14 NEW ZEALAND NEUROPTERA. 



Genus UROPETALA, Selys (1857). 



"The lower lip notched in the centre; occiput without any horns; 

 eyes elongated ; bristle of the antennas articulated. Sides of the thorax 

 without any salient points. Pterostigma long ; all the triangles of the 

 wings divided, the basiliar space not divided. Discoidal triangle of the fore- 

 wings with the superior side as long as or longer than the interior side, and 

 divided into three cellules. Superior anal appendages of the male flattened, 

 narrowed at the base ; inferior appendages rather shorter, not sloped. 



•'Distribution. — New Zealand" (Hutton). 



UROPETALA CAROVEI. 



Petalura carovei, White, Zool. "Erebus" and 

 " Terror," Insects, pi. 6, fig. 1. Uropetala carovei, Selys, 

 Mon. Gomphines, p. 370, pi. 19, fig. 2 (1857). 



(Plate II. , fig. 3 ; fig. 2 nymph.) 



This very handsome insect is the largest dragon-fly 

 we have in New Zealand. It is generally distributed 

 throughout the country, but is commonest in the North 

 Island. 



The expansion of the wings of the male is 4£ inches, of the female 

 -if inches. The general colour is shining blackish-brown, with bright yellow 

 markings. The markings, however, fade into dingy-white in old specimens 

 which have been long on the wing, and in dried specimens the colours also 

 lose much of their brilliancy. 



The male insect has two small leaf-like appendages at the extremity of 

 the abdomen, which are spread out during night, so that the sexes of this 

 dragon-fly are always easily distinguishable. 



The nymph of this insect inhabits mud in stagnant 

 streams, but is very seldom observed. 



Its length when full grown is about 2| inches. The head is furnished 

 with a very large and powerful " mask," armed with two very sharp, strong 

 forceps for seizing its prey. The antennas have six unequal joints; the 

 eyes are rather large, oval, and shining black. The prothorax is very 

 small ; the rest of the thorax is of moderate size. The wing-pads are very 

 conspicuous and dark brownish-black in colour. The legs are long, stout, 

 and strongly fringed with yellowish hair. The general colour of the larva is 

 dull brown, with a few obscure greyish-white patches on the head, thorax, 

 and legs. 



This larva is no doubt carnivorous, but no details are 

 at present known respecting its habits. When mature 

 it leaves the mud and clings to the stem of a tree, or 

 some other firm object, after which the winged insect 

 escapes as usual through a rent in the back. The empty 

 nymph-case of this insect may sometimes be found 

 attached to trees growing in swampy places near the 

 banks of streams, but they are not of frequent 

 occurrence. 



