Journal 



OF THE 



NEW-YORK MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY. 



Vol. hi. APRIL, 1887. No. 2. 



THE LARVA OF THE CHRYSOPA. 



BY F. W. LEGGETT. 



{Read January 21st, 1887.) 



Of the Chrysopa (Lace-wing Fly), of which the two specimens 

 I exhibit are the larva, Packard says " the body is slender, with 

 delicate gauze-like wings, and it is generally green with golden 

 eyes. When disturbed it emits a foetid odor, its eggs supported 

 by long pedicels, are often laid in a group of aphides or on plants 

 infested by them. When hatched the voracious larva finds its 

 food ready at hand, and destroys immense numbers of plant-lice, 

 whence its name " Aphis Lion." It turns to a pupa late in 

 summer, and thus passes the winter within a very dense round 

 whitish cocoon, situated in the crevice of bark. In Europe, 

 gardeners search for these Aphis Lions, and place them on 

 fruit trees overrun with lice, which they soon depopulate." 

 There are two peculiarities about this insect which I do not find 

 noted in authorities consulted. First, retained powers of locomo- 

 tion while in their white cocoon-like covering, for the pair I have 

 here this evening fell on my hand when riding, and would have 

 been brushed off as a particle of floating wool had I not noticed 

 that they were moving rapidly away. Secondly, they have four 

 distinct mandibles, two on either side of the head, those on the 

 same side being flat on the inner and rounded on the outer 

 surface, fitting so closely and accurately together, that when not in 

 use and crossed, as they appear under one of the microscopes, the 

 dividing line is not perceptible. These mandibles are formid- 

 able weapons, being about one-quarter the length of the body. 

 I have read somewhere, but am unable to find it, that this white 



