52 



THE INSECT WORLD. 



nnd while resting on the corolla of the honeysuckle and hawthorn to 

 ^uck the ju^^^^^^ a most striking contrast, ana sets lorth its 



beauty no less than that of those lovely flowers. 



Anthrax siniiata is common m Europe. 



T e family of the Syrphidce includes three ^f^^^}'^'^^ ^^Jf^ 

 which we cannot pass over m silence. They are Venmleo^ Volucella, 



^S:o% Gceri (Fig. 37), wl-h inhabits t^^entral ^ 

 southern parts of France, is four or five lines m length Its lace 

 kwHte- its forehead grey, bordered with black; the thorax of a 

 yeirowl^h g^ej^^with fou'r taown stripes m .the n,ale ; the abdomen 

 light yellow, spotted with black ; and the wmgs glassy. 



ipjg 27. — Vermileo de Geeri. 



Fig. 38. -A species of Volucella. 



The larva of the Vermileo has a thin cylindrical body, capable of| 

 bending itself in every direction ; a conical head armed with two:] 

 horny points ; and the last segment elongated, flat, elevated, and 

 termmated by four hairy tentacles ; at the sides of the fifth segment 

 may be observed a little angle, from which projects a horny retractile 



^°"lt is of very singular habits. It makes a small tunnel in the 

 sand, having a conical mouth, where it waits, like the spider mi- 

 r^ovible. As soon as an insect falls into the hole, it raises its head , 

 and squeezing its prey in the folds of its body, devours it and after 

 wards throws out the skin. It hves in this way for at least three 

 years before attaining the perfect state. .!,» 1,„mhlp 



The Volucellm (Fig. 38) have a strong resemblance to the humble 

 bee. Certain kinds^mike use and abuse of this resemblance t 

 introduce themselves fraudulently into its nests, and to deposit tlier 



