27 

 Order V. Platyptera. Plat-winged Insects. 



This order includes several groups of insects which were 

 formerly considered in the old order Neuroptera. It com- 

 prises the families containing the Termites, the biting bird 

 lice and the book lice. The termites, or white ants, are well 

 known (Fig. 21) ; the bird lice are wingless parasites of birds 



Fig. 21. Platyptera. White Ant. 



(a) adult male ; (b) terminal abdominal segments; (c) same of female; 



(d) male side view ; (e) abdomen of female, side view ; (/) tarsus 



showing joints and claw ; a, d, e. enlarged ; b, c. /, qreatly enlarged. 



(From U.S. Agric.) Dept. 



