232 INSECT LIFE 



XVI 



(4) Bembex Julii (a new species). The egg 

 hatches either on a Sphaerophoria or a Pollenia 

 florahs, and the provender is a mixture of Syrphus 

 corollae, Echinomyia rubescens, Gonia atra, Pollenia 

 floralis, P. ruficollis, Clytia pellucens, Lucilia Caesar, 

 Dexia rustica, Bombylius. 



(5) Bembex rostrata. This is above all a captor 

 of gadflies. It lays its egg on a Syrphus corollae, 

 or a Lucilia Caesar, but then only brings to the 

 larva large game belonging to the various kinds of 

 Tabanus. 



(6) Bembex bidentata. Another ardent hunter of 

 gadflies. I have never seen it with other game, and 

 do not know on what the egg is laid. 



This variety of provisions shows that the Bcm- 

 becids have no exclusive tastes, and attack one and 

 all of the species of Diptera which are offered by the 

 chances of the chase. They seem, however, to have 

 some favourites — one species especially choosing 

 Bombylius, another Stomoxys, and a third and 

 fourth, Gadflies. 



