5O THE INSECT WORLD. 



We will mention in this group Asilus crabroniformis (Fig. 35), 

 an insect ten to twelve lines long, having a yellow head, black 

 antennae, and thorax of a brownish yellow. The three first segments 

 of the abdomen are black, the second and third having a white spot 



Fig. 35. Asilus crabroniformis. Fig. 36. Bombylius major. 



on each side, the remaining segments are yellow. The wings are 

 yellowish, spotted with black on the inner and hind margin. This 

 species is common over the whole of Europe, and lives at the expense 

 of caterpillars and other insects, of which it sucks the blood with the 

 greatest voracity. 



The Empida live in the same way as the Asilida, but the males 

 are chiefly nourished by the juices of flowers. 



