165 



Libellula pulchella Driiry. Nine-spot Dragon-fly. (PI. XXXVIII, 

 fig- 2.) 



Individuals were abundant in both colonies of swamp milkweeds 

 (Sta. I, d and g) and several were seen entrapped in webs of Argiope 

 aurantia (Sta. I, d) Aug. 9. This is one of the most abundant of 

 our large dragon-flies. It frequents small bodies of water and slug- 

 gish pond-like streams. Williamson has taken it also in the webs of 

 Argiope. This large powerful insect is able to do considerable dam- 

 age to a spider-web and then make its escape. Among the milk- 

 weeds (Sta. 1, d) an individual was seen by T. L. Hankinson to 

 escape from a web. This dragon-fly, like most of its kind, captures 

 small insects on wing; one kind, however, is reported to have dug a 

 cricket out of the ground (Psyche, Vol. V, p. 364. 1890). 



N^UROPTERA 

 MyRMELEONID/E 



BracJiyncnuinis ahdoniinalis Say. Adult Ant-lion. 



A single specimen was taken along the railway track north of 

 Charleston (near Sta. 1, g) Aug. 12 (No. 36). This is a species 

 which frequents dry habitats. The larva is unknown, but is prob- 

 ably predaceous — as other ant-lion larvse are and as the adult is sup- 

 posed to be. 



Two adult females were taken July 19 and 20, 1907, at Cincin- 

 nati, Ohio, in my room, to which they were attracted by the electric 

 light. Another female was taken Aug. 8, 190 1, at Gate City, \"ir- 

 ginia (near Big Moccasin Gap). Determined by R. P. Currie. 



CHRYSOPIDiE 



Chrysopa oculata Say. Lacewing. (PI. XXXVIII, fig. i.) 



A single specimen of this insect was taken among prairie grasses 

 (Sta. I, ^) Aug. 12 (No. 44). The larvae feed upon plant-lice, and 

 the adults are also considered predaceous. Howard (Proc. P^nt. 

 Soc, Wash., Vol. 2, pp. 123-125. 1893) has given a list of their 

 numerous hymenopterous parasites. Mr. T. L. Hankinson captured 

 one also (Sta. I) July 3, 191 1 (No. 7665). Fitch ('56) published 

 many observations on the members of this genus; and Marlatt ('94a) 

 has written on the life history of this species. 



