14.5 ) 



IX. A Monograph of the British Neuroptera-Planipennia. 

 By E. MacLachlan, F.L.S., Sec. Ent. Soc. 



[Eead 3rd February, 1868.] 



As a further contribution to a knowledge of British 

 Neuropterous insects^ I have the honour to present to the 

 Society a Monograph of the native species of Plani- 

 pennia, or true Neuroptera, comprising the Sialidce, 

 Panorpina, Rhaphidiodea, and Megaloptera of Burnieister. 

 I enumerate forty- nine species as belonging to our Islands, 

 thus : — 



49 



The number described for Europe is at present about 

 150, and in the more obscure groups, es|)ecially in the 

 Hemerohiidce, Britain is well represented ; but, on the 

 other hand, there is a total absence of many conspicuous 

 species, genera, and even families. Thus we have no 

 native member of the handsome Myrmeleonidce, Ascala- 

 phidce, or Nerriopteridce ; we want the curious Dilaridce 

 and Mantispidce, and the singular Tipuliform genus 

 Bittacus. It has been suggested that some of these do 

 occur here_, and are overlooked, but it is scarcely pos- 

 sible that such conspicuous objects should have hitherto 

 escaped observation. Some species, generally abundant 

 on the Continent, are either rare here, or very local, 

 such as Brepanepteryx phalcenoides , Micromus aphidivorus, 

 Megalomus hirtus, Hemerohius concinnus, &c. The extra- 

 ordinary Psectra diptera, a species universally rare, has 

 been found in Somersetshire. Of those peculiarly British, 

 Sisyra terminalis and S. Dalii are probably the only 

 examples, and it is very unlikely that we can long retain 

 undisputed claim to these. 



TRANS. ENT. SOC. 1868. PAET II. fjULY) . L 



