SOME INSECT ENEMIES OF THE BEE. 441 



Linn. The specific name " phyllopus " is very appropriate, as it means leaf- 

 like foot, and doubtless was given to this insect by tlie great Swedish natur- 

 alist because of the expanded posterior tibia. The general color is brown, or 

 in some species nearly black. Kight here I wish to praise Mr. Swinson's 

 mode of sending insects, lie sent several of all ages, each in a little hole by 

 itself, and all in a long narrow pine block. I hope others will take pattern 

 after him. A beautiful pure white line extends across the 

 wing-covers, as shown in the figure, which gives a ready means 

 of identifying this bloodthirsty bug. The spines on the pos- 

 terior femora and tibise are also interesting. Say had this 

 species from Florida, and described it as albicinctus, because 

 of the characteristic white line. Glover says, this insect kills 

 the destructive cabbage-bug at Evergreen, S. C. This cab- 

 bage-plant bug, Slrachia liislrionica, is very destructive, as 

 well as quite beautiful. Thus we may conclude that this spe- 

 cies that 1 am now describing does much good, and is well 

 . .^ T, <rx I- worthy our fostering care, unless it makes too free with the 



Another Bee-Stab-, i • i t i n ;. i xi 



ber. bees, which 1 hope will not be the case. 



Our Southern bee-keepers will easily identify this insect by the white band- 

 and broad posterior legs. I am glad to get these, and all species of insects. 

 I wish they would always come in such good shape as did these. Will Mr. 

 Swinton report if he finds these bugs very destructive to his bees? I should 

 not expect such to be the case. Later Mr. E. writes me that this bug does 

 not attack bees at all, but is very destructive to tomatoes. This is very 

 curious and interesting. 



SOUTHERN" BEE-KILLEE. 



Mr. p. Hill, Narrows, Brevard Co., Fla., sends a large bumble-bee-like 

 robber-fl}^ of which he writes: *'I take the liberty to send you a fly which 

 you will please send to Prof. Cook. I caught it with a bee in its mouth. 

 He is very strong Avith his mandibles, readily biting through the thick skin 

 on the inside of my hand. I should like the name and habits of this fly." 



Mr. A. W. Tufts, of Musson, La., sends to me, through Gleanings, two 

 similar flies, except they are slightly smaller. The one from Mr. Hill might 

 be compared in size to a queen bumble-bee ; those from Mr. Tufts, to the 

 smaller Avorker. Mr. Tufts writes: "■ He is a worse enemy to the honey-bees 

 than the mosquito-hawk, or great dragon-fly. When he is disturbed he flies 

 a short distance, alights, and flies again. He will go right to the entrance of 

 the hive for his prey, thus differing from the mosquito-hawk, which takes: 

 his on the wing." 



I have received these same robber-flies from several other bee-keepers of 

 the South this season, and on previous years ; and as I have not received thesa 

 flies from the North, while the long slim black robber-flies are also destruc- 

 tive North, I will call these the Southern bee-killers. As there are no good 

 illustrations of these flies, so far as I know, I will send a good figure and. 

 quite full description. 



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