IDS 



SOI III INDIAN tNSJBCTS, ETC 'CHAP. XN|. 



even the social species, the smaller ones at any rate, arc usVally 

 quite unobjectionable inmates of a bungalow. 



Amongst the flies, the Asilidae or Robber-flies are entirely 

 predaceous, being provided with a stout horny beak which ran 



\ 



/ 



? X ! 



t 



. 



\-ilid Fly. On the lefl is a side-view >■!' the head, showing ilir 

 stoutly-built beak : the outline figure on the right shows the 

 natural size. (Original.) 



inflict a nasty poisoned wound in the case of the larger species. 

 These flies are all extremely rapid flyers and capture their prey 

 on the wing. Of the various other groups of predaceous Diptera 

 the Syrphidae are of the greatest practical importance, although 

 re only predaceous in the larval stage at which period of 

 life they live entirely upon Aphid* : the flies themselves, many of 

 which superficially resemble bees and wasps, frequent flowers and 

 leaves and may often be seen hovering motionless in the air, 

 whence they are sometimes called "Hover-flies." The eggs are 

 laid on plants infested by Aphids, which the larva 1 seize and 

 devour, sometimes, as in the case of the Ragi Root Aphid, even 

 following their prey below-ground. 



The Chrysopidae, or Lace-wing Flies, have habits somewhat 

 similar to the Syrphidae, their eggs also being laid on plants and 

 their larvae feeding on Aphid*. The eggs are very characteristic, 

 being laid in groups, each egg deposited at the tip of a long slender 

 stalk ; it i* possible that this arrangement preserves the remaining 

 from the cannibal propensities of the first-hatched larvae. 



The Myrmeleonidae, or Ant-lions, are not commonly noticed a* 

 adults, in which state they look like weak-winged dragonflies, a* 

 their flight is apparently nocturnal, but they are sometimes attracted 

 in light at night. The larval pits, however, are familiar objects in 



