182 



THE STUDY OF INSECTS. 



The larger number of the species of this family belong 

 to the genus Hemerobius (Hem-e-ro'bi-us). These are small- 

 ish insects, the largest of which 

 expands hardly an inch. They 

 occur in forests, and especially 

 on cone -bearing trees. The 

 larvae bear a strong resem- 

 blance to the Aphis-lions, and like them feed upon Aphids 

 and other small insects. After sucking the blood from their 

 victims, they make cloaks for themselves of the empty skins. 



Fig. 220. — Polystaechotes punctatus. 



Family MYRMELEONID^E (Myr-me-le-on'i-dae). 



The Ant-lions and others. 



The Ant-lions, Myrmeleon (Myr-me'le-on). — In sandy 

 places beneath overhanging cliffs, beneath buildings, and 

 along sandy banks where the sun shines warmest, there may 

 be found, in all parts of our land, little, funnel-shaped pits 

 one or two inches across (Fig. 221). The sides are smooth 

 and as steep as the sand 

 will lie ; and at the bottom 

 may be seen two small 

 curved objects. All is still 

 and motionless until some 

 ant, hurrying along with 

 mind intent upon business, 

 carelessly runs over the edge of one of these pitfalls. Then 

 the ant commences to slide down, while some force below 

 throws out the sand from under its struggling feet, until it 

 slides into the bottom, where literally jaws of death are 

 awaiting it. For the curved objects are a pair of jaws, 

 attached to a strong head, and closely connected with a 

 greedy stomach. If we dig out the owner of the jaws we 

 find it a spry, humpbacked creature, which moves backward 

 more easily than forward. It is worth while to collect some 



Fig. 221. — Pitfall of an Ant-lion. 





