PSOCID^E. 



f>,s<t 



ing widely from the usual Neuropterous type of venation, and 

 closely resembling that of the plant-lice. Mr. R. McLachlan 

 .states (Entomologist's Monthly Magazine) that u the eggs are 

 laid in patches on leaves, bark, or other objects, and the fe- 

 males cover them with a 

 web. The larva? and pupa? 

 greatly resemble the per- 

 fect insects." The larva? 

 closely resemble the pupa? ; 

 the ocelli in these states 

 are absent, and the tarsi arc- 

 two or three-jointed, accord- 

 ing to the species. He has 

 observed individuals with 

 but partially developed 

 wings. " In all their states 

 they probably feed on dry 

 vegetable substances and 

 lichens. They are univer- 

 sally common, living more Fi s- r> ~ 3 - 

 or less in societies on tree trunks and palings, and amongst 

 the herbage of trees, especially firs, larches and yews, and 

 some species in houses and warehouses. I believe that both 

 sexes possess the power of spinning a web, not distinguishable 

 from that of spiders. They are exceedingly active and diffi- 

 cult of capture." (McLachlan.) 



In the nearly wingless genus Clotliilla, from California, there 

 are no ocelli, the wings are incomplete, and the tarsi three- 

 jointed. Cloth ilia picea Motschulsky is but .04 of an inch long 

 and pitchy black in color, with a brassy reflection. In the 

 nearly wingless Atropos the ocelli are wanting and the tarsi 

 are three-jointed, while the rudimentary wings form minute 

 square pads. The A. divinatorius of Otho Fabricius is a little 

 pale, louse-like insect, seen running over books and in insect 

 cases, where it does considerable injury to specimens. The 

 Atropos is in England called the "death-watch," and is sup- 

 posed to make the ticking sound heard in spring. Mr. E. 

 Newman (Entomologist, iii, p. 66) has bred " Psocus pulicarius, 

 or some allied species, from Clothilla pulsatoria" (Fig. 573.) 



