762 



[NSECTS ABROAD. 



The species which is given in the illustration is chocolate- 

 brown on the thorax, and blackish brown on the abdomen. 

 There is a very narrow collar of yellow between the head and 

 the thorax. The wings are singularly handsome, being the 

 richest brown by way of ground colour, and having several 

 large translucent spots of yellow. It is a native of Southern 

 Africa. 



This is a very large genus, spread about over the whole world, 

 and extending even to England, where we have several species. 



The form of Bombylius analis must be familiar to every 

 English entomologist, on account of the Humble-bee Flies, as 



they are popularly called, 

 which are so well known in 

 this country. These insects 

 are spread all over the 

 world, wherever flowers can 

 grow, and they feed, like 

 many of the Hawk Moths, 

 by poising themselves on 

 the wing before a flower, 

 and extracting its juices 

 with the long and straight 

 proboscis. 



The present species is a 

 native of Southern Africa. 

 The thorax and abdomen 

 are covered with long black 

 hair, with the exception of a large patch at the end of the 

 abdomen, which is white in some specimens and golden yellow 

 in others. The wings are nearly translucent, but they are dark 

 brown at the base, and a wavy patch of very pale brown runs 

 parallel with the upper edge. 



I \ the family of the Conopsidic, the larvae are parasitic upon 

 other insects, mostly belonging to the bee tribe. One species, 

 Gonojp8 rumpes, was found by Latreille to undergo its trans- 

 formations within the abdomen of the living humble-bee, and 

 the insect has been seen patiently flying in chase of the bee. 

 The word Connps h Greek, and was used to signify a large kind 



Fig, 500.— Bombylius analis. 



(Black anil yellow or white.) 



