324 Enemies of Bees — Bee-Hawk. 



terflies, moths, and even bees and wasps. We have already 

 noticed how well prepared it is for this work by its jaw-like 

 anterior legs, and its sharp, strong, sword-like beak. 



It is often caught on the golden rod. This plant, from its 

 color, tends to conceal the bug, and from the character of the 

 plant — being attractive as a honey plant to bees — the slow bug 

 is enabled to catch the spry and active honey-bee. 



As Prof. Uhler well says of the "stinging-bug:" "It is 

 very useful in destroying caterpillars and other vegetable-feed- 

 ing insects, but is not very discriminating in its tastes, and 

 would as soon seize the useful honey-bee as the pernicious saw- 

 fly." And he might have added that it is equally indifferent 

 to the virtues of our friendly insects like the parasitic and pre- 

 dacious 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. 



bee- hawk. — Libellidce. 



These large, fine, lace-wings are neuropterous insects. They 

 work mostly in the Southern States and are called Mosquito- 

 hawks. Insects of this genus are called dragon flies, devil'^ 

 darning-needles, etc. These are exceedingly predacious. In 

 fact, the whole sub-order is insectivorous. From its four net- 

 ted, veined wings, we can tell it at once from the asilus flies 

 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 pray 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 

 noon-day, arenot unlike those of our graceful hawks and fal- 

 cons. These insects are found most abundant near water, as 

 they lay their eggs in water, where the larv* live and feed 

 upon other animals. The larvaa are peculiar in breathing by 

 gills in the rectum. The same water that bathes these organs 

 and furnishes oxygen, is sent out in a jet, and thus sends the 

 insect darting along. The larvae also possess enormous jaws, 

 which formidable weapons are masked till it is desired to use 



