S. W. Bromley.
Asilids and their Prey.
Psyche 21:192-204, 1914.

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192 Psyche [December
development which was then termed a "semi-pupa." It is doubt- ful if larvae assuming this state ever successfully develop into adults.
The accompanying illustration shows the dorsal view of the glossy, brown larvae (enlarged five diameters) a lateral view of the semi-pupa or prothetelic state (four diameters), and a natural size view of the first lot of larvae.
ASILIDS AND THEIR PREY,
BY STANLEY W. BROMLEY,
Southbridge, Mass,
While collecting insects during the summers of 1912-13 at Southbridge, Mass., I was attracted by the predaceous habits of certain Asilidse and the apparent partiality of some of the species for Hymenoptera, while others, as for example, Asilus sericeus, would almost invariably seize a Lepidopterous insect. To ascer- tain more fully the feeding habits of the species, I made a special collection of Asilidae with their prey.
.
Asa Fitch in his Ninth Report, page 251, pi. 4, fig. 7, refers to what is now called Promachus fitchii 0. S., as the "Nebraska Bee-killerv-Trupanea apiwra, stating that he had received it from Nebraska where it was destructive to the honey bee and also to the rose bug. As torobber-flies killing bees, I have not seen them do much damage, but I have never observed them closely in the vicinity of hives. Most of the bees taken were in the field, prob- ably at quite a distance from any apiary. They might, however, become injurious if abundant near a hive, for they always capture their prey on the wing and would undoubtedly seize indiscrimin- ately any bee that came within their range. As the various species of Vespa and other Hymenoptera were more plentiful in the fields than the honey bee, these fell victims to the ravenous appetites of the Asilids which preyed also on members of their own family and, indeed, even on those of the same species. As far as my observations go, there are very few insects that will attack robber-flies. I have seen a species of Crabro sting and



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19141 Bromley-Asilids and their Prey 193 carry off a male Erax astuans, and have also seen hornets kill small Asilids. Spiders are, however, formidable enemies of robber-flies I have taken three Proctocanthus philadelphicus from webs of spiders; one from an Epeirid web and two from a web of Agalena; six Deromyia umbrina from Argiope riparia, Dasyllis thoracica from Theridium tepidarorium, and many small Asilids and Erax cestuans from Theridium, Epiera and Linyphia.
I am greatly indebted to Mr. C. W. Johnson of the Boston Society of Natural History for many suggestions and kind assist- ance in naming the insects included in the following lists. Asilus sericeus Say.
(Lepidoptera)
1 Euvanessa antiopa
1 Archytas analis
1 Satyrus alope
1 Eudamus tityrus
8 Colias philodice
1 Noctua sp.
2 Chrysophanus hypophlceus
1 Enallagma sp?
1 Typhlocyba sp?
2 Metopia leucocephala
1 Chrysopa sp?
(~i~tera)
Asilus lecythus Walker.
(Odonata)
Asilus orphne Walker.
(Hemiptera)
1 Formica sp? Q
Asilus notatus Wiedemann. '
(Diptera)
2 Sarcophaga sp?
(Neuroptera)
Asilus erythrocnemius Hine.
(Hymenop tera)
Asilus latipennis Hine 8.
(Diptera)
1 Asilus latipennis 8'




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194 Psyche [December
Proctacanthus philadelphicus Macquart.
(Hymenoptera)
10 Apis mellifica
3 Vespa maculata
7 Bombus vagans
5 V. arenaria
5 B. impatiens
2 V. vulgaris
2 B. perplexus
25 V. diabolica
1 B. affinis
17 V. germanica
1 B. bimaculatus
9 V. sp?
1 B. sp?
1 Ancistrocerus copra
1 Melissodes dentiventris
1 Gorytes simillimus
1 Andrena nubicula
4 A philanthops frigid us
2 A. sp?
1 Ceropales fraterna
2 Halictus nymphacorum
1 Psammochares biguttata
2 H. lerouxii
1 P. cylindrica
2 H. sp?
1 P. sp?
1 Sphecodes sp?
4 Tiphia inornala
1 Crabro sexmaculatus
3 T. transversa
1 Tachysphex sp?
3 T. sp?
1 Sceliphron cementarium
1 Camponotus pennsylvanicus 9
6 Formica fusca and vars? 9 3
1 Ichneumon trizonatus
1 Lasius umbratus $
3 I. creperus
2 Myrmica rubra 9
1 I. montanus
5 Pimpla pedalis
1 I. parvus
1 Anomalon sp?
1 I. lcetus
1 Pamphilius sp?
2 I, Instabilis
. 9 I. sp?
(Dip tera)
2 Pachyrhina sp?
3 Deromyia winthemi
2 Tabanus microcephalus
2 Eristal-is tenax
4 Pangonia rasa
1 Chrysotoxum derivatum
1 Chrysops univittatus
2 Tachina sp?
1 Psilocephala hcemorroidalis
4 Ptilodexia tibialis
1 Asilus notatus
1 Othalia cornicina
1 A. sadytes
2 Sarcophaga sp?
1 Erax cestuans
1 Phormia regina
1 Proctacanthus philadelphicusc?
1 Muscina stabulans
(this was killed by a largec?)
1 Pollenia rudis
4 Deromyia umbrinac? $
1 Eurosta comma
(Lepidoptera)
1 Chrysophanus hypophlceus
1 Feltia herilis?
1 Pamphila hianna
1 Crambus leachellus
(Coleoptera)
3 Cincindela punctdata
1 Onthophagus hecate
5 Aphodius firnetamis
1 Balanius uniformis




