Nerve-winged Insects; Scorpion-flies; Caddis-flies 237 



(Fig. 326), the commonest species in the eastern states, lays its eggs, accord- 

 ing to Felt, in crevices of the ground; the larvae (Fig. 327) hatch in from 

 six to seven days and grow rapidly. They burrow in the soil, but not deeply, 

 and spend some time wandering about on the surface hunting for food. 

 They are full-grown in about one month, probably. The further life-history 

 of no American species is yet known, but the larva of a European species, 

 when full-fed, burrows deeper in'.o the ground, excavates an oval cell in 

 a small lump of earth and lies in it for several months before pupating. In 

 this condition it shrivels to one-half of its previous length, and the body 

 becomes curved backwards. If taken out, it moves slowly and cannot 

 walk. 



The species of the genus Bittacus, of which there are nine known in 

 our country, are long-legged, slender-bodied, narrow-winged insects (a 

 California species is wingless) which do not resemble the scorpion-flies 

 much in general appearance, but have a similar 

 beak (although longer and slenderer) on the 

 head, and have also a similar venation of the 

 wings. All the species as far as known are 

 predaceous, capturing and eating various kinds 

 of insects and probably taking no food except 

 that which they catch alive. Bittacus strigosus 

 (Fig. 3 8) is the most familiar form in the East. 

 I inhabits shady swamps or moist coverts along 

 streams, and may be seen restlessly flitting from 

 branch to branch, or resting for short times sus- 

 pended from a leaf or twig by its long fore legs, 

 sometimes by the middle ones also. Its general 

 appearance, thus suspended, is not very unlike 

 a bit of dried dangling foliage. The position 

 appears restful and one might almost think the 

 insect asleep. "But it is very far from that," 

 says Felt, "as many a small insect could testify 

 were it still alive. The small fly that ventures FI G. 328. Bittacus strigosus. 

 within reach of the long, dangling legs imperils 



its life. In a second those well-armed tarsi seize the unfortunate, the fourth 

 and fifth segments of the tarsus shutting together like the jaws of a trap 

 with teeth upon their opposing surfaces. The struggle is usually short; 

 two, three, or four of those long legs lay hold of the captive and soon 

 bring it within reach of the sharp beak. It is only a minute's work 

 to pierce a soft part of the body and suck the victim's blood, when 

 the lifeless remains are dropped to the ground and the insatiate insect 

 is ready for the next." The eggs of this species seem to develop and be 



