphecius speciosus: e, e, e, main entrance; c¢, ¢, c, c, chambers for larve and their 
food—greatly reduced (original). 
fe 
During the latter half of July and the Ist of August, when the note 
of the Cicada in question is filling the air with its vibrations, our digger- 
wasp is not idle, but may be observed in rapid, strong flight about the 
trees harboring its prey. The sudden cessation of the regular note of 
the unsuspecting Cicada and in its stead 
a distressing, discordant ery will catch 
the ear of the observer and apprise him 
that something is wrong, if he be in any 
way acquainted with the subject of the 
tragedy that is being enacted. <A quick 
thrust of the sting of the wasp into the 
body of its victim paralyzes the latter and 
throws it into a comatose condition, from 
which it never recovers. The vital func- 
tions are suspended or greatly reduced, 
but not entirely stopped, and it becomes 
the nonresisting, half inanimate prey of 
the delicate larva of the wasp. The ef- 
fect produced by the sting of one of these 
wasps on the insects which they provide 
for their young has always been a subject : 
for speculation, and a curious fact is that Fis.34.—Adult Cicada with Sphecius 
should the ege of the wasp fail from any ne nas ata@—natural size (orig- 
cause to hatch, the paralyzed victim nevy- 
ertheless remains in a state of suspended animation, which will last 
under favorable conditions for a year and how much longer is not 
known. In this preliminary struggle with the Cicada both the wasp 
and its victim often fall to the ground, and the wasp must then carry the 
latter back into the tree to get a vantage point from which to fly in the 
direction of her burrow. Frequently it will be necessary to carry the 
Cicada several times up into a tree, with the expenditure of great labor, 
before the burrow of the wasp is reached. 
