48 BURMA, ITS PEOPLE A.\D PPiODUCTTOXS. 



Sub-order PLANIPEXXIA. 

 Winss nearly oquiil. Antonnte long, niany-jointcil. Jaws distinct. The larv83 

 arc voracious insect feeders, but the perfect insects are mostly herbivorous. 



Famihj Hemerobidae. 



OsMTLUS CONSPEBSUS, TValker. Burma. 



,, TUBEECULATUS, "Walker. Burma. 



Family Myrmeleonidse. 



Mybmeleon rxcLusus, Walker. Hurina. 



,, . lEXTUs, "Walker. Burma. 



„ TACITUS, "Walker. Burma. 



The habits of the ' ant lion, ' which is the larval form of Myrmeleon, are too well 

 known to need recapitulation here. Thoy are common in Burma in suitable 

 localities, and are well deser\-ing of more attention than is usually paid them. 



Family Panorpidse. 

 BiTTACus Indicus, "Walker. Burma. 



Sub-order TRICROPTERA. 



"Wings four, membranous, the anterior generally hairy. Mandibles rudimentary. 

 The larvic are six-footed and aquatic, and construct cases wherein tliey reside, of 

 various available materials, sticks, stones or shells. In these ' caddis ' cases the 

 pupa stage is assumed. Some Indian species of probably tliis order veiy closely 

 simulate spiral shells, and exactly resemble a small ' Phorus.'' 



Stenopsyche geiseipennis, McLachlan. 



Order DIPTEEA. 



"Wings two, membranous, never folded. A suctorial proboscis {hausteUuni). 

 Metamoiijhosis complete. Larvaj apodal. The mouth in this order is often armed 

 with lancet-like organs, with which the cuticle of animals is pierced for the purpose 

 of suction. Their bite in consequence is often severe, but none of them are provided 

 with a sting. The feet are two-clawed, and provided with adhesive cushions as well, 

 whereby they are able to walk on the smoothest surfaces. In the larval state 

 (maggots) they are of use, by consuming filth and decaying animal matter, but some 

 species are injurious to crops {Cecidomyia dedrnctor attacking wheat) and tonnenting 

 to man, especially certain minute species, by their bites and persistent attacks. 

 Their fecundity is very great, and agamic reproduction sometimes takes places in 

 this order, as the larvas of Miastor mdroloas are found to contain otlier larvfe 

 identical, save in size, with themselves, a7ul these larva) produce successive generations 

 of larva; which ultimately develope into perfect insects. 



Sub-order PUPIPARA. 



Parasitic Biptera. The larvro and pupa; developed within the body of the mother. 

 Antcmna; within a cavity in the head. This sub-order embraces three families : 

 Brandidic or Bee lice, Nyderiliidce, spider-like parasites on bats, and Ilippoboscidx, 

 including ' Bots,^ which are^the larva; of the " forest Fly." 



Sub-order BUACEYCERA. 



Oviparous. Antenna; short. 



The number of pieces composing the /laiiHcIlum varies from two to six, and this 

 character has been used in arranging the families into JTexacheta;, Tetrachdm, and 

 Bichcta. 



