ASILUS. ASILUS. 
r 
Generic Character. 
Os rostro corneo, porrecto, 'ait, horny, 
recto, bivalvi. 
TP 
X HE most common European species of Asiliis 
is the Asilus crabronif'ormis, a moderately large 
insect, nearly equalling a Hornet in length, but 
of a much more slender and sharpened form : the 
head and thorax are of a ferruginous colour: the 
eyes black: the upper half of the abdomen velvet- 
black, the lower half bright orange-colour, the 
whole having a bright silky or downy surface: the 
^vings are dull yellotv-brown, semi-transparent, 
and marked on their inner edge by several dusky 
triangular dashes or spots, Avith the bases towards 
the edge of tlie wing. 
Though of a somewhat formidable aspect, this 
insect is incapable of piercing Avith any degree of 
severity. It preys on the smaller kind of insects, 
and proceeds from a smooth, yellowish-white, 
subterraneous larva, of a lengthened shape, and 
destitute of legs: the pupa resembles that of a 
Tipula. 
Tile Asilus gihhosus is a larger species, nearly 
