HOW TO KNOW THE INSEQS 



Fig. 206. Stratlomyla 

 melglnil Wled. 



Bluish black; thorax covered 

 at sides with gray pubescence. 

 Margins of abdomen marked with 

 yellow which turns in towards 

 center at back of each seg- 

 ment. Tip of abdomen with 

 mid-dorsal yellow line. Length 

 12-14 mm. 



The Soldier Flies apparently 

 get the name from the bright 

 colored stripes with which 

 figure 206. many species are decorated. 



The members range in size from 

 small to fairly large and vary 

 a great deal in shape. Many species are found on flowers. 

 9b Discal cell at least twice as long as wide (a); squamae 

 large; two spurs at tip of middle tibiae. (The Horse Flies) 

 Fig. 207. Family 22, TABANIDAE 



Fig. 207. Tabanus laslophthalmus 

 Macq. 



Thorax black with narrow gray 

 stripes; v/ings hyaline; markings 

 on wings brown. Abdomen broadly 

 reddish on sides. Eyes pilose. 

 Length 13-15 mm. (From U.S.D.A.) 



These merciless pests of man 

 Figure 207. ^'^^ beast range from medium to 



large size. The males do not suck 

 blood but feed on the nectar or 

 pollen of flov;ers. Tularaemia and other serious diseases are 

 known to be transmitted by Horse Flies. It is a large family. 

 10a Vein above anterior cross vein two-branched (Radius four- 



.nK^'*^S^^®^^.!^®® Figs.. 208 and 209. , . , 11 



10b Vein above anterior cross vein unbranched (Radius three- 

 branched). See Fig. 211 , , . . . .13 



11a Top of head hollowed between the eyes (a), strongly con-* 

 cave when viewed from in front, three ocelli, medium to 

 large, bristly flies. (The Assassin Flies) Fig. 208. 



Family 27, ASILIDAE 



Fig. 208. Promachus vertebratus 

 Say 



Thorax black, more or less' 

 thickly covered with gray pubes- 

 cence. Abdomen pale gray with 

 black cross bar at base of each 

 segment. Tibiae and tarsi orange 

 yellow, sometimes marked with 

 blackish. Covered pretty much 

 throughout with long gray hairs. 

 Length 28-35 mm. (From U.S.D.A.) 



True to their name these highway- 

 men of the Insect world wait in 

 some advantageous post along the 

 paths frequented by insects, and 

 100 



Figure 208. 