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19141 Bromley-Asilids and their Prey
(Hemiptera)
1 Ceresa biceros
1 Bancisa dimidiata
1 Jassus olitorius
1 Euschi~tus fissilis
1 Alydus eurinus
1 E. trwtigmus
1 Campylenchnia curvata
1 Stictocephala sp.?
1 Eurygaster alternata
(Orthoptera)
1 Camnula pelucida
1 Nemtettix cristattus
6 Orphulella speciosa
1 Enallagma sp?
(Odonata)
1 Sympetrum rubicundulum
Erax sestuans Lime.
(Hymenoptera)
1 Fomica fusca var?
1 Ichneumon sp?
(Diptera)
1 Atomosia puella
(Coleoptera)
1 Melanotus sp?
1 Carpophilus hemipterus
1 Pachybrachys atomarius
(Hemiptera)
1 Carynota muskokensis
Erax rufibarbis Macquart.
(Hymenoptera)
1 Halictus nymphf~wum,
1 Pimpla pedalis
1 Ich neumon sp?
1 Eristalis tenax
1 Sarcophaga sp?
1 Muscina sp?
1 Crambus sp?
1 Tomaspis bicincta
(Diptera)
1 Stomoxys calcitrans
1 Peleteria robusta
(Lepidoptera)
(Hemiptera)




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Psyche
[December
1 Haliclus ligatus
2 H. nymphacorum
1 H. lerouxii
1 H. sp?
3 Vespa diabolica
1 Asilus orphne
1 A. novce-scotice
1 Hoplia equina
Promachus bastardi Macquart.
(Hymenoptera)
1 Ambyteles rubivagus
1 Ichneumon flavizonatus
1 I. l(BtUs
1 I. sp.?
2 Pimpla pedalis
(Diptera)
1 Sarcophaga sp?
(Coleoptera)
1 Limonius sp?
(Hemiptera)
1 Lygus pratensis
$2 Apis mellifica
1 Bombus vagans
2 Andrena nubicula
1 Megachile avara?
2 Halictus ligatus
9 H. nympho~orum
2 H. provancheri
7 H. sp?
1 Vespa diabolica
2 Augochlora sp ?
1 Ancwtrocerus capra
1 Tabanus microcephalus
1 Asilus snowii
2 A. notatus
7 Erax cestuans Q 3
1 Promachus jitchii
1 Cicindela punctulata
1 Amara wida
1 Haplandrus fernoratus
1 Elater sp?
2 Melanotus sp?
Promachus fitchii Osten Saken
(Hymenoptera)
1 Aphilanthops frigidus
2 Tiphia inornata
1 T. transversa
1 T. sp?
8 Formica fusca and vars? 9 c?
1 Ichneumon trizonatus
1 I. rubivagus
1 I. comes
2 I. sp?
2 Pimpla pedalis
(Diptera)
1 Promachus bastardi
2 Atomosia puella
1 Mesogramma marginatus
1 Syrphus sp?
(Coleoptera)
2 Hoplia equina
1 Macrodactylus subspinosus
1 Onthophagus hecate
7 Aphodius fimetarius




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19141 Bromley-Adids and their Prey
(Lepidoptera)
1 Chrysophanus hypophlceus
1 Pyrausta sp?
1 Pamphila peckius
(Hemiptera)
1 Corizus sp?
1 Eurygaster alternatus
1 Lygus pratensis
1 Chlorochroa persimillis
1 Emblethis vicarius
1 Euschistus fissilis
Dasyllis thoracica Fabricius.
(Hymenoptera)
1 Halictus lerouxii
(Coleoptera)
1 Macrodactylus subspinosus
1 Glypioscelis pubescens
Dasyllis posticata Say.
(Coleoptera)
9 Aphodius fimetarius
Dasyllis flavicollis Say.
(Coleoptera)
1 Telephorus carolinensis
Cyrtopogon marginalis Loew
(Trichoptera)
1 Trichopterid
(Hemiptera)
1 Winged aphid
10 Apis mellifica
1 Bombus impatiens
2 B. fervidus
2 B. vagans
1 Andrena sp?
1 Halictus sp?
1 Collates americana
11 Vespa diabolica
2 V. vulgaris
2 V. arenaria
1 Gorytes simillimus
1 Cerceris deserta
Deromyia umbrina Loew.
(Hymenop tera)
2 Crabro interuptus
1 Ammophila sp ?
1 Sceliphron cementarium
1 Bembidula ventralis
å 1 Campoplex sp?
1 Anthophihis bilunatus
1 Taxonus nigrisoma
1 Exochilium nigrovarium
4 Ichneumon sp?
2 I. saucius
3 Pimpla pedalis
1 Thyreodon morio




