HOW TO KNOW THE INSEQS 



Some of the few species of White Files show colors on the 

 body and black spots on the wings. They are always small and 

 may multiply very rapidly. 

 8b Wings when present transparent (sometimes colored) legs long 



and slender. (The Plant Lice or Aphids) Fig. 173. 



Representina two families; 1, APHIDIDAE and 8, PHYLLOXERI DAE 



Fig. 173. Aphis gossypll Grover 

 The Melon Aphis (a and ab, 

 Winged forms; c, wingless fe- 

 male; b and d, nymphs; aa, an- 

 tenra. ) 



Greenish to jet black. Feeds on 

 many plants but particularly des- 

 tructive to cucumbers and melons 

 where It feeds on the underside of 

 leaves causing them to curl and 

 die. Length 2-3 mm. (From U.S.D.A.) 



Aphids are very numerous. Almost 

 every species of plant Is attacked 

 by them. Many species pass 

 through the winter as eggs from which only females hatch. These 

 In turn give birth to living young. Many generations follow thus 

 throughout the summer. All are females. Many have no wings but 

 some generations are in part or wholly winged. These hunt new 

 feeding grounds and often regularly migrate to a wholly different 

 species of plant, and have a seasonal alternation between two 

 hosts. Ants may frequently be seen caring for aphids, from which 

 they get honey dew. 



Figure 175, 



KEY TO THE MORE COMMON FAMILIES OF THE ORDER NEUROPTERA 



1a Prothorax long and slender; (a) front legs greatly enlarged 

 (b) and fitted for grasping. (The Mantis-like Neuroptera) 

 Fig. 1T4. Family 3, MANTISPIDAE 



Fig. 174. Alantlspa Interrupta Say 



Greenish brown to brown. Mark- 

 ings on wings brown. Length of 

 body 17-20 mm. Expanse of wings 

 about 40 mm. 



The few representatives of this 

 family are such unusual creatures 

 that when the collector takes his 

 first specimen, he Is likely to 

 feel that he Is dreaming. The 

 prothorax Is elongated giving the 

 appearance of a long slim neck. 

 The front legs are large and fit- 

 ted for grasping prey. They are 

 so rare that they are not partic- 

 ularly well known. 



Figure 174. 



lb 

 2a 



Not as in la 



Base of hind wing broad, anal area folded fanlike when at 

 rest. (The Alder Flies, Dobson Flies, and Fish Flies) Fig. 175. 



Family 1, SIACIDAE 



87 



