




































68 THE INSECT WORLD. 
progress of the animal on the smooth and slippery surfaces of 
the mucous membranes to which it fixes itself to feed, and 
perhaps also to increase the secretion of these membranes by 
the irritation occasioned by the bristles with which they are fur- 
nished.”’ * : 
Fixed by means of these hooks to the mucous membrane 
which it perforates, the larva nourishes itself with mucus, and 
lives in this state, according to M. Joly, during nearly a whole 
year. At the end of this time it comes out, following the same 
course by which it entered, falls to the ground, and burying 
itself to the depth of a few inches, is transformed into a pupa. 
The cocoon is of a fine black colour. Thirty or forty days after 
its burial it emerges in the perfect state, and detaching the lid at 
the anterior end of the cocoon by the aid of its head, which has 
increased considerably in size, takes flight. 
Notwithstanding the formidable appearance of their trunks, the 
habits of the perfeet Conopes (Fig. 
50) are very quiet. In the adult 
state, they are only to be seen on 
flowers, of which they suck the 
honéyed juice. But with their 
larvee the case is otherwise. These 
latter live as parasites on the 
drones. Latreille saw the Conops 
rufipes issue in the perfect state 
from the body of a drone, through 
the intervals of the segments of the abdomen. 
The Muscides form that great tribe of Diptera commonly known 
as flies, and which are distributed in such abundance over the — 
whole world. Faithful companions of plants, the flies follow them 
to the utmost limits of vegetation. At the same time they are 
called upon by nature to hasten the dissolution of the dead bodies. 
In the carcasses of animals they place their eggs, and the larve | 
prey upon the corrupt flesh, thus quickly ridding the earth of 
these fatal causes of infection to its inhabitants. The organs of 

Fig. 50.—Conops. 
* “Recherches sur les (strides en général, et particuliérement sur les CAstres qui 
attaquent l’homme, le cheval, le boeuf, et le mouton.” Par N, Joly, Professeur a la 
Faculté des Sciences de Toulouse. Lyons, 1846. P. 63. 

