CHAPTER IX. 

 Order VI.— NEUROPTERA* 



{Ant-lions, Scorpion-flics, Caddicc-flics, ct a I.) 



The members of tins order have four zvings ; these are membra- 

 nous, and usually furnished with numerous veins. The mouth-parts 

 are formed for biting except in one family (Phryganeidae), where they 

 are rudimentary. The metamorphosis is complete. 



The term Neuroptera, or nerve-winged insects, is applied to the 

 members of this order on account of the numerous veins or nerves 

 with which the wings are strengthened. In this character there is, 

 however, a close resemblance between the Neuroptera and the 

 Pseudoneuroptera. Regarding the relations of these two orders the 

 reader is referred to the remarks on page 62. 



It is not certain that the Neuroptera as limited here is a natural 

 group. One family, the Caddice-flies (Phryganeidaj), differs so 

 greatly from the other families that it has long been separated as a 

 distinct order; and more recently it has been proposed for similar 

 reasons to treat another family, the Scorpion-flies {Panorpidaf), in a 

 like manner. This multiplication of the orders has not yet been 

 generally accepted. 



Owing to the great variations in structure exhibited by the dif- 

 ferent families, it is not easy to make generalizations regarding this 

 order. I will, therefore, reserve the more detailed discussions of 

 the structure of these insects for the special treatment of the indi- 

 vidual families. 



The Neuroptera includes four families. These can be separated 

 by the following table : 



TABLE OF FAMILIES OF NEUROPTERA.f 



A. With well-developed wings. 



B. Posterior wings with no anal space; not folded. 

 C. Mouth prolonged into a rostrum. 3. Panorpid^e. 



* Neuroptera: neuron (vevpov), nerve; pteron (7trepov), wing, 

 f After Baron Osten Sacken in Hagen's Synopsis. 



