The Coolidge examiner., 1938-08-04

cada-killers. indolent and peaceful,
wander aimlessly about, tapping up
nectar from the flowers.
They are especially fond of the
sap of certain trees. If truth must
be told they much prefer this sap
after fermentation has transformed
it into more or less strong beer.
Idle ease, nectar. and beer satisfy
these wasps for a few weeks. Dur
ing this time they display not the
slightest interest in cicadas. Then,
with the attainment of full bodily de-
velopment the females somewhat
suddenly become demons of dynam-
ic energy murderously inclined to-
ward all cicadas-full-fedged cica-
da-killers.
The cicada-killers are interesting
because of their great size, and the
bulk and power of their victims.
1t is a thrilling sight to see one OF
them strike a cicada in full flight
and, with its prey, go tumbling to
the ground. But their technique is
crude-effective, but lacking those
finer touches that perfect the pic
ture. So let us consider the most
accomplished artists that are found
among the digger wasps.
How Wasps Use Caterpillars.
Rather large, very slender, and
long-waisted wasps commonly are
seen early in the summer on wild
carrot and other flowers, about de-
caying fruit, or drinking at the sides
of puddles. Indolent and peaceful,
they are unsuspicious and slow to
take offense. These are young cat
erpillar wasps, for which as yet life
means little more than feeding on
nectar in full enjoyment of the sum-
mer sunshine.
Lazy, slow-moving creatures, with
an air Of complete boredom. they
could scarcely appear less interest
ing or more slothful But while they
are spending their time in frivolous
enjoyment they are developing
strength and energy and acquiring
a knowledge of the world.
Energy finally gets the upper
hand and the female forsakes the
flowers almost completely. The first
thing she does on becoming energet-
ic is to find a patch of bare, stiff
soil, more or less protected, and
there dig a burrow ending in an
enlarged chamber, oval in shape
and horizontal
After the burrow is completed the
wasp closes the opening with little
stone or a pellet of earth of just
the right size, or sometimes with
several pellets, filling the hole up
level with the ground and often
kicking some loose earth over it.
Her burrow completed, closed,
and concealed from view, she now
goes in search of prey-caterpillars
found on or near the ground. The
commonest one prefers green cater
pillars much larger than herself.
When a caterpillar is discovered
the wasp knocks it off the leaf onto
the ground. Then, watching her
chance, she seizes it with her man.
dibles near its head and gives it a
prolonged sting between two of the
earlier segments. This ends the
struggle of the caterpillar.
The wasp then stings its victim
between the other earlier segments
and between most or all Of the
hinder segments. The singing is
followed by thorough squeezing Of
the neck between the mandibles all
around, this squeezing process last
ing for some time.
Put in Cleverly Closed BurrOw.
The caterpillar, reduced to COM
plete inertness and lying extended
at full length, is now ready to be
transported to the burrow. The
wasp turns it on its back; then, seiz-
ing it by the throat, lifts its head off
the ground and drags it along at a
very creditable pace-at least when
the ground is smooth and the way is
unobstructed.
The caterpillar is finally brought
to the burrow, which is opened and
the victim placed inside. Sometimes
a single caterpillar is sufficient, but
usually two or even more are need
ed If more than one is stored, the
burrow is always closed after each
is placed within it. When the store
of caterpillars is complete and the
egg is laid, the burrow is perma-
nently closed with the greatest
care.
Now comes the most interesting
part of the whole proceeding. The
wasp searches for a little stone Of
just the right size and shape. and
with this held firmly in her jaws
she pats the earth down very care
tHlly to obiterate all traces of her
work.