Let us note at the outset that each grub requires one pea; it is the necessary ration, and is largely sufficient to one larva, but is not enough for several, nor even for two.

One pea to each grub, neither more nor less, is the unchangeable rule.
We should expect to find signs of a procreative economy which would impel the female to take into account the number of peas contained in the pod which she has just explored; we might expect her to set a numerical limit on her eggs in conformity with that of the peas available.

But no such limit is observed.

The rule of one pea to one grub is always contradicted by the multiplicity of consumers.
My observations are unanimous on this point.

The number of eggs deposited on one pod always exceeds the number of peas available, and often to a scandalous degree.