252 INSECT ORDERS 



season. It is fortunate that they have many enemies that keep them in 

 check or they could soon devour every plant on the earth. 



4. Scale insects. These are serious plant parasites. The nymphs 

 form a hard protective scale over their bodies and suck the plant sap. 

 Some produce a soft cottony covering and are called mealy bugs. The 

 adults are winged forms. 



*&* 



Order — Neuroptera 



This order name means nerve wing and is given because of the many 

 branched delicate veins or "nerves" in the wings. There are four of 

 these membranous wings of equal size, complete metamorphosis, and 



Courtesy General Biological Supply House 



Fig. 17.9. Ant lion or doodlebug. This ferocious looking animal is the larva of the 



delicate lacewing fly. It builds a funnel of dirt in soft ground and holds its jaws open 



at the bottom waiting for ants or other insects that may slip over the side. 



biting mouth parts. The larvae are carnivorous and are armed with 

 powerful jaws with which they destroy many harmful insects. 



1. Aphis lion. The adult of this insect has beautiful, pastel-green 

 wings that have earned for it the name lacewing fly. The larvae, on the 

 other hand, are vicious carnivores that kill and eat plant lice, aphids, by 

 the hundreds. They have such a ravenous appetite that the female lays 



