A Dangerous Diet 



tapers off suddenly into a snake-like neck. 

 This front part is moulded, so to speak, by 

 the narrow entrance-hole made in the skin 

 and henceforth retains its slender formation. 

 As a matter of fact, a similar configuration 

 recurs, in varying degrees, in the larvae of 

 the Digger-wasps whose ration consists of 

 a bulky quarry which takes a long time to 

 consume. These include the Languedocian 

 Sphex, with her Ephippiger, and the Hairy 

 Ammophila, with her Grey Worm. There 

 is none of this sudden constriction, dividing 

 the creature into two disparate halves, when 

 the victuals consist of numerous and com- 

 paratively small items. The larva then re- 

 tains its usual shape, being obliged to pass, 

 at brief intervals, from one joint in its larder 

 to the next. 



From the first bite of the mandibles, un- 

 til the whole head of game is consumed, the 

 Scolia-larva Is never seen to withdraw Its 

 head and Its long neck from inside the crea- 

 ture which It Is devouring. I suspect the 

 reason of this persistence in attacking a single 

 point; I even seem to perceive the need for 

 a special art in the manner of eating. The 

 Cetonia-larva is a square meal in itself, one 

 large dish, which has to retain a suitable 

 freshness until the end. The young Scolia, 

 57 



