the Biology of some British Neurojptera. 541 



with dark fuscous about the middle of its length. This appearance 

 is very characteristic, but nervosa is similarly marked. In nervosa 

 the wings usually apj^ear more variegated thftn is the case with 

 suhnebulosa. Hind-wings unmarked, uniformly paler. The male 

 genitalia are very distinct. 



As a rule, one of the most abundant of all the liemero- 

 biidae, even in the Metropolis, frequently being attracted 

 to lights. 



It occurs from early February until November. One 

 specimen was taken, newly emerged, in January 1921. 

 All kinds of plants are frequented, from small herbs to 

 trees. 



Eggs are about -7 mm. long, of quite general Hemerobiid 

 form, oval, with a small white micropylar knob and pitted 

 chorion. They are usually laid singly, on leaves near 

 projecting veins, or at the leaf margin. Sometimes on the 

 petiole and along the stipular bases of rose leaves, inside, a 

 row of six or seven eggs may be found. The colour of the 

 egg is at first white, later darkening to brownish. In from 

 six (70° F.) to ten or eleven days (60° F.) hatching takes 

 place. 



The newly-hatched larva is brownish-white in colour, 

 without any distinct markings. The head is blackish. 

 The second and third instars are very similar, except, of 

 course, in size. 



Description of Third-inslar Larva. (Plate XL, fig. G.) 



Length about 7 mm. as a rule, but sometimes as much as 9 mm. 

 Colour uniformly dusky, head blackish, body dove-grey to brown. 

 In the early part of each instar it is much darker than later. 



Head uniformly dark, a central wedge-shaped portion may be 

 delimitated by a lighter line running on each side of it. Also there 

 is sometimes a lighter line above each eye and another at the same 

 level as the eye. Eyes black. Antennae and palpi blackish. Jaws 

 lighter, but becoming darker at the tips. 



Body uniformly brownish-grey. There are sometimes indications 

 of a pair of darker latero-dorsal lines, but as a rule these are hardly 

 visible, except on the prothorax. There are two semi-lunar, shining 

 blackish sclerites on the prothorax, and smaller, more rounded ones 

 on meso- and metathorax. The abdomen has, as usual, traces of 

 similar sclerites. Legs are blackish, darker at the joints, and 

 extremities of the tarsi. Below, the body is uniformly brownish- 



