432 



The Bee Stabler. 



equally indifferent to the virtues of our friendly insects like- 

 the parasitic and predaceous species. 



We note, then, that this bug is not wholly evil, and as. 

 its destruction would be well-nigh impossible, for it is as- 

 widely scattered as are the flowers in which it lurks, we 

 may well rest its case, at least until its destructiveness. 

 becomes more serious than at present. 



THE BEE STABBER. 



In the Southern states there is another bug, Euthyrhyn- 

 chus Floridanus, Linn. (Fig. 212), which I have named the- 

 bee stabber. This bug places itself at the entrance of the 

 hive and stabs and sucks the bees till they are bloodless. 



Fig. 212. 



m 



■' 



Bee Slahher, 



As will be seen its powerful four-jointed beak fits it well 

 for this purpose. This bug is purplish or greenish blue, 

 with dull yellowish markings as seen in the figure. It is- 

 also yellowish beneath. It is one-half of an inch long. 



BEE HAWK LIBELLULA. 



These large, fine, lace-wings ( Fig. 2 1 3 ) are Neuropterous- 

 insects. They work harm to the bees mostly in the South- 

 ern states and are called mosquito hawks. Insects of this- 

 genus are called dragon flies, devil's darning needles, etc. 

 They are exceedingly predaceous. In fact, the whole sub- 

 order is insectivorous. From its four netted veined wings, 

 we can tell it at once from the asilus flies before mentioned. 



