the Biology of some British Neuroptera. 561 



these are spun by the larva, since the silk glands would not 

 be so early functional. 



There is, to my mind, not the slightest doubt that this 

 species is the larva figured in the " Cambridge Natural 

 History," p. 467 (11), as that of Hemerobius. The long 

 warts are well represented. 



A small cocoon, 2-5-3 mm. long, is spun for pupation 

 under the larval coat. How this is done is difficult to- 

 imagine. The larvae are always very sluggish, and one 

 day, on touching the apparent larva, it is found to be 

 immovable, the coat only forming the covering of the 

 cocoon. Many examples have been seen in which the 

 cocoon has been spun on the flat underside of a leaf, and 

 not, as is more often the custom with Ghrysopa, in a curled- 

 up leaf, or among other supports. 



Larvae of G. alba are of sluggish habits, but can run 

 fairly rapidly. In feeding they are timid, and if the 

 intended prey moves too much, the larva retracts its head 

 for protection under the carapace-like coat. Food consists 

 naturally of the woolly Phyllaphis fagi L., on beech, and 

 also, I should expect, Cryjjtococcus fagi Baer. Larvae are 

 also found commonly on oak; of their food I have no 

 definite observations, but many aphids, etc., were present. 

 In captivity the larvae show a decided preference for less 

 active aphids, such as the v/oolly species and Phylloxera. 

 The woolly wax does not in any way inconvenience C alba, 

 owing to its body being entirely protected. 



Chrysopa flavifrons Brauer. 



Wing expanse 24-31 mm. Head yellow, rest of body green, but 

 slightly 3'ellow on the dorsum of thorax. Palpi annulated with 

 black, the terminal joint being wholly blackish. This species can 

 at once be distinguished in life by the head being yellow except for 

 the eyes, mouth-parts, and an orange line one each side. 



The species appears to prefer pine woods, but has also 

 been taken from deciduous trees. The time of appearance 



