458 



NEUROPTERA 



CHAP. 



pletes this remarkable spinning apparatus. The alimentary 

 canal of the imago has been described and 

 figured by Dufour^; it is very different 

 from that of the larva. 



The ant-lion is capable of sustaining 

 prolonged fasts. Dufour kept specimens for 

 six months without any food. These In- 

 sects are said to give off a peculiar ant-like 

 odour, due, it is thought, to their ant- 

 eating habits. Although no species in- 

 habits Great Britain, yet one is found in 

 Southern Sweden. Introduced specimens 

 get on very well in confinement in our 

 country,^ and would probably flourish at 

 large for some years if they were liber- 

 ated. 



Although the number of known species 

 and genera of Myrmeleonides is consider- 

 able that of the species being now 

 upwards of 300 the members of the 

 small genus Myrmeleon are the only forms 

 that are known to make pits of the kind 

 we have described. Other larvae^ are 

 known similar in general form to the 



Fig. 301. Upper aspect of common ant-lion, but they walk forwards 

 head and alimentary canal -^ ^j^^ ^^^^^^^j manner, and apparently 



of Myrmdeoii : a, crop ; o, _ ... 



stomacii ; c, free extremi- hunt their prey by lurking in a hidden 

 t2sr';teiSS:;; place and, when a chance occurs, rush- 

 portion of other six tubes ; ing on the victim with rapidity. Brauer 



its sheath ; g, g, maxillary DendroleoTi pantherinus in the Prater at 



glands. (After Meinert.) ^^ 



The most remarkable forms of Myrmeleonides are contained 

 in the genus Palpares. We figure Tomateres citrinus (Fig. 299), 

 an allied genus found in Eastern Africa as far south as Natal. 

 These Insects have conspicuous blotclies and marks on their 

 wings. The species of Myrmeleon are similar in form, but are 

 smaller, more feeble, and less ornate in appearance. 



1 Ann. Sci. Strang, vii. 1834, pi. 12. ^ M'Lachlan, Fnt Month. Mag. ii. 1865, p. 73. 



2 Redtenbacher, Denk. Ak. JVie7i, xlviii. 1884, p. 335. 



