CHAPTER VI 



THE LARVA AND THE NYMPH 



THE egg of the Yellow-winged Sphex is 

 white, elongated, cylindrical, slightly 

 bow-shaped and measures three to four milli- 

 metres l in length. So far from being laid 

 anywhere on the victim, at random, it is de- 

 posited on a specially favoured spot, which is 

 always the same; in short, it is placed across 

 the Cricket's breast, a little to one side, be- 

 tween the first and second pair of legs. The 

 egg of the White-edged Sphex and that of 

 the Languedocian Sphex occupy a similar 

 position: the first on the breast of a Locust, 

 the second on the breast of an Ephippiger. 2 

 The point selected must present some pe- 

 culiarity of great importance to the young 

 larva's safety, for I have never known it to 

 vary. 



The egg hatches after three or four days. 

 A very delicate wrapper tears asunder; and 

 there lies before our eyes a feeble grub, 



1 .ii7 to .156 inch. Translator's Note. 

 *A species of Green Grasshopper. Translator's Note. 

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