The Hunting Wasps 



dodging about. The Wasp, half-trapped in 

 the entrance-hall, cannot see the foe so dar- 

 ingly perched on the hind-quarters of the 

 prey; if she suspects the parasite's presence, 

 she cannot drive her away, having no liberty 

 of movement in the narrow corridor; lastly, 

 in spite of all the precautions which she takes 

 to facilitate her entrance, she cannot always 

 vanish underground with the necessary speed, 

 the fact being that the bandit is much too 

 quick for her. This indeed is the auspicious 

 moment and the only one, since prudence for- 

 bids the Fly to penetrate into the cave where 

 other Flies, far stronger than herself, serve 

 as food for the grub. Outside, in the open 

 air, the difficulty is insurmountable, thanks 

 to the intense vigilance of the Bembex. Let 

 us turn for a minute to the arrival of the 

 mother while her home is being watched by 

 Miltogrammse, 



A number of these Midges, greater or less 

 from time to time but usually three or four, 

 station themselves on the sand and remain 

 perfectly still, all gazing at the burrow, of 

 which they well know the entrance, carefully 

 hidden though it be. Their dull-brown col- 

 our, their great blood-red eyes, their inde- 

 fatigable patience have often suggested to 

 318 



