MANUAL OF THE APIARY. 299 



^Fig. 129, b) forks, while in the genus Asilus (Fig. 130) the 

 the third vein is forked, though in all three genera the third 

 joint of the antennae (Fig. 128) ends in a prolonged bristle. 



One of the most common of these pests, which I am 

 informed by Dr. Hagen, is Mallophora ordna, Weid, (Fig. 

 126) is one inch long, and expands one and three-fourths 

 inches (Fig. 127). The head (Fig. 128) is broad, the eyes 

 black and prominent, the antennae three-jointed, the last joint 

 terminating in a bristle, while the beak is Very large, strong, 

 and like the eyes and antennae, coal black. This is mostly 

 concealed by the light yellow hairs, which are crowded thick 

 about the mouth and between the eyes. 



The thorax is prominent and thickly set with light yellow 

 hairs. The abdomen is narrow, tapering, and covered with 



Fig. 129. ■ 



yellow hairs except the tip, which is black. Beneath, the 

 insect is clear black, though there are scattering hairs of 

 a grayish yellow color on the black legs. The pulvilli, or feet 

 pads (Fig. 131, V) are two in number, bright yellow in color, 

 surmounted by strong black claws (Fig. 131, a), while below 

 and between is the sharp spine (Fig, 131, c), technically known 

 as the empodium. 



I cannot give the distinctions which mark the sexes, nor 

 can I throw any light upon the larval condition of the insect. 



The habits of the flies are interesting, if not to our liking. 

 Their flight is like the wind, and perched near the hive, they 

 rush upon the unwary bee returning to the hive with its full 

 load of nectar, and grasping it with their hard strong legs, 



