NEUROPTERA. 



223 



DD. Subcostal and median veins separate. 



E. Some of the transverse veins between the costal and subcostal 

 forked. (Micromus, Hemerobius.} 2. HEMEROBIIMJE. 



EE. Transverse veins between the costal and subcostal veins simple. 



3. CHRYSOPIN^E. 



CC. Antennae gradually enlarging towards the end, or filiform with a ter- 

 minal knob. 4. MYRMELEOMN.K. 

 AA. Prothorax greatly elongated ; first pair of legs fitted for grasping. 



5. MANTISPIN^E. 



Sub-family I. CONIOPTERYGIN^E. 

 (Mealy-winged Neuroptera^) 



This is a sub-family of limited extent ; and it includes only small 

 insects. They are characterized by a very small number of veins in 

 the wings, and by having the body and wings covered with a whitish 

 powder. The larvae are said to have the peculiar form of sucking 

 mouth-parts characteristic of the Hemerobiadae ; and they probably 

 feed upon small plant-lice. 



Two genera have been described. Aleuronia has reniform eyes 

 and ciliated wings ; in Coniopteryx the eyes are globose and the 

 wings are not ciliated. Our common species is Aleuronia ^vest^voodi^. 

 This occurs in the adult state in June and July ; it is black, with the 

 abdomen yellowish; and measures to -the tip of the wings 2$ mm. 

 (o.i inch). 



Sub-family II. HEMEROBIIN^:. 



To this sub-family belong many genera, of which several are repre- 

 sented in this country. The antennae are setiform or moniliform 

 without any terminal enlargement. The wings are furnished with 

 numerous veins, and are not covered with powder. Our genera fall, 

 into two groups; the first is represented by Slsyra and Polystce- 

 chotes, and the second by Micromus and Hemerobius. These groups 

 are separated in the table of sub-families given above. The genera 

 in each group can be separated as follows : The costal space * of the 

 front wings of Sisyra has no recurrent vein at the base; while in 

 Polystcechotes the first transverse vein of this space curves towards 

 the base of the wing, and gives off several branches in its course. 

 The same difference exists between Micromus and Hemerobius ; 

 the former is without the recurrent vein, while it is present in the 

 latter. 



* The costal space is the area between the costal and subcostal veins. 



