96 Roses for Amateurs. 



La.cewing Flies and Hemerobius. 



Though probably as common as the Ladybirds, the 

 useful Lacewing Flies, clad in garments of resplendent 

 green, and provided with eyes of the loveliest golden-yellow, 

 that look like miniature precious stones, are seldom recog- 

 nised except by entomologists. Lacewing Flies are slender- 

 looking creatures, whose appearance and general structure are 

 not likely to impress the ordinary observer with the fact that 

 they are capable of rendering excellent aid in the garden. 

 Yet such they can and undoubtedly do, and, moreover, like 

 the Ladybirds, are useful alike as perfect insects and as 

 larvae (they have more than a superficial resemblance to Lady- 

 bird grubs). Lacewing Flies belong to the order Neuroptera. 

 Though beautiful to look at, the smell they emit is most 

 objectionable. Indeed, on the latter account, they are known 

 by the popular and appropriate name of Stink Flies. 



The eggs, too, are noteworthy, being found at the end 

 of long stalks. Usually, the Lacewing Fly larvae hunt the 

 " Greenfly," and suck them dry by means of some 

 peculiarly constructed " spears," leaving the dry bodies. 

 Occasionally, however, they clothe themselves with the skins 

 of their victims, much after the manner of certain Hemerobius 

 larvae. These latter, as well as the Lacewing Flies (Chryso- 

 pits), larvae, and stalked eggs, should be carefully preserved. 



Ladybirds. 



These Beetles, in both the perfect and the larval stage, 

 are of the greatest benefit to the Rose-cultivator, as they 

 destroy vast quantities of Greenfly. Be- 

 fore, therefore, syringing a Rose-bush 

 against Aphides, it would be well to see 

 whether any of the very useful Lady- 

 Grub of Seven-spotted birds and their larvae are there. The 

 Ladybird (enlarged). Beetles themselves will be readily 

 recognised, though their larvae (see illustration) may not be. 



