288 The Hunting IVasps 



enormous increase of family can only be want, 

 or even starvation, not for the Fly's maggots, 

 which, developing more quickly than the 

 Bembex' larva, get ahead of it and profit by 

 the days when there is still plenty for everybody, 

 as their host is too young to need much, but 

 certainly for that unfortunate host, who arrives 

 at the transformation period without being 

 able to make up for lost time. Besides, even 

 if the first visitors, in becoming pupae, leave 

 him the free run of the table, others appear 

 upon the scene, so long as the mother continues 

 to come to the nest, and complete his starvation. 

 In burrows invaded by numerous parasites, 

 the Bembex' larva is in point of fact much 

 smaller than one would suppose from the heap 

 of food consumed, the remains of which en- 

 cumber the cell. Limp, emaciated, reduced 

 to a half or a third of its normal size, it vainly 

 tries to weave a cocoon for which it does not 

 possess the silk ; and it perishes in a corner of 

 the house among the pupae of its more fortunate 

 companions. Its end may be more cruel still. 

 Should the provisions fail, should the mother- 

 nurse delay too long in returning with food, 

 the Flies devour the larva of the Bembex. I 

 verified this black deed by rearing the brood 

 myself. AH went well so long as there was 

 plenty to eat ; but, if the daily portion was 



