partiil-oonclusion. 



HABITS OF THE SYRPHID^. 



In their adult habits the SyrjjMdce all show a great uniformity. They 

 are flower-flies, and feed upon honey and pollen. They are observed 

 on blossoms of sweet-smelling, melliferous plants, such as the hymenop- 

 tera prefer; and patches in bloom of blackberry (Eiihus), wild cherry 

 {Primns), dogwood {Cornus), Canada thistle (Cirsum), and elderberry 

 will always be sure to reward the patience of the collector. Some spe- 

 cies, as those of Syritta, Sphccrophoria, Mesograpta, etc., will be seen 

 wherever there are blossoms. Species of the last, especially, are very 

 abundant about corn-fields when the plants are in blossom, and will 

 frequently alight upon one's hands; these "sweat-flies" are feared by 

 not a few persons, under the belief that they will " sting." All are sun- 

 shine-loving, and will rarely be found except in the middle of bright 

 unclouded days. To collect most of the Syrphini, Eristalini^ and fol- 

 lowing species, one should seek some patch of honey-bearing flowers, 

 such as I have indicated, and patiently stand and watch for their ap- 

 pearance, moving only slowly about. The Chilosini will mostly be 

 caught in beating, or in sunshiny, meadowy spots in the woods. Some 

 species, as those of Xylota, are found among the foliage of bushes in 

 blossom, and here and there appearing in sight, resting upon some leaf. 

 Species of Chrysogaster will be found on flowers in damp places, and are 

 easily captured, their flight being slow. Species of Neoascia will be 

 readily overlooked unless especial attention is devoted to them. They 

 live among low bushes and are not usually taken from flowers. Species 

 of Spliegina, on the other hand, are found about flowers, especially in 

 elevated regions. Specimens of Bacclia will rarely be taken when at 

 rest ; like most of the slender species they are constantly on the wing, 

 and only now and then rest very lightly upon some sunny leaf or blos- 

 som. Owing to their wide distribution a considerable number of species 

 in any one locality will reward long-continued collecting. In a few days, 

 in the first week in August, I obtained forty-seven near the base of 

 Mount Washington, the majority of them from a single patch of elder- 

 berry blossoms not a rod in diameter, near the edge of the forest. The 

 bright yellow markings of many lose their freshness after death, and 

 the specimens should never be allowed to be moistened or wetted. The 



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