49 8 DIPTERA 



CHAP. 



of a Bombus several months after the latter had been killed and 

 placed in an entomologist's collection. The larva is broad, and 

 when full grown apparently occupies nearly all the space of 

 the interior of the abdomen of the bee ; it has very peculiar 

 terminal stigmata. The pupa is formed in the larval skin, 

 which is greatly shortened and indurated for the purpose ; this 

 instar bears, in addition to the posterior stigmata, a pair of 

 slightly projecting, anterior stigmata. We have several species 

 of Conopidae in Britain ; those belonging to the division 

 Conopinae are all rare Insects, but the Myopinae are not so 

 scarce ; these latter are believed to be of similar habits with 

 the Conopinae, though remarkably little is known about them. 

 This is another of the numerous families, the relations of which 

 are still a subject for elucidation. Brauer places the Conopidae in 

 his section Schizophora away from Syrphidae, but we do not com- 

 prehend on what grounds ; an inspection of the head shows that 

 there is no frontal luiiule as there is in Eumyiidae ; both Myopa and 

 Gonops agreeing fairly well with Syrplms as to this. We therefore 

 place the family in its old position near Syrphus till the relations 

 with Acalypterate Muscidae shall be better established. 



Fam. 32. Syrphidae (Hover -flics). Of moderate or rather 

 large size, frequently spotted or banded with yellow, with a thick 

 fleshy proboscis capable of being withdraion into a cleft on the 

 under side of the head ; antennae not placed in definite cavities, 

 three-jointed (usually very short), and leaving a seta that is not 

 terminal in position, and may be feathered. Squama variable, never 

 entirely covering the halteres; the chief (third to fifth) longitudinal 

 veins of the ivings connected near their termination by cross-veins 

 and usually thus forming a sort of short margin parallel with the 

 hind edge of the wing ; a more or less imperfect false nervure run- 

 ning between the third and fourth longitudinal nervures ; no em- 

 podium and generally no distinct system of bristles on the back of 

 the body. The Syrphidae (Fig. 212) form one of the largest and 

 best known of all the families of Hies ; they abound in our gardens 

 where, in sunny weather, some species may be nearly always 

 seen hovering over flowers, or beneath trees in places where the 

 rays of the sun penetrate amidst the shade. There are two or 

 three thousand species known, so that of course much variety 

 exists ; some are densely covered with hair (certain Volucella and 

 others), many are of elegant form, and some bear a consider- 



