CHAPTER XXX 



THE MECOPTERA 



The Mecoptera is a small order of insects, both in numbers and in the 

 size of its members. The adults usually have wings which are mem- 

 branous, long, and generally narrow, with numerous veins. In a few 

 cases, however, they are reduced or even rudimentary. The head is 

 elongated on its underside, forming a sort of beak or rostrum, at the end 

 of which are the chewing mouth parts (Fig. 318). In the males of one 

 genus the terminal segments of the abdomen are drawn out and curl up- 

 ward, suggesting the position of the end of the body in the scorpion, and 

 from this the common name ''Scorpion Flies" has been applied to the 



order, though some of its members do not 

 have this character. The larvae considerably 

 resemble small caterpillars. 



The distinctive characters of the order 

 are: 



Insects which wheji adult nearly always 

 have four membranous wings, long and narrow 

 and with numerous veins: head prolo^iged 

 downward forming a beak, bearing chewing 

 mouth parts at its end. Larvce more or less 

 caterpillar-like. Metamorphosis complete. 



Mecoptera occur in nearly all parts of the 

 world but nowhere appear to be very abundant. 

 They seem to prefer to live in places having rank 

 growth, and in low, damp woods, and are apparently carnivorous both 

 as larvsB and adults. A few species are found on snow during the winter 

 months and are wingless or nearly so, but most of the group have wings 

 longer than their bodies and fly quite well. The eggs are usually laid 

 in masses in the ground and the larvae live in burrows in the ground, 

 coming out to feed. They have legs supporting the abdomen and these 

 are more numerous than in caterpillars. As far as known they pupate in 

 earthen cells in the ground. 



The adults certainly feed upon other insects: larvae in confinement 

 can be fed upon meat, but their natural food is probably any animal 

 material they can obtain. Under such circumstances, these insects 

 must be regarded as being, at best, of little economic importance. Fossil 

 forms belonging to the Mecoptera have been discovered in different parts 

 of the world. 



In a general way this order appears to have the Diptera, Trichop- 

 tera and Lepidoptera as its nearest relatives. 



300 



Fig. 318. — Adult Meeopteroii 

 (Panorpa nuptialis G e r s t . ) 

 natural size, showing beak pro- 

 jecting downward from the 

 head, on the end of which are 

 the mouth parts. (Original.) 



