The Hornet-Fly, 



37 



The Hornet-Fly. 



One of the largest of our two-winged flies 

 is also one of the least known. This is the 

 so-called hornet-fly,-^ that may be seen on 

 heaths and downs vigorously chasing other 

 Insects and impaling them with its stout, 

 black beak. Its general colour is brown, but 

 at the base of the long, tapering hind-body 

 there is a broad band of black. It may be 

 assumed that this style of ornamentation has 

 suggested the name ; for in flight, when 

 alone the body is seen, the fly has little other 

 resemblance to the largest of our wasps. 

 When the female is at rest, with her long, 

 brown wings disposed over the body and 

 showing only the pointed tip, there may be 

 some general resemblance to the hornet, to 

 careless observers. We have mentioned the 

 female in this connection, because the male 

 is smaller, and is less likely to be confused 

 with the hornet. From the head to the tip 

 of the hind-body the female measures a little 

 more (25 mm.) and the male a little less (20 

 mm.) than an inch. The fore-parts of the 

 body and the legs are covered with long, thick, 

 tawny hairs, and just above the prominent 

 beak there is a bushy moustache of the 

 same colour. The three-jointed antennce are 

 quite short. 



No doubt, the tapering form of the hind- 

 body, especially that of the female, would 

 produce the impression of the hornet-fly being 

 a stinging Insect ; but its only " sting " is the 

 blood-sucking beak at the other end, though 

 this is equally effective in killing its prey. Its 

 appetite for blood appears to be insatiable, 

 and it does not seem to be afraid of any other 

 Insect, even when provided with defensive 

 weapons in the shape of stings or cutting 

 jaws. One naturalist noted one of these flies 

 that killed eight moths in the space of twenty 

 minutes ; but they are as ready to attack 

 wasps, dragon-flies, and tiger-beetles, all of 

 them well -protected and predaceous Insects. 



Pnoto by] H.\Baslin 



C.\TERPILLARF OF GOAT-MOTH. 



The right-hand figure shows the caterpillar nearly fuU- 



iirown aii'l of thr- natural -!/••. 



Pholo by, 11. I. ,-:.ii. 



Chrysalis uk CiOAT-?kIoTH. 



The cocoon, constructed of silk and chips, is here cut 

 open to show the chr\salis in place. Before the moth 

 emerges the chrysalis bursts through the cocoon 

 and wriggles half-way out. 



^ Asihis cralironit'orniii-. 



