situations, their actions are much alike and the 

 sounds produced by the vibrations of their wings are 

 similar. Anyoiie interested in mimicry and protect- 

 ive resembance would do well to make some observa- 

 tions on the members of this family. 



As with many other groups, no attempt has been 

 made in former years to catalogue our Syrphidas, and, 

 as far as I know, not a single species has ever been 

 put down in literature as coming from Ohio, 

 although many, from their published distribution 

 would be considered as belonging to our fauna. 



During the past few years, while collecting insects 

 of various orders in different parts of the state. I have 

 obtained a number of species. Mr. Dury. of 

 Cincinnati, has collected a number, and other col- 

 lectors have added one now and then, so that we have 

 about one-eighth of the North American species repre- 

 sented in the University collection. 



In the following list it is not my purpose to give 

 all the species taken in the state, but only twenty-five 

 of the best known and in many cases the most 

 common. > i-eport on the remaning species, and 

 additions in the future, can be made at another 

 time. 



1. Chrysotoxum laternlc, Loew. Taken at 

 Medina, August s, iS'js. When taken, the specimens 

 were flying in an open spot in the woods. When on 

 the wing they api)ear much like the common Vespa 

 germanica, being very near it in size. The noise of 

 their wings first attracted my attention. 



'I. Syrphus xanthostomus, Williston. Taken at 

 Medina and Akron. August 8 — '^-i, 'US. The species 

 seem to be quite common as numerous specimens were 

 taken, all of them around flowers growing in sunny 

 places, in woodlands. 



;}. Syrphus ribesii, Linn. Taken in all parts of 

 the State, common on flowers of various kinds but 



