WHITE ANTS. 



367 



In the May-fly (Fig. 327) the leaf-like gills grow out from 

 the sides of the body. In the larval and pupal Perla 

 (Fig. 328), tufts of gills are situated on the under side of 



the prothorax, and in 

 the adult winged Pte- 

 ronarcys these gills 

 are retained. Both an 

 European and Brazil- 

 ian Caddis-fly has been 

 found to possess gills 

 in the winged condi- 

 tion. 



The habits of the 

 Neuroptera are most 

 interesting ; the ant- 

 lion in the larval state 

 constructs a pitfall for 

 unwary insects. Its 

 metamorphosis is com- 

 plete, as is that of the 

 Aphis-lion (Fig. 329, 

 Chrysopa oculata Say, 

 adult and eggs). 



As an example of 



Fig. 887.-May.fly and larva, the latter enlarged, mimicry among insects 



is Mantispa (Fig. 330), 



which, in its raptorial fore-legs, strikingly resembles the 

 Orthopterous Mantis (Fig. 333). 



The white ants top the Neuropterous series ; they live in 

 stumps and fallen trees, and in the tropics do much harm 

 by undermining the sills 

 of houses, and destroying 

 furniture, books, etc. The 

 colonies are very large and 

 populous. In our Termes 

 flavipes there are males 

 and females, workers and 

 soldiers ; the workers being small, ant-like, with small round 

 heads, while the soldiers have large square heads, with long 



Fig. 329.Chi'y80pa and group of stalked 



eggs. 



