A Parasite of the Bembex 



sometimes ten or more. They belong to a 

 species of Fly, as is evident from their shape 

 and also confirmed by the pupae which we find 

 in their place. Home-breeding completes 

 the proof. When reared in boxes, on a layer 

 of sand, with Flies renewed from day to day, 

 they turn into pupae from which, a ye.ar later, 

 there issues a small Fly, a Tachina of the 

 genus known as Miltogramma. 



It is the same Fly that caused the Bembex 

 such lively fears by lying in ambush near the 

 burrow. The Wasp's terror is but too well 

 founded. This is what happens inside the 

 dwelling: around the heap of food which the 

 mother exhausts herself in keeping up to the 

 requisite quantity, seated in company with the 

 lawful offspring are from six to ten hungry 

 guests, who dip their sharp-pointed mouths 

 into the common dish with no more restraint 

 than if they were at home. Harmony seems 

 to prevail at the table. I have never seen 

 the lawful larva grow indignant at the indis- 

 cretion of the alien grubs, nor have I seen 

 these appear to wish to interfere with the 

 other's repast. All help themselves indis- 

 criminately and eat away peaceably without 

 seeking a quarrel with their neighbours. 



So far all would be well, if a serious difE- 

 311 



