ORDER NEUROPTERA. 



39 



Isles. They are among the most elegant and beautiful of the 

 Neil ropt era. 



The Golden-eyed Fly {Chrysopa vulgaris) is a very abundant 

 and well-known example, but notwithstanding its great beauty it 

 is capable of emitting a very disagreeable odour when handled. 

 This is a delicate green insect with a body half an inch long, and 



Fig. 46. — Chrysopa Septempunctata. 



which may be seen almost everywhere on warm summer evenings, 

 flying slowly about from tree to tree. The eggs, which are little 

 round or oval bodies like small pearls, are deposited by the 

 female in groups upon the leaves of plants and trees. The larva 

 when fulfed is about half an inch in length. The food consists 

 of plant lice and aphides, and it is thus a very beneficial creature, 

 and should be encouraged by every gardener. The pupa of this 

 insect is enclosed in a cocoon. Between thirty and forty species 

 of lacewing flies are known to occur in our own country. 



Family 3, Mantispid(B. — This family contains only one genus — 



Fig. 47- — Mantis Pagana. 



viz., Ma?iiispa, or the Mantis Files A single species, Mantispa 

 pagana., is common in southern Europe, but does not occur in the 

 British Isles. 



Family 4, Sialidce. — In the fourth family of the Planipennia the 

 larvce are aquatic in their habits with very few exceptions. The 

 pupa is not enclosed in a cocoon as it is in the Hemerobiidce. 

 The single common British species {Sialis lutarid) is a blackish- 

 brown insect, rather more than half an inch in length. It is well 

 known to anglers, and may be found abundantly in the spring 



