CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 189 



inhabits moist sand, mud, and moss. Pupa changes 

 in the same situations. Imago with the antennas 

 composed of seven joints ; the basal joint longer 

 than the second, the remaining five united into 

 one, which is acute at the apex ; the ligula is 

 short, linear, and bilobed; the wings cover the 

 body ; alulae obsolete ; body very hairy. Inhabits 

 the sand of the sea shore, roads, &c. making short 

 flights : preys on small insects. Thereva. 



678. Tiger flies (Asilites). Larva inhabits the 

 earth ; it is elongate, cylindrical, slightly depressed, 

 very smooth, and has a corneous head, which is 

 armed with two hooks : feeds on the minute in- 

 sects which abound near the surface of the ground, 

 especially at the roots of grass. Pupa smooth, 

 anteriorly cylindrical, posteriorly conical; the 

 body laterally, and at the extremity, is furnished 

 with small spines. Imago with the antennae five- 

 jointed ; the basal and second joints moderately 

 long, the three forming the apical portion always 

 distinct ; the terminal joint acute, but not setiform ; 

 ligula large, cylindrical, and corneous ; ocelli 

 three ; wings as long as the body, which they 

 cover horizontally ; alulae obsolete ; body elongate, 

 hairy. Inhabit heaths, &c., settling on the ground, 

 and preying on other insects Dasypogon, Asilus, 

 Gonipes. 



679. Midas flies (Midasites). Larva and pupa 

 unknown. Imago with the antennas five-jointed ; 

 the basal joint long, the second short and nearly 



