H YMENOP TER A . 
abdomen the shape of an old-fashioned 
species provisions its nest with caterpil¬ 
lars, and frequently with the canker-worm. 
The greater number of our solitary 
wasps belong to the genus Odynerus (Od- 
y-ne'rus). In this genus the abdomen is 
joined to the thorax by a very short ped¬ 
uncle. The shape of the body and fre¬ 
quently the coloration resemble those of 
the social wasps known as yellow-jackets, 
although usually the body is more slender 
and smaller. The common species are 
quite neighborly; and owing to this res¬ 
emblance to the yellow-jackets, they in¬ 
spire us with a fear that is out of all 
proportion to their will or ability to inflict 
pain. 
The wasps of this genus exhibit a great 
variation in habits. Many species burrow 
in the stems of pithy plants, making a series 
of cells separated by mud partitions; other 
species will avail themselves of any con¬ 
venient cavity in which to make their nests, 
frequently utilizing the deserted nests of 
mud-daubers. In this case a single cell of 
a mud-dauber is divided by a transverse 
partition making two cells for the smaller 
earring. 
Fig. 787 .—Monobia quadridens. FlG. 788. 
Odynerus. One year these wasps plastered up many of the 
