66 



the opinion that a thorough study of their Hfe histories and habits 

 will yield good results. In Louisiana as well as in other states a 

 number of predaceous insects contribute towards checking the 

 ravages of these Diptera. 



Among Hymenoptera the large horse guard, Monedula Carolina, 

 has striking predaceous habits. It is not uncommon to see from 

 one to half a dozen of these flying around an animal catching 

 horseflies which they carry away to their nests. I was much in- 

 terested in the species and one who observes it for a time cannot 

 help but admire its industry and skill. The regret is that it is not 

 ten times more abundant at the season when horseflies are so 

 plentiful. 



Another species of the same family as the last, Bembex belfra- 

 gei, was commonly observed catching Tabanids from grasses and 

 sedges in marshy places. This species was common but on account 

 of its habits was not so often observed as the preceding. 



Another predaceous Hymenopteron, Crabro lo-maculatus, was 

 of a great deal of interest but its habits when catching its prey 

 were different from either of the others. This species was always 

 observed flying around the building watching for flies resting on 

 the siding; when one was located it hovered for a time three or 

 four feet from its prey, then making a dash so rapidly that the 

 eye could scarcely follow it, secured and flew away with its prize. 



As Tabanids were so common everywhere I suspect many preda- 

 ceous insects that usually fed on other species, fed upon them 

 largely during the time my observations were made. Some of the 

 robberflies were rather common about the fields where the cattle 

 were pasturing and were busy capturing horseflies which had filled 

 themselves with blood and had left the animal and alighted on a 

 weed or blade of grass. 



Most of the general collecting I did was done close to the sta- 

 tion building, and many of the species were taken by sweeping, 

 but some were taken from windows and some were found resting 

 on the siding of the building. 



Beetles of the family Cicindelidae were numerous in individuals 

 but not many species were noted. T. Carolina was observed in a 

 few cases at dusk running on the ground and in one or two cases 

 I came across it by turning over boards or rubbish. C. togata is a 

 very pretty and active species. It appears to be rather common 

 but only a few specimens were taken. C. repanda and dorsalis 

 were extremely common. 



The species of Eristalis taken were common among the flowers 

 of composite plants that grew in abundance on the higher ground. 



