342 ZOOLOGY 
Cyprus, and over 12,000 tons of locusts. Various species 
compose the locust swarms in different parts of the world. 
Acridium peregrinum does. much harm in India and 
Algeria. Swarms of Caloptenus spretus, another of the Acri- 
diidae, have been known to clear off every green thing over 300 
square miles in Colorado in less than six weeks. In Minne- 
sota 300 ege capsules, each containing thirty eggs of this 
species, were found on an average in every square foot. These 
figures give some idea of the astounding numbers of these 
locust swarms. : 
OrpeER 8. NEUROPTERA. 
CHARACTERISTICS.—Insects with membranous wings, both parrs 
alike, with the veins forming a more or less close network. 
The mouth parts are, as a rule, of the biting type. Meta- 
morphosis complete or inconrplete. 
The Neuroptera form a rather heterogeneous collection of 
Insects, which, however, resemble each other in the character 
of their wings. Many of the subdivisions of this order have 
but little in common, and it is difficult to group them into 
sub-orders ; it will therefore be advisable to consider a few 
of the more important forms under the designation of their 
families. 
Family 1. Termitipar.—The white ants flourish most 
abundantly within the tropics; certain genera, however, as 
Calotermes, and some species of Termes, occur in subtropical 
and temperate climates. 
The antennae are short; the abdomen of nine segments is 
oval and flattened, unlike the linear abdomen of most of the 
Neuroptera. The wings when at rest are unfolded, and le 
flat upon the back (Fig. 194). 
The TERMITIDAE, like the more highly organised ants and 
bees, live in communities, and the individuals have undergone 
considerable modifications, correlated with their particular 
functions in society. The sexual forms are winged; the 
apterous members of the community are either larvae, which, 
unlike the larvae of the Hymenoptera, take an active share in 
the work of the nest, or are neuters, 7.e. individuals with 
sexual glands, which, however, do not reach maturity, and 
