TWO CASES OF INSECT MIMICRY. 
\VM. M. WHEELER. 
While studying the prairie insect fauna of Southeastern 
Nebraska early in the summer of 1888 I happened on two 
cases of mimicry, which I believe have not yet been noted. 
The first case relates to Mantispa. brunnea, Say., and 
Polistes variatus, Cress. I had for several days observed 
individuals of the Polistes resting on the petioles m the 
terminal leaf-clusters of the golden rods so 
luxuriant in the damp spots, or “draws between t e 
gently rising hills of the prairies. The wasps were evi¬ 
dently lying in wait for prey, and their yellow, black and 
brown markings made them look like insect tigers hi in & 
among the leaves. More careful observation showed t 
some of these leaf clusters halt concealed specimens 
of Mantispa brunnea , crouching in the same mann 
Their coloring so closely resembled the wasp s that. 
at first quite deceived and was ridiculously care u in ^ 
tricating specimens from my net, tearing to be ^ . 
coloring of the Polistes is carefully copied , t e o y 
banded with yellow, brown and black, the wing 
smoky brown and the legs yellow. W hile l\in to m 
the Mantispas closed appose their laige raptoiia 
kgs to the lateralfaces of the pro thorax, w hich, w en 
a Ppendages are extended, is so narrow as to r 
but slightly the wasp’s thorax. The wing? 
carried in the same manner by both insects, eve . s 
during the course of a week I found these two 
which I soon learned to distinguish at a glance, 
landing the similarity of their movements anc ^ter 
r cstingin the same position, both intent upon t 
