NEUROPTERA. 



4^7 



its name of Ant-lion. Towards the month of July, the lan^ce make 

 themselves a spherical cocoon, mixed with grains of sand, in which 

 they are transformed into pupD3 which are hatched towards the end of 

 August. The perfect ant-lions diftuse an odour of roses ; their flight, 

 which is weak, distinguishes them from the dragon-flies. We meet in 

 the south of France with a very beautiful species of Ant-lion, the 

 Myrmeleo libelluloides (Fig, 404) ; its larva can move forwards, and 

 does not dig itself a funnel. 



The genus Ascaiapluis (Fig. 407) is remarkable for the long 

 clubbed antennae of its members, and for their rapid flight. They 

 like the sun, and live especially in hot countries ; however, one meets 

 with the Ascaiaphus^ in the month of July, near Paris, on the dry 



Yvg. 405. — Larva of 

 Myrmeleo libelluloides. 



Fig. 406 —Larva 

 of Ascalaphus. 



Fig. 407.— Ascalaphus meridionalis. 



declivities of I^irdy and of Poquency. Their larvae (Fig. 406) have 

 mandibles adapted for suction. They watch for msects under heaps 

 of stoues, and sprins^ upon their prey. 



The first states of the Nemopiera* (Fig. 40S) are as yet little known. 

 They are insects with wings spotted with yellow and black, the lower 

 ones almost linear, and are met with in southern countnes, and but 

 very rarely in the south of France. 



The Hemerabii, to which are given by the French the name of 

 Demoiselles terrestres, or Land Dragon-Flies, are very small delicate 

 insects, of an apple-green colour, with golden red eyes. These msects 

 leave on the fingers, when seized, an ofl'ensive odour. Reaumur calls 

 them Lions des pucerons (Plant-Lice Lions), because their larv^, which 

 resembles the larvse of the ant-lions, and which live on plants, leed on 



* From »^/io, a thread, and irrepov, a wing. 



