282 
HALF HOURS WITH INSECTS. 
[Packard. 
formis ) simulate members of nearly every hymenopterous 
family, as we can see when recalling such, names as apifor - 
mis, vespiformis , philanthiformis , tiphiceformis, scoliceformis, 
spheciformis , clirysidiformis , cynipidiformis , formiciformis , 
ichneumoniformis , uroceriformis, and tenthrediniformis. So 
also other Algerians resemble different family forms of Dip- 
tera, as seen in the names culiciformis , tipuliformis, bibio- 
formis, anthraciformis, muscceformis, etc. In the Diptera 
we find Bombylius, resembling, as its name implies, Bom- 
bus ; and also Laphria, which so closely apes the humble-bee 
in its form, coloration, size and flight, even to the buzz, 
which is, if anything, still louder. Also, there is the strong¬ 
est resemblance in some Syrphi to Vespa, and especially to 
different species of Crabro. But while the Lepidoptera and 
fig. 219. Diptera. resemble the Hymenoptera, we cannot 
say that Hymenoptera ever assume the form of 
any flies and moths. They seem isolated, and 
resemble only themselves. In the case of the 
Laphria, the plump, bee-like form, and the dense 
yellow and black hirsuties, which cause them to 
be mistaken for humble-bees by persons unacquainted with 
their structural differences, are just those features that are 
exceptional in the Diptera, and are normal in the Hymenop¬ 
tera. The fly to get them has to pass over one suborder 
to obtain a bizarre form which is a prevalent and common 
attribute of the Apidse. 
“ There is a similar parallelism of analogous forms between 
the Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Orthoptera, and Neuroptera, 
which seem bound together bjr affinities such as those that 
unite by themselves the bees, moths, and flies. Thus there 
are certain Hemiptera (Corixa) that resemble the coleop¬ 
terous genus Brachys ; Forficula is analogous to the Staphy- 
linidse and Blatta may be said to resemble some Lampyridse. 
The close affinities between the Orthoptera and Neuroptera 
hardly admit of these analogous forms, though we find them 
26 
iEgeria. 
