HYMENOPTERA. 



tiidinally when at rest.* In habits the wasps are either 

 social or solitary. 



I. Social Wasps. 

 The social wasps constitute the family Vcspidce of 

 authors. These insects resemble in many respects, 

 bees, especially Humble-bees. There are three forms 

 of individuals,— males, females, and workers. Their 

 <^ societies exist only one season. In the autumn, the 

 J males and workers die. The females hibernate. In 

 V the spring, each of those that have survived the winter 

 ^ begins a nest, and performs all the labor till a brood 

 ts of workers are developed. In the latter part of the 

 y season a brood of males and queens is produced. Un- 



^ like the bees the wasps are predaceous, feeding upon 



other insects ; they also feed upon the sweets of flow- 

 ers, fruit, etc. Their nests are either built in holes 

 under the ground or are attached to trees, or build- 

 ings. They are made of a paper-like substance, com- 

 posed of finely gnawed wood. The habits of this 

 group are well illustrated by the following species: 

 ■/ The White-faced Hornet, Vcspa maciilata Linn 



(I, 148). 

 ^ The common, black Wasp, /Vz.r/r.j ;«r/r2b<j- Say (i 

 151). _ 



rf<lA-^^ 2. Solitary Wasps. 



The solitary wasps constitute the family Eiimcnidce 

 of authors. These wasps resemble in habits some of 

 the solitary bees, expect that they provision their 

 nests with insects instead of pollen and honey. Our 



• A single genus of Chalcis-flics (Lmcopsh) have ihc wings folded in the s.iinc m.in- 

 ncr, .ind a few exotic w.isps (Ceramiiis and Mitsaris in_part) do not fold their wings. 



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