308 STUDIES IN AUSTRALIAN NEUROPTERA, iv., 



1904 (nec J/, aimtralis Hagen, 1858). = ^1/. froygaffl Banks (l; 

 p.77, 1909). 



In spite of the brevity and futility of Walker's desci'iption, 

 which ignores ahnost ever}' point of real importance, there can 

 be no doubt that he described this conunon species, for three 

 reasons. Firstly, it is the only Hemerobiid known from Tas. 

 mania (where it is quite common), except species of the genus 

 Drepauacra. 8econdly, the measurements given by Walker 

 ("length '2-^^ lines, wings 5-6 lines") agree with the size of Tas- 

 manian specimens of this insect. Thirdly, Walker's remark 

 "veins rather few, with brown points," indicates the speckled 

 character of the venation, one of the most noticeable character- 

 istics of the species. Hence the more familiar names given by 

 Banks and Froggatt must sink as synonyms of Walker's name 

 tasmani((i. 



This species is abundant, not only in Tasmania, but also in 

 all, except the driest, parts of Australia. It varies greatly in 

 size, as well as in the amount of speckling on the veins of the 

 forewing, some specimens being very pale, others much darker 

 and more variegated. A black mark covering mf and Cu, just 

 below it, and black on the cross-veins of the outer gradate series 

 above the lowest radial sector, appear to be constantly present 

 in the forewing. The expanse of wing varies from 1 1 to 22mm., 

 females being larger than males, and southern specimens gener- 

 ally larger than northern ones. More specimens of this insect 

 exist in collections than of all the other Australian Hfmerobiidif 

 put together. It is one of our most beneficent insects, the larvae 

 destroying annually immense quantities of aphides in orchards 

 and gardens. 



M. vinacens Gerst., is a rarer species, confined to the N. 

 Queensland coast-line. 



(p. 289); his description agrees with this species fairly well for size and 

 colouration, but his statement "radii sector primus unifureatus, do. 

 secundus unifureatus, do. tertius trifurcatus'' does not agree with the 

 venation, unless his type was an anomalous specimen. 



