STINGING FOUR-WINGED INSECTS 
305 
Phctu by W. P. Ilandf, F.Z.S. 
TREE-WASP 
V fry similar to the common wasp, hut buildt 
its nest in trees instead of in the ground 
times of only three — a moderately long basal one, a short 
middle one, and a long terminal one, composed of a number 
of joints united into one; and rarely, as in the case of the 
males of some small species about half an inch long which 
feed on fir and pine, the antennm are feathered. The grubs 
are very like caterpillars, and are sometimes called “ false 
caterpillars ” ; but a true caterpillar (except in one or two very 
rare exceptions among foreign species) has never more than 
sixteen legs, while these “ false caterpillars” have more, often 
as many as twenty-two. They also resemble caterpillars in 
another way, for the pupje are enclosed in cocoons. One 
interesting Australian species, which feeds on gum-trees, pro- 
ceeds from a black caterpillar with only six legs. The perfect insect has a blackish head and 
thorax, with three large yellow spots on the latter, yellowish antennai and wings, and a green 
abdomen ; it measures about an inch and a half across the wings, and has knobbed antennae. 
An allied species, found in Tasmania, is said to tend its young larvae — an unusual habit, except 
among social insects like bees, wasps, and ants. Among the commonest and the most destructive 
saw-flies in England are those feeding upon the currant, gooseberry, and pear, of which there are 
several species, measuring about half an inch across the wings. The commonest flies which lay 
their eggs on the gooseberry and currant are yellow, with the head, antennae, and three long spots 
on the back black, and the wings transparent, with black veins. The grubs are bluish green, with 
twenty legs, and numerous black dots ; and several may often be seen on one leaf. The best-known 
of the Pe.\R S.\w-rLlES is black, with the wings transparent, except the veins; the grub is very 
like a slug, and is green or yellow, very slimy, with the front of the body much thickened. 
The' Wood-wasps include only a few species, the grubs of which live in the stems of 
plants, or in the solid wood of trees. One of the largest feeds on fir- or pine-trees, and the 
fly measures from half an inch to an inch and a half in length, and varies much in size, though 
the male is generally much smaller than the female. The female is yellow, with two black 
bands, and a stout ovi- 
' positor half as long as 
the abdomen. In the 
male the tip of the abdo- 
men is black, and ends in 
a rectangular point. The 
w’ings are transparent, 
with yellow nervures. 
Next to these in- 
sects come the Gall- 
F'LlES,mostof which pro- 
duceround gallsonoaks; 
and in some species we 
meet with a wingless 
brood, living alternately 
with the winged broods, 
but at the roots of the 
trees instead of in the 
open air. The veining 
xt 
Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co.] 
TREE-WASP’S NEST 
Generally built in a thick bush 
of the wings is reduced 
to one or two veins ; 
[Parson s frrrrn aiitenuae are rather 
long, and not angulated ; 
and the abdomen is 
