CHAPTER VI. 



^NEUROPTERA AND ALLIES. 



The insects with complete metamorphosis inckide first 

 the NeuroiAera which are represented by the lace-winged 

 fly, ant lion, etc. These are separated from the preceding 

 groups by the fact of the complete metamorphosis, and this 

 order includes groups which are quite distinct from each 

 other and have biting mouth parts and rather densely net- 

 veined wings. 



Order NEUROPTERA. 



Of the first family Sialidce, the Corydalis cornuta is the 

 most prominent. The larvse live in running streams and 

 under stones. Their structure and life-cycle furnish a 

 good example for the group. The larva is strictly aquatic 

 with gills which enable it to live in the water, but it can sur- 

 vive out of water if the gills are moistened. The adults 

 appear in the summer, mainly in the early part of summer, 

 and the eggs are laid during the summer months, generally 

 about midsummer, and deposited in large masses on the 

 leaves of trees overhanging water. The larvae on hatching 

 drop at once into the water and begin an aquatic existence. 

 They feed on the larvse of other aquatic insects, and their 

 life-cycle occupies three years. They are in the water for 

 about two years and eleven months; the pupa stage, passed 

 in muddy banks, as well as the adult stage being short. 

 The larva changes to a pupa which is quite different from 

 the larval stage and different also from the adult. They 

 are counted excellent as fish bait, and this is perha])s their 

 most direct economic value. 



The MantispidcE have very prominent front feet, wings lie 

 flat over the back and resemble a small form of the mantis. 



The family ChrysopidcB, which includes the lace-winged 



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