—Predaceous Insects and their Prey. 375 
victims on Pefialara, these beetles were by no means 
conspicuously common, while on the same ground the 
grasshopper, Gomphocerus sibiricus, was positively swarming. 
This species is certainly attacked by other kinds of Asilids: 
an example is in fact put on record in the table (No. 
192). The attacks upon Lepidoptera also probably 
indicate some preference, especially when we consider that 
only one other Geometrid victim is recorded,* and that, 
except Dysmachus, no Asilid is known as the captor of a 
Crambus, 
Hutolmus (Nos. 175, 176).—Of the two species one is 
not with certainty to be included in this genus. The 
records are insufficient to justify conclusions ; but there is 
one interesting point about Lutolmus apicatus which deserves 
notice. The species was very common on Montserrat, and 
14 specimens (6 ¢ and 8) captured July 14-15, 1901, 
exist in the Hope Collection: yet only a single pair of 
the insects were observed in coitu, and the female of this 
pair was the only individual of the species observed with 
prey (an Anthomyid fly). The coincidence supports the 
conclusion already arrived at, that females with prey are 
especially sought by the males (p. 367). 
Machimus (Nos. 177-205).—At least 7 species are dis- 
criminated by my kind friends Col. Yerbury and Mr. 
Verrall ; and no less than 29 examples of prey are recorded. 
These are so numerous and striking that the results are 
shown below in a tabular form on page 376. 
Certain preferences are very obvious in this table. The 
choice of Acridians is clearly seen in the fact that nearly 
half the number recorded for the whole of the Asilidz are 
found in the first two columns. Apart from this, the best 
known form is seen to attack beetles freely, Hymenoptera 
and Diptera slightly, while there is a single record of a 
butterfly and a Lygwid bug among the victims. J/. seti- 
barbus is only known to attack Diptera. The British 
species also exhibits a strong preference for Diptera; for 
these contribute 5 out of the 6 records of prey. The sixth 
record is interesting, as it affords the only example of an 
attack on the Cercopide as yet observed among Asilids. 
Neoitamus (Nos. 206-216).—Of the two species with 
prey there is, in the case of the British form, WV. cyanurus, 
evidence suggesting that Diptera are the chief element in 
* See, however, footnote on p. 356. 
