CRANE AND HOVER FLIES 



which is then set free on its adventurous voyage. The 

 wing of one of these insects is a very beautiful object 

 for the microscope, but the creature is an inveterate 

 enemy of mankind, and must be dealt with as such, 

 no matter how much its wonder of form and life are 

 regarded. 



Our old friend the Crane Fly, or Daddy Longlegs, 

 {Tipula oleracea) finds a place among the Tipulidce. 

 The tapering body, large gauzy wings, and long legs, 

 as well as the blundering gait, are familiar enough to 

 all country dwellers. It affects grassy districts in par- 

 ticular, the female laying her eggs among the roots of 

 this, and other plants. The hard larva is called a 

 Leather-jacket, and he it is who does the mischief. 

 The female may be known from her mate by having 

 a pointed extremity (the ovipositor) at the end of her 

 body. 



Hover-Flies (Syrphtdce) are both beneficial and de- 

 structive. Some of their larvae feed upon aphids, or 

 green-fly, and are stated to be leech-like in form. Two 

 common species that may be mentioned are Syrphus 

 albostriatus and S. ribesii. The habit of the adult in 

 hovering, or hawking, in the air with rapidly vibrating 

 wings accounts for the popular name. I have noticed 

 that, day after day, in Summer, a certain Hover Fly 

 may be seen in more or less the same place — its happy 

 hunting ground apparently — and its quick movements 

 and marvellous wing-vibrations never fail to excite my 

 interest, admiration, and wonder. There are other 



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