CHAPTER X 



THE BEE-EATING PHILANTHUS 



TO meet among the Wasps, those eager 

 lovers of flowers, a species that goes 

 hunting more or less on its own account is 

 certainly a notable event. That the larder 

 of the grub should be provided with prey is 

 natural enough ; but that the provider, whose 

 diet is honey, should herself make use of the 

 captives is anything but easy to understand. 

 We are quite astonished to see a nectar- 

 drinker become a blood-drinker. But our 

 astonishment ceases if we consider things 

 more closely. The double method of feed- 

 ing is more apparent than real: the crop 

 which fills itself with sugary liquid does not 

 gorge itself with game. The Odynerus, 

 when digging into the body of her prey, does 

 not touch the flesh, a fare absolutely scorned 

 as contrary to her tastes; she satisfies her- 

 self with lapping up the defensive drop which 

 the grub ^ distils at the end of its intestine. 



1 The Larva of Chrysomela populi, the Poplar Leaf- 

 beetle. — Translator's Note. 



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