The Chrysopas or Golden Eyes 



ROGBB C, Smith. Ph.D. 

 Public Museum, Milwaukee 



This family < >f a >mm< m insects is < ne deserving < »ur acquaintance. 

 Not only are they beautiful and possess striking habits, bul they 

 are also of considerable economic importance. Both the larvae 

 and adults feed on plant lice, young scale, mites and other small, 

 soft-bodied forms which are for the most part destructive to man. 



The adults of this family can be taken at lights in the evening 

 from seven to nine o'clock and around plants upon which are plant 

 lice or aphids from early summer until late autumn. The stalked 

 eggs, all stages of the larvae and occasionally the cocoons can be 

 found on aphid infested plants during the same period. The adults 

 are largely pale green in color with the head variously marked 

 with orange, red or brownish black. The eyes in life have a strik- 

 ing golden luster, hence the name golden eyes (chrysos-golden, 

 opsis-eye). The wings are large and when at rest are held roof 

 like at the sides of the body. They are opalescent and their rich 

 venation has called forth the name "Lace Wings" for the family, a 

 name quite commonly used. The wings vary slightly in size, 

 shape and coloration. The veins of some species are all light green 

 others vary to all veins black. There has been some difference of 

 <>I inion as to the food of the adults. But the writer believes that 

 practically all our species eat aphids, requiring 10 to 20 per day. 

 They also lap up drops of water or plant sap greedily. 



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