OR, MANUAI< OF THB APIARY. 489 



and takes captive the bee and then feeds upon Its fluids. It is 

 more common in the southern part of our country. The fly 

 (Fig. 269) has a long-, pointed abdomen, strong wings, and is 

 very powerful. I have seen an allied species attack and over- 

 come the powerful tiger-beetle, whereupon I took them both 

 with my net, and pow they are pinned, as they were captured, 

 in the college cabinet. These flies delight in the warm sun- 

 shine, are very quick on the wing, and so are, not easily cap- 

 tured. It is to be hoped that they will not become very numer- 



FiG. 269. 



Rohber-Fly. — Original. 



ous. If they should, I hardly know how they could be kept 

 from their evil work. Frightening them or catching with a 

 net might be tried, yet these methods would irritate the bees, 

 and need to be tried before they are recommended. I have 

 received specimens of this fly from nearly every Southern 

 State. During the summer-time these flies are usually well 

 employed in Michigan. They have been observed to kill the 

 cabbage butterfly by scores. The Asilids are very common in 

 California, yet I am persuaded that they do far more good than 

 harm. 



I have also a fly of the same family, with the same bee- 



