SOME NEUROPTERA FROM THE SUMMIT OF BEN NEVIS 105 



ON SOME NEUROPTERA FROM THE SUMMIT 

 OF BEN NEVIS, COLLECTED BY MR. W. S. 

 BRUCE. 



By ROBERT M'LACHLAN, F.R.S., etc., Treas. Ent. Soc. 



As a continuation of the series of articles on the insects col- 

 lected at or near the summit of Ben Nevis, commenced by 

 the Rev. A. Thornley (ante, pp. 28-37), I now give a list of 

 the Neuroptcra so far as I am able to determine them. 

 There were about 120 examples in all, belonging to about 

 i 3 species. It is a significant fact that, with the exception 

 of the aphidivorous Hemerobius, all are insects that pass their 

 preparatory stages in water, and the greater part of them in 

 running water, and that it is necessary that the supply of 

 water be not intermittent. It is evident from Mr. Bruce's 

 introductory remarks (p. 29) that most of them must 

 have been carried up nearly 2000 feet. Viewing them as a 

 whole, they are remarkable for the numerous individuals of 

 small Perlidce and the extreme scarcity of Trichoptera, a 

 condition of affairs somewhat inexplicable, considering that 

 the preparatory requirements as to water are so similar in 

 both. 



The following is a list of the species observed : 



Div. TRICHOPTERA. 



LlMNOPHlLUS GRISEUS, L. One example, 5th June. 

 BRACHYCENTRUS SUBNUBILUS, C. One example, 3rd June. 



Div. PLANIPENNIA. 



SIALIS LUTARIA, L. About i 8 examples, on various dates 

 early in June. This generally common insect was 

 probably bred in the lake below 2000 feet, alluded 

 to in Mr. Bruce's introductory remarks. It is of 

 weak power of flight, and I should think quite in- 

 capable of being transported voluntarily to any con- 

 siderable height. 

 18 D 



