84 NEW ZEALAND NEUROPTERA. 



taken at Auckland and Wellington, in the North Island, 

 and at Christchurch and Lake Pukaki, in the South 

 Island. It is probably generally distributed throughout 

 New Zealand. 



The expansion of the wings is about if inch. 



"Fuscous, clothed with blackish and golden hairs intermingled. 

 Antennae yellow, with narrow brown rings. Anterior wings rather broad, 

 the apices broadly elliptical ; brown, thinly sprinkled with brownish- 

 yellow dots. Posterior wings smoky-grey ; apical forks 2 and 5 present, 

 the first two costulse not connected by a nervule. Legs dirty testaceous. 

 Abdomen brown. In the male there is a narrow, elongate, testaceous lobe 

 from the apical margin of the last dorsal segment, curved downwards ; 

 intermediate appendages needle-shaped ; the superior broad and spoon- 

 shaped ; the inferior elongated. Length of the body, 5 mm. ; expanse of 

 the wings, 15 mm." (Hutton). 



This insect may be recognised by its dark brown fore- 

 wings, with conspicuous cream-coloured patches on the 

 dorsum. 



The larva is found in the streams throughout the year, 

 but is very scarce in the winter and early spring. It is 

 full grown about January. 



When mature it measures about ^ hich in length. The head is large, 

 oval, pale yellow speckled with black ; the three thoracic segments are dull 

 green ; the anterior legs are short, slender, and not specially prehensile in 

 structure; the other two pairs of legs are also slender, and of moderate 

 length. The abdomen is pinkish-brown, elongate, composed of nine uniform 

 and simple segments, gradually tapering towards the posterior extremity. 

 There is a number of very slender hairs or filaments on the sides of the 

 body. The anal claspers are elongate and very strong. They are composed 

 of three joints ; the first is stout and cylindrical, the second is much 

 shorter and slenderer, and the third consists of a very strong and horny hook. 



This larva inhabits very slow-running streams, and is 

 usually found where the "green slime" weed is abundant, 

 amongst which it forms extensive tubular galleries com- 

 posed entirely of the weed interwoven with its own silk. 

 These galleries often meander over the surfaces of rocks 

 and boulders. They are very difficult to detect, except 

 when distended by the larva as it wriggles to and fro 

 inside the tube. It is, however, generally difficult to find 

 the larva, as it always has to be disengaged from its 

 slimy habitation, and very often escapes during the 

 process. This caddis-worm is not full-grown until the 

 middle or end of January ; consequently it inhabits 

 the streams when they are almost at their lowest level, 

 and thus full of the " green slime," amongst which the 

 insect is specially adapted to live. 



This larva is carnivorous, feeding chiefly on smaller 

 insects, which it captures whilst lurking in its secret 



