The Primary Larva of the Sitares 



reach the exit and fly away, or else when the 

 bad weather and the darkness bring them 

 back there for a time, the young Sitaris- 

 larvae, kept on the alert in these same gal- 

 leries by the stimulus of instinct, attach them- 

 selves to the Bees, wriggling into their fur 

 and clutching it so firmly that they need not 

 fear a fall during the long journeys of the 

 insect which carries them. By thus attaching 

 themselves to the Anthophora? the young 

 Sitares evidently intend to get themselves 

 carried, at the opportune moment, into the 

 victualled cells. 



One might even at first sight believe that 

 they live for some time on the Anthophora's 

 body, just as the ordinary parasites, the va- 

 rious species of Lice, live on the body of the 

 animal that feeds them. But not at all. 

 The young Sitares, embedded in the fleece, 

 at right angles to the Anthophora's body, 

 head inwards, rump outwards, do not stir 

 from the point which they have selected, a 

 point near the Bee's shoulders. We do not 

 see them wandering from spot to spot, ex- 

 ploring the Anthophora's body, seeking the 

 part where the skin is more delicate, as they 

 would certainly do if they were really de- 

 riving some nourishment from the juices of 

 the Bee. On the contrary, they are nearly 

 59 



