CHAPTER XIV 

 ORDER EMBIIDINA* 



The Embiids 



This order is composed of small and feeble insects in which the body is 

 elongate and depressed. The winged members of the order have two pairs 

 of wings, which are quite similar in form and structure; they are mem- 

 branous, extremely delicate, and folded on the back when at rest; the vena- 

 tion of the wings is considerably reduced. The mouth-parts are formed for 

 chewing. Cerci are present and consist each of two segments. The meta- 

 morphosis may be considered as incomplete. 



This is a small order of insects, only 61 species being listed in a late 

 monograph of the order. Only the males are winged and some species of 

 these are wingless. The wings are usually rather long but have com- 



Fig. 137. — Embia sabulosa, male. (After Enderlein.) 



paratively few veins. Brownish bands run lengthwise of the wings along 

 the courses of the longitudinal veins. The antennas are filiform and com- 

 posed of 16 to 32 segments, while ocelli are wanting (Figs. 137 and 138). 



The metamorphosis of the winged males is more than incomplete and 

 less than complete. It is peculiar because of this intermediate character. 



The embiids are small insects and not often seen. They live in silken 

 burrows or galleries made beneath stones or other objects on the ground 

 and sometimes in old decayed logs. Often there is extensive and con- 

 * Embiidina: Embiidae, Embia, embios (e/j/3ios), lively. 

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