IQO 



Marvels of Insect Life, 



Photo by] [C. B. Wiltuniix, f.Ii.S. 



Eggs of the Powder-wings. 



The female before laying her eggs dusts an area of the leaf with 

 ■meal from her wings and body, and in some cases sprinkles her 

 eggs also with the same material. This treatment appears to 

 be for protective purposes, and it is probable that the powder 

 may have a repellant odour. Magnified six times. 



minute and not appreciable to some eyes. 

 If these mealy patches are first found, 

 the pocket-lens may be br()ii,f{ht into requi- 

 sition, and the eggs will be found scattered 

 over the patch, and standing on end like 

 ninepins. 



There is one species ^ that is found 

 on the under side of cabbage leaves, 

 and, according to the gardening books, 

 in such numbers as to be regarded 

 as a pest. The cabbage powder-wing 

 may be distinguished from that 

 found on bramble bv an additional 

 dark patch, extending nearlv across the 

 middle of the wing from back to front. A 

 \'ery similar species is that found on the 

 celandine."' 



One with the wings entirely unspotted "^ 

 may be found in numbers upon the 

 hawthorn and other plants. In the larval 

 stage this is a more striking form owing to 

 the white mealy patches upon its upper 

 side and the fringe of waxy hairs around 

 the mari/ins of the bodv. 



Scorpion-Flies. 



A very curious group of Insects, of which at least one species must have attracted 



? 



the attention of every observant countrv 

 rambler, has been fitly named scorpion- 

 flies from the fact that the males have the 

 last three segments ot the hind-body so 

 curiouslv formed and so mobile that they 

 usually carry them curled over the back, 

 when they present a striking resemblance 

 to the tail of a scorpion. But the tail end 

 of the male is not the only remarkable 

 feature of the mature Insect : at the other 

 end the head is drawn (Uit into a long beak, 



J" ,/ ^ at whose tip arc the small, toothed 



I , mandibles. Tlie head bears a pair of long, 



l.r, ,. ^ ..,...., J slender antenna and two large eyes. 



The four transparent, netted wings are 



Tlie last stage but one of the powder-wings of the bramble. The IcJllg aiul narroW, and mottlcd wltll brOWn. 



grub changes to the chrysalis in the grub-skin, which splits rp, , , , . ,p, 



down the back to accommodate the larger bulk of the chrysalis. 1 llC ICgS arC iOIlg aiUl S])in\'. i ficy are 



In this case the remains of the larval skin were cleared away • • " " , 



iiefore the photograph was taken. Twelve times the actual size. VCry aCtlVC, CamiN'OroUS (TcatUreS, and thC 



^ Alcurodes brassicae. - A. jirok'tclla. ^ A. plii!l\Tfa. 



