488 



MY GARDEN. 



The family of Syrphidse is very beneficial to the gardener, from the 

 extreme voracity of the larvae, which devour aphides. The larvae 

 are constantly to be seen on leaves infested with aphides, when their 

 mode of seizing and sucking those creatures may be often observed. 

 Scc2va pyrastri, engraved from Curtis (fig. 1078, No. 4), is a somewhat 

 large fly, with great eyes. The maggots (No. 5) are green, and change 

 into the pupa state (No. 6) before they become the perfect fly. No. 7 

 represents Sccsva ribesii, and No. i the winged creature of 5. balteata. 

 No. 2 the maggot, and No. 3 the pupa. 



Fig. 1078'. — ScsGva balteata, S. pyrastri, and S. ribesii. 



Fig. 1079. — Daddy Long-legs ; i, larva ; z, empty 

 ca.'^c ; 3, perfect insect ; 4, eggs. 



There is a very destructive family of two-winged insects, called 

 amiliarly Crane-flies or Daddy Long-legs (fig. 1079, No. 3), though 

 scientifically termed Tipula. The larvae are very destructive to many 

 vegetals, and also to the roots of dahlias in the flower-garden. The 

 larva of T. oleracea (No. i) is a maggot about an inch long, in a thick 

 jacket, but without feet. There are many species, of which I have 

 figured one of the larger from Curtis, T. paludosa, as this will show 

 to the horticulturist the character of these destructive creatures when 

 they visit the garden. I believe the roots of our plants have been at 

 times a good deal injured by the larvs of Daddy Long-legs. 



There are certain small insects of the same family which live in 

 the fingers and toes of the malformed roots of cabbages, turnips, and 



