OR, MANUAL OF THE APIARY. 497 



yellowish markings, as seen in the figure. It is also yellowish 

 beneath. It is one-half of an inch Ipng. Other similar bugs 

 may also learn that bees with their ample honey-sac full of 

 nectar are most toothsome. 



BEE-HAWK — LIBBHULA. 



These large, fine, lace-wings (Fig. 285) are Neuropterous 

 insects. They work harm to the bees mostly in the Southern 

 States, and are called mosquito-hawks. Insects of this genus 

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



Fig. 285. 



Bee-Hawk, — Original. 



exceedingly predaceous. In fact, the whole order is insectivo- 

 rous. From its four netted veined wings, we can tell it at once 

 from the Asilids, before mentioned, which have but two wings. 

 The bee or mosquito hawks are resplendent with metallic hues, 

 while the bee-killers are of sober gray. The mosquito-hawks 

 are not inaptly named, as they not only prey upon other 

 insects, swooping down upon them with the dexterity of a 

 hawk, but their graceful gyrations, as they sport in the warm 

 sunshine at noonday, are not unlike those of our graceful 

 hawks and falcons. These insects are found most abundant 

 near water, as they lay their eggs in water, where the larvae 



