The Life of the Caterpillar 



With his poisoned mane, he repels the 

 enemy." 



I do not clearly perceive the bearing of this 

 explanation. I think of the creature's recog- 

 nized enemies: of the larva of Calosoma 

 sycophanta, which lives in the nests of the 

 Processionary of the Oak and gobbles up the 

 inhabitants with never a thought of their burn- 

 ing fleece; of the Cuckoo, another mighty con- 

 sumer, so we are told, of the same caterpillars, 

 who gorges on them to the point of implant- 

 ing in his gizzard a bristling coat of their 

 hairs. 



I am not aware if the Processionary of 

 the Pine pays a like tribute. I do know of 

 at least one of his exploiters. This is a 

 Dermestes, 1 who establishes himself in the 

 silken city and feeds upon the remains of the 

 defunct caterpillars. This ghoul assures us 

 of the existence of other consumers, all fur- 

 nished with stomachs expressly fashioned for 

 such highly-seasoned fare. For every har- 

 vest of living creatures there is always a har- 

 vester. 



No, the theory of a special virus, expressly 

 prepared to defend the Processionary and his 

 *A Bacon-beetle. Translator's Note. 

 1 68 



