NEUROPTERA. 



427 



its name of Ant-lion. Towards the month of July, the larvae make 

 themselves a spherical cocoon, mixed with grains of sand, in which 

 they are transformed into pupae which are hatched towards the end of 

 August. The perfect ant-lions diffuse an odour of roses ; their flight, 

 which is weak, distinguishes them from the dragon-flies. We meet in 

 the south of France with a very beautiful species of Ant-lion, the 

 Myrmeleo libelhiloides (Fig. 404) ; its larva can move forwards, and 

 does not dig itself a funnel. 



The genus Ascalaphus (Fig. 407) is remarkable for the long 

 clubbed antennse of its members, and for their rapid flight. They 

 like the sun, and live especially in hot countries ; however, one meets 

 with the Ascalaphus, in the month of July, near Paris, on the dry 



Fig. 403. Larva of Fig. 406 Larra 

 Myrmeleo libelluloides. of Ascalaphus. 



Fig. 407. Ascalaphus meridionalL 



declivities of Lardy and of Poquency. Their larvae (Fig. 406) have 

 mandibles adapted for suction. They watch for insects under heaps 

 of stones, and spring upon their prey. 



The first states of the Nemoptera* (Fig. 408) are as yet little known. 

 They are insects with wings spotted with yellow and black, the lower 

 ones almost linear, and are met with in southern countries, and but 

 very rarely in the south of France. 



The Hemerobii, to which are given by the French the name of 

 Demoiselles terrestrcs, or I,and Dragon-Flies, are very small delicate 

 insects, of an apple-green colour, with golden red eyes. These insects 

 leave on the fingers, when seized, an offensive odour. Reaumur calls 

 them Lions des pucerotis (Plant-Lice Lions), because their larvae, which 

 resembles the larvae of the ant-lions, and which live on plants, feed on 



* From 



a thread, and irrepov, a wing. 



