1984] 
Hermann & Chao — Mischocyttarus 
57 
back of the nest. There is a significant positive correlation (r = 
0.095, p <0.001) between the number of females and the number of 
cells in a nest (Table I). 
Small nests that were relatively new were light gray in color, while 
larger nests were often a darker, brownish color. The walls of small, 
young nests were translucent and the outline of a larva could be seen 
inside. In addition, the paper was loosely made (Fig. 8) so that 
occasional holes existed in the cell walls. The loose appearance and 
light color of the paper indicated that very little if any head 
secretions were added other than what was necessary to adhere the 
layers together. Also, very little mandibular working of the paper 
was done by the wasps at this time. Both paper darkening and 
smoothing (Figs. 6 and 7) appear to commence between the 4-5 cell 
stage and the time of capping. 
Cell cap darkening following spinning is done by adults. Freshly 
spun caps were whitish while those of older pupae had brownish 
colored wood particles adhering to them (Fig. 5). Darkening of the 
caps and the addition of wood particles blended the caps with the 
rest of the nest, making them cryptic. This is a primary defense 
(Edmunds, 1974). 
Another primary defense is seen in the way in which most of the 
nests hang on their pedicels. Some are elongate, pendulous (Fig. 1), 
others more round in appearance (Fig. 2). Irrespective of shape, all 
were constructed with the nest back away from the direction of 
provocation. This is most apparent on nests constructed on 
buildings. This allows adults to retreat from provocation rather 
than defend. 
Nests on Sahal palmetto often were horizontally elongate, 
following the available space on the underside of the leaf. Most 
successful nests were constructed under leaves that had additional 
folds which allowed further protection from birds. Nests found in 
bell-like wind chimes in Haines City, Florida, were exceptionally 
well protected. The bells, in effect, were analogous to the bag-like 
(calyptodomous) nests of arboreal vespines. Predation on these 
nests by birds would be difficult. 
Similar and other forms of architectural defense have been 
reported from other social hymenopterous species by numerous 
individuals and has been reviewed by Hermann and Blum (1981). 
