INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OF CALIFORNIA. 



25 



NEUROPTERA (Order) 



LACE OR NERVE-WINGED INSECTS 

 LACEWINGS, ANT-LIONS, CADDIS-FLIES, SCORPION-FLIES, ETC. 



The members of this order have quite large membranous wings with 

 lace-like veins. They have complete metamorphoses, the larva? being 

 entirely different from the pupae and adults. The mouth-parts are for 

 biting. Many of them are beneficial, being predaceous on injurious 

 insects. 



The larva? of many of the families are aquatic in habits, but the 

 adults of all species live in the air and upon the land. 



The most important and beneficial family is the Chrysopidce, but the 

 Hemerobiidce, BaphidiidcB and Myrmeleonidce are efficient destroyers of 

 many injurious insects. 



THE GREEN LACEWING 



Chrysopa calif omica Coquillett (Family Chrysopidse) 

 (Fig. 22) 



Description.— The adult form is well known to all by its delicate 

 green lace wings and long hair-like antenna?. The body is also green 

 with a longitudinal yellow stripe extending the full length of the 

 dorsum, which distinguishes this species from all others. The eggs are 

 oblong, pearly-white and attached to fine stalks, which suspend them 

 nearly one half inch in the air. The young vary from £ to nearly f 

 inch in length, are yellow with reddish markings and characterized by 

 long sickle-like jaws. The cocoons are globular and white, being fas- 

 tened by supporting threads. 



Fig. 22. — The green lacewins, Chrysopa californica Ooq. A, larva; B, eggs; C, pupa 

 case with lid open after adult lias emerged ; D, pupa case before emergence of adult ; 

 E, adult with wings spread; F, adult in natural position. (Author's illustration, 

 P. C. Jr. Ent.) 



Life History.— The eggs may be found in the orchards from late fall 

 until spring and hatch with the first warm weather. The larva? mature 

 in about two weeks, and then spin a small circular cocoon in which to 



