THE INSECT WORLD. 



343 



with metallic yellow or brown. The female only has the blood- 

 sucking habit, the males feeding usually upon pollen, and being, 

 therefore, rarely noticed, except by the collector. The larvae 

 are elongated, somewhat flattened creatures, some living in the 

 soil, some in water, and some in marshes, preying upon what- 

 ever comes in their way. In this stage they might possibly be 



Fig. 392. 



Horse-fly, Tabanus atratus.— a,\a.r\?L\ 3, pupa ; c, adult. 



reckoned of some benefit, did they inhabit places frequented by 

 injurious insects ; but at best they are harmless, — unlike their 

 parents in this as in all other respects. 



Horses driven through districts badly infested by these insects 

 should be furnished with a netting, and, if it is necessary to keep 

 the animals for any time exposed to attack, the fish oil and car- 

 bolic acid mixture already recommended can be used to repel 

 the flies. It need be applied only in such places as the animal 

 cannot conveniently reach with its tail, or which is not sheltered 

 by a netting. 



Somewhat resembling "horse-flies" in appearance are the 

 members of the family Stratiouiyiidce , or " soldier-flies," so called 

 because of their often bright bandings of green and yellow. 

 They have the same general shape but rather longer antennae, 

 with broader, much more flattened, abdomen. They are not 

 troublesome in any stage, and are referred to simply because of 