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Psyche
[December
3 Pangonia rasa
1 Asilus sericeus
1 A. novos-scotice
1 A. snowvi
1 Trichius aifinw
1 Ceresa taurina
2 Formica fusca 9
(Dip tera)
1 Erax cestuans
1 Leptogaster badius
1 Eristalis tenax
1 Hdictus nymphceorum
1 Evania appendigaster
1 Formica fusca var?
1 Augochlora similis
(Coleoptera)
(Hemiptera)
Deromyia winthemi Wiedemann.
(Hymenoptera)
1 Campoplex sp?
1 Ichneumon w-album
1 Anomalon sp?
Ceraturgus cruciatus Say.
(Hymenoptera)
1 Formica sp? 9
(Coleoptera)
1 Macrodactylus subspinosus




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19141 Exchange,
EXCHANGE COLUMN
Will exchange insects of various orders for Parasitic Hymenoptera from any part of the world.-C. T. Brues, Bussey Institution, Forest Hills, Mass. Wanted. Ants from all parts of the world.-W. M. Wheeler, Bussey Institution, Forest Hills, Mass.
I pay cash or give American and exotic insects in exchange for fertile eggs of Catocala spp., living Catocala 9 9 (captured specimens only), hibernating pupae and larvae of any other group of Lepidoptera.-William Reiff, 366 Arborway, Jamaica Plain, Boston, Mass.
Florida insects of all orders, also Fish, Batrachians, Reptiles, Shells and Marine Invertebrates sold by A. G. Reynolds, Gulfport, Florida. New England Orthoptera identified. I wish to examine adult orthoptera of all families from all parts of New England. Material will be identified for the privi- lege of retaining desired examples, for which good exchanges will be given, subject to approval of owner.-A. P. Morse, Wellesley College, Wellesley, Mass. The undersigned will greatly appreciate receiving records of New Jersey species not listed in Smith's Insects of New Jersey.-Harry B. Weiss, 272 Hale St., New Brunswick, N. J.
Offered for cash, but exchange preferred. Fitch and early Illinois reports;
Insect Life; Harris's Insect; many others.-J. E. Hallinen, Cooperton, Okla. Histeridse. North American Histeridse identified or unidentified, desired in exchange for beetles of other families.
F. G. Carnochan, Bussey Institution,
Forest Hills, Massachusetts.
Hemiptera-Heteroptera.
I desire specimens of this group from all regions, especially New England.
I will give in exchange species of this and other orders (except Lepidoptera), and will identify New England material. Correspondence desired.-H. M. Parshley, Bussey Institution, Forest Hills, Mass. Wanted: Psyche, Vol. VIII, No. 265 (May, 1898); No. 267 (July, 1898); No, 268 (August, 1898); Vol. IX, No. 300 (April, 1901). Address, giving price, Librarian, Stanford University, Cal.
Sarcophagidee from all parts of the world bought or exchanged according to arrangement.
North American material determined.-R. R. Parker, Entomolo- gical Laboratory, Massachusetts Agricultural College, Amherst, Mass. Advertisements.
A new edition of the Naturalistsy Directory has just been published by S. E. Cassino, Salem, Mass.
This directory is invaluable to naturalists since it is the means of bringing together students and collectors in all parts of the world through correspondence. The directory contains an alphabetical list of English speaking professional and amateur Naturalists in all parts of the world, also a list of Scientific Societies and Periodicals. The price of the Directory is $2.50 in Cloth Binding and $2.00 in Paper Binding. Sent postpaid. As only a limited edition has been printed it is advisable for any one wishing a copy to order at once.




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Psyche
PSYCHE.
INDEX OF SUBJECTS.
Aberration of Colias hyale, 50.
Acarians from Brazil, 160.
Achorotile, 164.
Aedes panayensis, 1.59.
Aedine, a new, 159.
Alimentary canal of Cercopid, 65.
Anasa tristis, mouthparts of, 99.
Ancistrocephalus, 23.
Anasa repetita in New England, 82.
American Hemiptera, new, 73.
American species of Myrmica, key to,
118.
Anamopterus, 80.
Anamoptems fasciipennis, 80
Anophelinse, a new, 129.
Anopheles crucians, 1.
Anopheles ludlowii, 32.
Anopheles maculipennis, 1.
Anopheles punctipennis, development
of, 1.
Apteronina schmitti, 175.
Apteronina wasmanni, 175.
Asilidae, notes on, 131.
Asilus autumnalis, 131.
Asilus, prey of, 193.
Asilus, notes on, 131.
Aulacophora blackburni, 134.
Aulacophora, notes on, 133.
Bacterial diseases of caterpillars, 184. Baja California, Trichodectes from, 90.
Basilarchia, hybrids of, 115.
Berkshiria, 158.
Berkshiria albistylum, 158.
Bethylidse, 182.
Blattidse, 172.
Botanobia insularis, 26.
Botanobia marginalis, 24.
Botanobia proxima, 25.
Brazil, Acarians from, 160
Bruesiella, 182.