1968] 
Steiner — Behavioral Interactions 
269 
the wasp gives the whole set of four stings only if reactions of the 
attacked cricket are sufficiently intense. However, investigation 
generally takes place whenever a nesting wasp finds a cricket, be it 
motionless or even paralyzed, except that wasps engaged in nest 
digging or nest closure generally ignore crickets. Stinging follows 
mainly if the investigated cricket reacts vigorously; if not, malaxation 
is more probable (Steiner, 1962). 
Therefore, rarity of investigation of “frozen” crickets (perhaps 
even of attack and stinging) might be related in part to special 
properties of the freezing posture. Absence of movement might or 
might not have additional effects. Regardless, the aspect of the 
“frozen” cricket and the outcome of its behavior are quite unusual 
(see Logan, 1961 and question 3 below). 
3. What is the meaning of the different responses of the cricket , 
and what are the mechanisms involved? Most of the responses de- 
scribed in Plates 21 and 22 might be interpreted in terms of general 
defense or alarm reactions and not necessarily in terms of special 
predator-prey or parasite-host reactions. Even autotomy of hind leg 
(see Plate 22, j) can be obtained experimentally with crickets using 
stimuli as different and unspecific as heat, pressure, chemicals, stings, 
etc. (Brousse-Gaury, 1958, etc.). However, similar responses have 
also been observed in predator-prey interactions, e.g in some species 
of crabs. 
The meaning of the freezing responses of the cricket in this respect 
and the mechanisms involved are far from clear. Predator-prey in- 
teractions are highly complex and involve many problems beyond the 
scope of this paper. Different possibilities are only briefly mentioned 
below. More information is available in the literature cited. 
Sudden immobilization , “freezing” } has been described in many 
insects and other animals in various conditions and under a variety 
of terms such as “reflex-immobilization” (Rabaud, 1919, etc.), 
“voluntary immobilization” (Pieron, 1959), cataleptic, paralytic or 
hypnotic states, immobility response, “death feigning”, total inhibition 
of movement, thanatosis, etc. (see also, for instance, Bleich, 1927; 
Hoffmann, 1921, 1926; Holmes, 1906; Lohner, 1914; Saxena, 1958; 
Steiwiger, 1933). Cessation or recovery of movement or both can 
be associated with general disturbances, with precise stimulation of 
certain parts of the body and with visual stimulation (see Gautier, 
1965, 1967; Rabaud, 1919; Szymanski, 1917; Weyrauch, 1929). 
The “frozen” animal might also recover spontaneously. Emphasis is 
often placed on strong inhibitory influences. Muscle hypertonus is 
frequently reported in insects, for instance (Rabaud, 1919). Loss 
