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Annals Entomological Society of America [Vol. XIII, 



The total length of these setae, in Neuroctenus simplex (Uhl), 

 is approximately six millimeters. In this species they prac- 

 tically equal the total length of the insect. The extent that 

 these may be protruded is not known. The same arrangement 

 has been found in all species of the family which have been 

 examined, some six species. It is also found in the nymphs. 



The biology of these interesting insects is but imperfectly 

 known. Of course, they are found exclusively under com- 

 paratively loose bark and supposedly feed upon the juices of 



Fig. 1. 



Longisection of head of Neuroctenus simplex (Uhl). (Diagramatic). 



cl — Clypeus; hm — Hemimaxilla; lb — Labium; Ir — Labrum; 



md — Mandible; mx — Maxilla. 



decaying wood and bark. Their methods of feeding are unknown, 

 in fact, their very food supply is probably only inferred. We 

 are therefore unable to state what purpose, if there be a special 

 purpose, this modification serves. 



It may be well to mention here the fact, as pointed out by 

 Reuter,* that the labium consists of four segments instead of 

 three, as given in most of the American texts and tables. 



*Reuter, O. M., Neue Beitrage zut Phylogenie und Systematik der Miriden. 

 Acta Soc. Sc. Fenn. T. 36, No. 3, 1910. 



