THE APHIS LION. 



47 



Fig. 4G. 



• Aphis Lion eating Insect, 

 enlarged. 



Like other larvse, the aphis lions cast their skins occasionally 

 as they increase in size. They be- 

 come fully developed in about two 

 weeks. They are then nearly an 

 inch long, and of the form shown in 

 Figs. 46 and 47. The different spe- 

 cies vary considerably in color, but 

 most of the aphis lions are of mottled 

 shades of blue, brown, black, and white. 



Should you examine under a lens the long, 

 sucking jaws of the aphis lion, you would find 

 that each jaw consists of two parts, each with a 

 groove running along the inside, so that when 

 the parts are fitted together the tube is formed. 

 The full-grown aphis lion prepares for the 

 change to the pupa state by rolling itself to- 

 gether compactly. Then it spins from tlie pos- 

 terior end of its body a spherical silken cocoon, 

 so small that one must wonder how so large a 

 larva stays inside of it. The completed cocoon 



is shown in Fig. 48. It is about the size of a 

 small, smooth pea, and is of a i)early white 

 color, generally mottled in plaee.^ with black. 

 Within this tiny silken ball the larva be- 

 comes a pupa. A short time afterwards tlie 

 pupa gnaws a circular cap out of the cocoon 

 and escai)es into the outer world. Then it 



Fig. 48. — Coeoon, '■ 



enlarged. chaugcs iuto an adult lace-winged lly. 



Via. 47. — Hack 

 View (it Aphis 

 Liou,enh»rge<l. 



