PTPTERA. 223 



of its segments very distinct ; inhabits moist sand, mud, 

 and moss. Pupa changes in the same situations. Imago 

 with the antemKB composed of seven joints ; the basal 

 joint longer than the second, the remaining five united into 

 one, which is acute at the apex; the ligula is short, linear, 

 and bilobed ; the wings cover the body ; alula obsolete ; 

 body very hairy. Inhabits the sand of the sea-shore, roads, 

 &c., maliing short flights : preys on small insects. Tliereva. 



Tiger flies or Asilites. Larva inhabits the earth ; it is 

 elongate, cylindrical, slightly depressed, very smooth, and 

 has a corneous head, which is armed with two hooks : 

 feeds on the minute insects which abound near the surface 

 of the ground, especially at the roots of grass. Pupa 

 smooth, anteriorly cylindrical, posteriorly conical ; the body 

 laterally, and at the extremity, is furnished with small 

 spines. Imago with the anteniKB five-jointed ; the basal 

 and second joints moderately long, the three forming the 

 apical portion always distinct; the terminal joint acute, 

 but not setiform ; ligula large, cylindrical, and corneous ; 

 ocelli three ; wings as long as the body, which they cover 

 horizontally ; alula obsolete ; body elongate, hairy. In- 

 habits heaths, &c., settling on the ground, and preying on 

 other insects. Dasypogon, Asilus, Gonipes. 



Midas flies or Midasites. Larva supposed in one in- 

 stance to be parasitical on a species of Prionus. Pupa un- 

 known. Imago with the antennce five-jointed ; the basal 

 joint long, the second short and nearly globular, the three 

 forming the apical portion united into an elongate, stout 

 club, on which the union of the joints is marked trans- 

 versely ; ligula longer and more acute than in the Asilites ; 

 maxillcs and mandibles acute ; oceWi nearly obsolete ; wings 

 as in the Asilites ; legs and body hirsute. Inhabits woods 

 and forests, settling on leaves, &c., preying voraciously on 

 insects, particularly Hymenoptera. Dioctria, Laphria. 



