NEUROPTERA 



293 



in coloration ; the two can be distinguished by the form of the labia 

 (Fig. 331). 



In the larva of this species the setse on the dorsum of the tho- 

 rax are situated on tubercles; they are sessile in the larva of S/5;>'ra. 

 The habits of the larva are similar to those of Sisyra. 



Fig. 331. — Labia of Spongilla-flies : a, Climacia dictyona; b, Sisyra umbrata. (After 

 Needham.) 



Before spinning its cocoon this larva spins a hemispheric cover 

 beneath which the cocoon is made, as does the larva of Sisyra. But 

 in the case of Climacia this cocoon-cover is lace-like; it is a beautiful 

 object (Fig. 330). 



Excepting the sialids, the larvae of Sisyra and Climacia are the 

 only known aquatic neuropterous larvs foimd in this coimtry. 



Family SYMPHEROBIID^ 

 The Sympherohiids 



This family includes certain insects which were formerly classed 

 with the HemerobiidcC but which exhibit a type of specialization of 

 the wings that is quite different from that which is distinctively 

 characteristic of that family. 



The distinctive characteristic of the Sympherobiidae is that vein 

 R2+3 of the fore wings has become separated from the remainder 

 of the radial sector and is attached separately to vein Ri. This 

 results in the radius of the fore wing having two sectors, each of which 

 is forked (Fig. 332). 



In this family the number of the branches of the radial sector has 

 not been increased, this vein being four-branched in both fore and 

 hind wings ; but the tips of all of the branches are forked. The costal 

 area of the fore wing is broad towards the base of the wing ; and the 

 humeral vein is recurved and branched. 



The North American species of this family represent two genera. 



