The Crioceres 



fly, whom it resembles slightly. It belongs 

 to the Tachina group, who, in their larval 

 form, so often inhabit the bodies of cater- 

 pillars. 



The white spots sprinkled over the larva 

 of the Crioceris were the eggs of the hateful 

 Fly. The vermin born of those eggs have 

 perforated the victim's paunch. By subtle 

 wounds, which cause little pain and are al- 

 most immediately healed, they have pene- 

 trated the body, reaching the humours in 

 which the entrails are bathed. At first the 

 larva invaded is not aware of its danger; it 

 continues to perform its rope-dancer's gym- 

 nastics, to fill its belly and to take its siestas 

 in the sun, as though nothing serious had 

 occurred. 



Reared in a glass tube and often examined 

 under the lens, my parasite-ridden larvae be- 

 tray no uneasiness. The fact is that the 

 Tachina's children display an infernal judg- 

 ment in their first actions. Until the mo- 

 ment when they are ready for the trans- 

 formation, their portion of game has to hold 

 out, must be kept fresh and alive. They 

 therefore gorge themselves with the reserves 

 intended for future use, the fats, the savings 

 which the Crioceris hoards in view of the 

 remodelling whence the perfect insect will 



421 



