The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-09-18
A StratcriC Wasp.

FyDj0 the Neir Orleans C0.0perUtice NerS.
Not long since, while reading beneath the
shade of a fig tree, our attention was attract
ed by a peculiar loud and shrill buzzng
sound, as of some one of the bee family IN
distress. Looking in the direction OF the
noise we observed quite close to us DIRT
dauber, or builder, one OF the species OF
wasps So well known by the cylindrical
cases IF mud il builds under caves ana on
sheltered walls, which it stutts full OF certain
worms and spiders for its young. This wasp
had half OF its body and head down the mole
of the equally well.known doodlebug, a
worm which children pull out OF their holes
by teasing them with straw unit! they grasp
it with their strong nippcrS and hold on till
they are thrown out. II was evident at Il
glance that the wasp had gone down the hole
of the doodlebug, and that the doodlebug
soon mad him IN his strong grip at great DIS
advantage and where the wings OF the wasp
were OF no advantage except to make
noise which might alarm his adversary.
The contest lasted two full minutes, when
finally the dirtdauber came out with jerk.
lie flew but few inches from the hole, III
upon the ground rubbed his head, and
fairly danced with pain.
In a few moments he recovered from the
effects of his wounds aud began making
short circles over the hole, evidently recon
noiterlng and laying his plans. Presently,
lighting at the mouth OF the hole, he tired
the eartn all about the entrance with the
skill Of an engineer, and selecting maj
which was driest began 10 scratch like a
dog with his fore feet, throwing the dust
rapidly backward into the hole. We watch
ed with intense interest, and could not but
admired his pluck and determination, for we
imagine this throwing dust on his advcr,
sary's head was only tn provoke him to a
fresh fight Every now and then he would
stop and take cautious peep GOWN the hole
TO observe the effect Of his operations We
expected every moment ID see him descend
and make another attack, but it soon became
manifest that such was not his intcatiOn, and
It gradually dawned upon Us that he had Il
strategic mode oi attack based upon the
soundest principles at philosophy, reason and
a thorough knowledge Of his adversary and
of the means he was using TO render his
resistance futile and make him an easy
capture.
Dy throwing the fiuc dust into the hole
the doodlebug would soon be smothered, as
It was necessary that hc should have tree air,
unless he climbed upward as he would do.
Whenever the worm worked upward Ia get
his head above, the fine dust fell behind and
below him, and thus slowly closed up his
hole, until, blinded with dust, he poked his
head out at the top. This was the point aim
ed at, aud the moment he showed his head
above, the wasp pounced upon him, seized
him by the neck, drew him up, gathered him
in his arms and ilew off in triumph, though
the worm was much the largest oil the Two.
struck with amaZement at the saSaclty, sci
ence, skill aud engineering ability Of the
dirtdauber, we carefully sounded the hole,
and found that in the course OF five minutes
this reasoning insect had filled IN five inches
OF dust and put his formidable adversary
completely at his mercy.
The most skilllul engineers, Todleben or
Beauregard, could not have thrown up earth
works with profounder calculation than
this natural engineer.