the Biology of some British Neuroptera. 565 



each at least one pair of blackish sclerites, those of the inesothorax 

 being the larger. 



The abdomen is white, with smaller warts bearing long setae. 

 A median dark longitudinal line may be present, and along each 

 side of the body, rather ventrally, there is often a black line, varjdng 

 in intensity. In dark examples a small black spot or two may be 

 found at the base of each wart. Legs blackish. 



Shortly after spinning the cocoon in spring, the pupa is 

 disclosed, followed by the appearance of the imago in 

 about two weeks. 



The first example above is that of a larva which wintered 

 in the third instar, the second hibernated in its second 

 instar. Both are selected from the same brood of eggs. 

 The larvae as a rule feed ravenously until, apparently 

 awaiting a second moult, they become sluggish and will 

 not feed. This is often in quite hot weather, as seen 

 above. An aphid may be accepted occasionally, and the 

 larva must be provided with food always. At last the 

 second moult occurs, or the larva may hibernate while still 

 in the second instar. In the third instar the same falhng 

 off of appetite is observed when apparently full fed, and 

 so the winter is passed. With tlie warmth of spring or 

 even in warm spells during the winter, food is taken, and 

 the second moult, if necessary, occurs some time in April 

 or May. Now feeding is recommenced in earnest, and the 

 larva feeds well until spinning. The pupal stage is short. 



In young pine plantations, infested with Chermes, 

 larvae may be found during winter and spring, probing the 

 woolly masses of aphids and sucking out nutriment. I 

 believe that, owing to its frequent abundance, C. prasina 

 is a real check on this difficult pest to forestry. In a 

 similar way the larva has been found feeding on Crypto- 

 coccus fagi Baer. on beech, also on aphids on oak. In the 

 single instance of a larva being found in Epping Forest 

 on a heath, the only evident food was a small Jassid, 



