there were considerable numbers of curiously-shaped larvae of 

 two distinct species of Syrphus found actively at work in the 

 ears. These are the larvae of large, handsome flies, more than 

 half an inch long, with a wing expanse of slightly over an inch, 

 with bands of yellow on their bodies, known respectively as 

 Syrphus balteatus and Syrphus pyrastri. The latter fly is 

 rather larger than the former and of somewhat stouter build. 



One of the larvae, that of Syrphus pyrastri, which eventually 

 changed to a brownish cocoon, shaped like a soda- water bottle, and 

 after 15 days to a wasp-like fly, was of a greenish colour, three- 

 fourths of an inch long, with its body tapering to a point at its 

 mouth end, which, as Mr. Walker says, " is armed with a trident, or 

 " three points, on which they trans tix their prey, and then raise 

 " it in the air, and devour it."* This curious flourish in the 

 air was always made when fresh aphides were seized. Though 

 without eyes, the larva seemed to know instinctively the pro- 

 pinquity of aphides, and made, from time to time, sweeping 

 movements with the head and nearly all the body in every 

 direction. Three of these in a glass-topped box were supplied 

 with aphides daily for 8 days. They were insatiable ; the 

 quantity of aphides whose contents they sucked up was extra- 

 ordinary. One would have cleared a wheat ear in a few 

 minutes. No species of aphis that could be procured was rejected 

 by them. 



These larvae are frequently found upon aphis-infested hop 

 plants and rose trees. They should be protected as carefully as 

 ladybirds are in hop growing districts. A hop grower sent a 

 larva of Syrphus pyrastri, suggesting that it was another of the 

 numerous enemies of the hop plant. 



* " This peculiar action was invariable." Insecta Brittanica, by Francis Walker, 

 F.L.S. 



