Nest-Building and Provisioning in Relation to Sex in Sceliphron spirifex L. (Sphecidae)

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Abstract
The life-history of the solitary wasp, Sceliphron spirifex, was examined in Sierra Leone. Nest-building activities, the method of provisioning cells with spiders and some habits of immature stages are described. It is suggested that the habit of plastering the cells liberally with a mud covering is being lost, possibly because of association with habitations of man. The female parent was aware of the sex of eggs which she laid and provided each sex with the appropriate amount of food, 190-400 mg. for males and 370-570 mg. for females. No differences could be found in the construction of cells destined to hold male or female offspring.

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