THE TARANTULA KILLERS OF TEXAS.

BY DR. G. LINCECUM.

The Mud Dauber, Pompilus formosus. From SAY.

An investigation of the extensive family of Mud Daubers would be an interesting and instructive study. It would necessarily include that of the various types of Spiders, from the great hairy Mygale Hentzii, down to the smallest, almost microscopic species; for nearly every type of Spiders has its special enemy among the Mud Daubers.

The large, red-winged "Tarantula Killer" (the Pompilus formosus of Say) is, as far as I know, the largest of the dauber group. It takes its prey by stinging, thus instantly paralyzing every limb of its victim. The effects of the introduction of its venom is as sudden as the snap of the electric spark. The wasp then drags it, going backwards to some suitable place, excavates a hole five inches deep in the earth, places its great spider in it, deposits an egg under one of its legs, near the body, and then

covers the hole very securely. A young Tarantula Killer will be produced from this egg, if no accident befalls it, about the first of June of the ensuing year.

This large and conspicuous insect is everywhere in Texas called the Tarantula Killer, and is over two inches in length; the head, thorax, abdomen, and long spiny legs are all black, while the wings are sometimes of a bright brown, with black spots at the tips. It is armed with a formidable sting, which it invariably uses in taking its prey. This sting does not kill the Mygale, but paralyzes it-suspends all animation— and in this state, in a dry place, and at the proper temperature, it is in a condition to resist decomposition a long time. The entire group of Mud Daubers possess the power of paralyzing their victims, and in that condition they store up their spiders, caterpillars, and other insects, which are to serve as food for coming generations.

The Tarantula Killer pursues several other species of the large ground spiders, but the Mygale IIentzii, or Tarantula, is his favorite.

I have sometimes found under shelving rocks, and other sheltered places, dauber's nests that were doubtless several years old. In some of the cells, where the egg had proved abortive, the spiders were there, still limber, with no signs of decomposition about them. They did not seem to be dead, but looked as if they could almost move their legs, and were perhaps not unconscious of their deplorable condition. I should be frightened at the prospect of being stung by any of the larger types of this group of insects. I have, however, known but a single instance of this kind. Several years ago a person was stung by a common black dirt dauber on the shoulder near the neck; he complained of numb

ness in the part for a distance of some inches around the wound, but of no pain. Its effects lasted about twentyfour hours. I think it quite probable that the large Tarantula Killer would produce a more serious inconvenience, and perhaps paralyze the whole system. The

Mygale Hentzii, the Tarantula of Texas. From MARCY.

Pompilus, however, is a good-natured insect, showing no signs of pugnacity, except when she has a fine fat Tarantula in hand, and then she only threatens violence by spreading out her red wings, and running a little way

towards the intruder. She is quite tame, and will come familiarly in and about one's yard and house, dragging the prostrate Mygale under the floor, where she hides it from the intrusion of other Tarantula Killers, who would, if they could find it, take out the egg and put one of their own in its place, as they are remarkable for such thieving propensities.

The

The Mygale IIentzii, on the other hand, sometimes succeeds in capturing his great enemy, as I once noticed. When first observed, the Mygale had the Tarantula Killer, still alive, in his mouth, holding it by the back. Tarantula seemed to be greatly clated at its success, which it manifested by capering about, and performing various other antics, such as running suddenly at any thing or person that came near it, holding on to his victim all the time. The Tarantula Killer appeared to be conscious of her condition, and was, as far as I could discern, fully resigned to her fate, remaining perfectly quiet. I regretted that I could not wait to witness the finale of this af fair: such cases do not often occur.

The Tarantula Killers have severe fights with each other. It occasionally happens, when one of them succeeds in capturing a Tarantula, that another one, or more, flying around in that vicinity, and smelling the odor that arises from the Tarantula Killer when she uses her sting, which resembles the odor of the paper-making wasp (Vespa), only much stronger, takes the scent like a dog, tracks the Tarantula, following it up closely, and makes a violent effort to get possession of the paralyzed spider. A fight ensues, which occasionally terminates in the death of both parties; at other times the contest lasts but a little while, as the stronger party drives off the weaker, and takes possession of the prey.