50 



THE INSECT WORLD, 



We will mention in this group Asilus crahroniformis (Fig. 35)^ 

 an insect ten to twelve lines long, having a yellow head, black 

 antenna, and thorax of a brownish yellow. The three first segments 

 of the abdomen are black, the second and third havmg a white spot 



II 



Fig. 35.— Asilus crabronlformis. 



Fig. 36.— Bombylius major. 



on each side, the remaining segments are yellow. The wmgs aref] 

 yellowish, spotted with black on the inner and hmd margin. This' 

 species is common over the whole of Europe, and hves at the expense* 

 of caterpillars and other insects, of which it sucks the blood with the 

 greatest voracity. . . , , 1 



The Empidce live in the same way as the Asilid(Z, but the males 

 are chiefly nourished by the juices of flowers. 



