INSECT FRIENDS. 



I0 9 



CHAPTER XX. 



INSECT FRIENDS. 



Having dealt in the preceding chapter with some of the 

 principal insect pests with which chrysanthemum growers 

 have to contend, I shall now allude to some of their insect 

 friends. I need hardly say that there are insects which per- 

 form services of the greatest value to gardeners; indeed, 



Hoverer Flies. 



I Scceva balleata ; 4 Scceva pyrastri ; 7 Scava ribesii ; 2 and 5 grub ; 

 3 and 6 chrysalides. 



without their assistance it would be well-nigh impossible 

 to cultivate plants at all. 



Tlie Hoverer or Hawk Fly. 



The Hoverer flies may often be seen hovering apparently 

 motionless in the sunshine near trees or basking on leaves 

 with their wings outspread. Their grubs are most voracious 

 and feed entirely on aphides. They are quite blind, and 

 although having neither eyes nor legs, they manage to kill 

 an enormous number of aphides. The flies are of manv 



