Vol. XXvii] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 2O/) 



higher forms. I have captured in North Carolina some insects 

 related to the Meropid subdivision, which suggest affinities 

 with the Hymenoptera, but this can be determined only after 

 a more thorough comparative anatomical study of the groups 

 in question. The Mecoptera are related to the Chrysopid- 

 Mantispid group, and also to the Nemopterid group. They 

 also approach the Trichopteron line of development, and have 

 retained certain features suggestive of the ancestral Diptera, 

 so that the more detailed study of these forms should be of 

 considerable interest from the phylogenetic standpoint. 



The Phryganoides (Trichoptera} or Phryganid group is re- 

 lated to the Panorpid group, and also to the Neuroptera. The 

 Trichopteron line of descent likewise parallels that of the Lepi- 

 doptera very closely, and the group furnishes us with many 

 clues as to what the ancestral condition of the Lepidopteron 

 line of descent must have been like. The Diptera also resemble 

 the Trichoptera in some respects, and the Homoptera resemble 

 them rather remotely. The closest affinities of the Trichoptera, 

 however, are with the Panorpid and Mantispid-Chrysopid 

 group, and with the Lepidopteron group in particular. 



The Psocoides (Cllnoptcra) or Psocid group is an extremely 

 interesting one, and the question of its relationship is still a 

 matter of dispute. As far as the winged forms are concerned, 

 they are undoubtedly near the Neuroptera, and exhibit certain 

 characters strongly suggestive of affinities with the Homoptera 

 (which are themselves related to the Neuroptera). Some of 

 the features retained by the Psocid group are strongly sugges- 

 tive of affinities with the Blattid-Perlid group also, and they 

 may possibly be considered as occupying a position somewhat 

 intermediate between the Blattid-Perlid group and the Neu- 

 roptera, although the closest affinities of the winged forms are 

 with the Neuroptera, and they are undoubtedly very near the 

 group which gave rise to the lines of descent of the Homop- 

 tera. The Hymenoptera resemble them in certain respects, 

 but I have not been able to determine the meaning of this as 

 yet, unless the Hymenoptera are also to be regarded as occupy- 

 ing a position intermediate between the Blattid-Perlid group 

 and the Neuropteron-Panorpid group. 



