A Parasite of the Bembex 287 



sand, with Flies renewed from day to day, 

 they turn into pupae from which, a year later, 

 there issues a small Fly, a Tachina of the genus 

 known as Miltogramma. 



It is the same Fly that caused the Bembex 

 such lively fears by lying in ambush near the 

 burrow. The Wasp's terror is but too well 

 founded. This is what happens inside the 

 dwelling : around the heap of food which the 

 mother exhausts herself in keeping up to the 

 requisite quantity, seated in company with the 

 lawful offspring, are from six to ten hungry 

 guests, who dip their sharp-pointed mouths 

 into the common dish with no more restraint 

 than if they were at home. Harmony seems 

 to prevail at the table. I have never seen the 

 lawful larva grow indignant at the indiscretion 

 of the alien grubs, nor have I seen these appear 

 to wish to interfere with the other's repast. 

 All help themselves indiscriminately and eat 

 away peaceably without seeking a quarrel with 

 their neighbours. 



So far all would be well, if a serious difficultv 

 did not now arise. However active the 

 mother-nurse may be, she is obviously not 

 equal to such an output. She had to be con- 

 stantly hunting to feed one larva, her own ; 

 how could she possibly manage to provide for 

 a dozen greedy mouths ? The result of this 



