BULLETIN 39, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. [24] 



FIG. 37. An Ant-lion (Myrmeleon). (From Packard.) 



of our largest and most striking insects, the larva? of which is kuowii as 

 Dobsousby anglers, and is aquatic and carnivorous in habit. The Heme- 



robiida? is a large family, com- 

 prising, as a rule, delicate 

 insects with rather ample 

 gauzy wings. The larva? are 

 predaceous. The common 

 Lace-wing flies are among our 

 a b c d most beneficial insects, de- 



FIG. 36.-Lace-wii.gfly. a, eggs, 6, larva c. cocoons, d, fly stroyillg p l an t-lice and Other 

 with left wings removed. - 1 



soft-bodied species. To the 



same family belongs the Ant-lion (Myrmeleon), the larvae of which have 

 the curious habit of constructing 

 a funnel-shaped burrow in the 

 sand, in the bottom of which they 

 conceal themselves and wait for 

 any soft-bodied insects which 

 may fall into the trap. This fam- 

 ily also includes the 

 peculiar Mantis-like in- 

 sects belonging to the 



genus Mantispa. As in the true Mantis, the prothorax of 

 these insects is greatly elongated and the first pair of legs 

 are fitted for grasping. The larva? 

 are parasitic in the egg- sacs of cer- 

 tain large spiders (genera Licosa, 

 Dolomedes, etc.), and undergo a remarkable 

 change in form after the first molt. In the 

 first stage the larva? are very agile, with slen- 

 der bodies and long legs. After molting the 

 body becomes much swollen and the legs are 

 much shortened, as are also the antennae, the 

 head becoming small and the general appearance reminding one of tlic 

 larva of a bee. 



The second section of the Neuroptera, characterized by complete 

 metamorphosis, comprises the following suborders: 



Suborder PLATYPTERA (nAaruq, flat; TTTE:^, wing). Under this head 

 are grouped the White-ants (TermitiJUe), the Bird-lice (MlI<>i>h<(<jaJ, 

 and the Book-mites (Psocidw). The suborder receives its name from 

 the fact that in the case of the winged forms the wings, when at rest, 

 are usually laid flat upon the back of the insect. The Mallophaga, or 

 Bird-lice, are degraded wingless insects, and are parasitic chiefly on 

 birds, but also on mammals. In shape of body and character of the 

 mouth-parts they are most nearly allied to the Psoddiv. The latter 

 family includes both winged and wingless forms, the Book-mites be- 

 longing to the latter category. The winged forms may be illustrated 



FIG 

 Mynneleon 



larva. 



FIG. 39. Mantispa with side 

 view beneath. (From Packard.) 



