The action of the venom of the wasp Campsomeris sexmaculata on the insect CNS has been studied using the cercal nerve-giant interneuron preparation of the sixth abdominal ganglion of the cockroach. 2. The venom blocks synaptic transmission either transiently (at low concentration) or for a long time (at higher concentration), and causes a permanent depolarization of the neuron with a delay. 3. The venom does not affect directly the axonal excitability.