HOW TO KNOW THE IMMATURE INSECTS 



6a. Abdomen more than two times longer than thorax; larvae with 

 hypermetamorphosis. Fig. 392 Family MANTISPIDAE 



The family consists of about 170 

 known species. The larvae are of 

 two different forms: the first in- 

 star is thysanuriform with a squar- 

 ish head; the second and later in- 

 stars become robust and eruci- 

 form with a small head and weak 

 legs. The fuUgrown larvae spin 

 cocoons and pupate within the last 

 larval skin. The habits of larvae 

 are parasitic on eggs of spiders 

 and also in the nests of Pilybia 

 wasps. 



Fig. 392. Montispo styrioco Podo: 

 o, newly hatched; b, 1st instar 

 fully fed; c, last instar 



6b. Not OS 6a. 7 



7a. Pro- and mesothorox modified into a long and slender neck. 



Fig. 393 Family NEMOPTERIDAE 



The larvae are predacious and feed upon 

 psocids and other small insects. They cover 

 themselves with dust particles and are found 

 in caves and buildings in semiarid regions and 

 desert. Pupation occurs in a cocoon of silk and 

 debris. They belong to the eastern hemisphere. 



Fig. 393. Ptcrocroce 

 storeyi, Withycombe. 



7b. Pro- and mesothorox normal 8 



143 



