BEHAVIORAL INTERACTIONS BETWEEN 
LIRIS NIGRA VAN DER LINDEN 
(HYMENOPTERA: SPHECIDAE) AND 
GRYLLULUS DOMESTICUS L. 
(ORTHOPTERA: GRYLLIDAE). 
By A. L. Steiner* 
Abstract 
This study surveys and attempts to interpret the different behavioral 
interactions between the solitary wasp Liris nigra V.d.L. and crickets 
of the species Gryllulus dornestiem L. in different hunting situations. 
Significant variations are recorded, some of which are predictable, 
others not. Wasp-cricket interactions and responses become more 
frequent, vigorous and complete from onset to peak of the hunting 
phase. Discussion is concerned mainly with releasing conditions, with 
characteristics and possible meaning of the interactions and responses. 
The problem is placed in the context of general defense, alarm 
reactions, predator-prey interactions and possible corresponding 
behavioral adaptations. 
Introduction 
Liris nigra V.d.L., a palearctic sphecoid hunting wasp, paralyzes 
only crickets, of various species, both adults and immatures (Berland, 
1925; Bernard, 1935; Ferton, 1901b, 1905, 1911, 1914; Kohl, 
1884). In southern France, the nesting period of this wasp generally 
extends from May to July and August, the peak being in late June 
and early July. The wasps emerge in autumn and overwinter as 
adults in pre-existent burrows, galleries and other cavities in the 
soil. Non-nesting activity does not completely stop in winter, but it 
increases rapidly in spring. It consists mainly of basking in the sun, 
body grooming, feeding and locomotor activities; the latter involving 
“visits” to pre-existent burrows, in which the wasp passes the night. 
^Present address: Department of Zoology, University of Alberta, Edmon- 
ton, Alberta, Canada. 
Research has been sponsored by the “Centre National de la Recherche 
Scientifique” — Paris. It has been conducted from 1954 to 1964, at the 
Universities of Paris (Laboratoire devolution des Etres Organises and 
Station Biologique des Eyzies — Direct. Prof. P.-P. Grasse) and Montpellier, 
France (Laboratoire de Zoologie et Biologie Animale — Direct. Prof. O. 
Tuzet; Laboratoire de Psychophysiologie et Comportement Animal — Direct. 
A. L. Steiner). 
Manuscript received by the editor July 19, 1968 
256 
