More Hunting Wasps 



would only be a repetition, save for a few 

 variations. 



2 August^ 1883. The larva of the Bem- 

 bex, as I extract it from its burrow, is about 

 half-developed. Around it I find only some 

 scanty relics of its meals, consisting chiefly 

 of Anthrax-wings, half-diaphanous and half- 

 clouded. The mother would appear to have 

 completed the victualling by fresh contribu- 

 tions, added day by day. I give the nurse- 

 ling, which is an Anthrax-eater, a young 

 Phaneroptera. The Locustid is attacked 

 without hesitation. This profound change 

 in the character of its victuals does not seem 

 in the least to disturb the larva, which bites 

 straight into the rich morsel with its mandi- 

 bles and does not let go until it has exhausted 

 it. Towards evening the drained carcase is 

 replaced by another, quite fresh, of the same 

 species but bulkier, measuring over three- 

 quarters of an inch. 



3 August. — Next day I find the Phane- 

 roptera devoured. Nothing remains but the 

 dry Integuments, which are not dismembered. 

 The entire contents have disappeared; the 

 game has been emptied through a large open- 

 ing made In the belly. A regular Grass- 

 hopper-eater could not have operated more 

 skilfully. I replace the worthless carcase 



192 



