The Primary Larva of the Sitares 



larva, a tiny black speck which we see run- 

 ning over the white surface of the egg, at 

 last stops and balances itself firmly on its six 

 legs; then, seizing the delicate skin of the 

 egg with the sharp hooks of its mandibles, it 

 tugs at it violently until it breaks, spilling its 

 contents, which the larva eagerly drinks up. 

 Thus the first stroke of the mandibles which 

 the parasite delivers in the usurped cell is 

 aimed at the destruction of the Bee's egg. A 

 highly logical precaution! The Sitaris- 

 larva, as we shall see, has to feed upon the 

 honey in the cell; the Anthophora-larva 

 which would proceed from that egg would 

 require the same food; but the portion is too 

 small for two; so, quick, a bite at the egg 

 and the difficulty will be removed. The story 

 of these facts calls for no comment. This 

 destruction of the cumbersome egg is all the 

 more inevitable inasmuch as special tastes 

 compel the young Sitaris-grub to make its 

 first meals of it. Indeed we see the tiny 

 creature begin by greedily drinking the juices 

 which the torn wrapper of the egg allows to 

 escape; and for several days it may be ob- 

 served, at one time motionless on this en- 

 velope, in which it rummages at intervals 

 with its head, at others running over it from 

 end to end to rip it open still wider and to 

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