Languedocian Sphex religiously consume the Ephippiger, that family dish so
dear to their ancestors and no less dear to their descendants; no
innovation in the ancient usages can tempt them. Others are better suited
by variety, for reasons connected with flavour or with facility of supply;
but then the selection of the game is kept within fixed limits. A natural
group, a genus, a family, more rarely almost a whole order: this is the
hunting-ground beyond which poaching is strictly forbidden. The law is
absolute; and one and all scrupulously refrain from transgressing it.

In the place of the Praying Mantis, offer the Mantis-hunting Tachytes an
equivalent in the shape of a Locust. She will scorn the morsel, though it
would seem to be of excellent flavour, seeing that Panzer's Tachytes
prefers it to any other form of game. Offer her a young Empusa, who differs
so widely from the Mantis in shape and colour: she will accept without
hesitation and operate before your eyes. Despite its fantastic appearance,
the Devilkin is instantly recognized by the Tachytes as a Mantid and
therefore as game falling within her scope.

In exchange for her Cleonus, give to the Great Cerceris a Buprestis, the
delight of one of her near kinsfolk. She will have nothing to say to the
sumptuous dish. Accept that! She, a Weevil-eater! Never in this world!
Present her with a Cleonus of a different species, or any other large
Weevil, of a sort which she has most probably never seen before, since it
does not figure on the inventory of the provisions in her burrows. This
time there is no show of disdain: the victim is seized and stabbed in the
regulation manner and forthwith stored away.

Try to persuade the Hairy Ammophila that Spiders have a nutty flavour, as
Lalande asserts; and you will see how coldly your hints are received.
(Joseph Jerome Le Francois de Lalande (1732-1807), the astronomer. Even