60 CALIFORNIA STATE COMMISSION OF HORTICULTURE. 



The family Raphidiidse is represented in California by an insect 

 about half an inch in length, with a peculiarly shaped head and neck 

 which protrude far in advance of the wings. It is a predaceous insect, 

 lives largely on the larvae of the codling-moth, and is one of the best of 

 the native parasites of this pest. It is not a common insect, but is 

 sometimes found under the bark of trees, where it takes refuge. 



The family Coniopterygidse comprises a few rare insects which have 

 no economic importance, and are of interest only to the systematist. 



The family Sialidse includes the Dobson fly, which, in its larval form, 

 serves as a bait for anglers. In this stage it is an aquatic insect, living 

 upon other water insects. It has no economic value. 



The family Myrmeleonidse are the doodle-bugs, or ant-lions. They 

 have the peculiar habit of setting a trap for their prey, usually in the 

 path of the ants, and this they do by digging a pit in the shifting sand. 

 When an ant gets over the edge of this pit he rolls to the bottom, where 

 the doodle-bug grasps him in his jaws and sucks out the juices. In 

 their matured form they strongly resemble dragon-flies. 



The family Hemerobiidae strongly resembles the lace-winged flies in 

 appearance, but much larger and differently colored, being usually 

 dark brown. They are predaceous, and, so far, beneficial. 



The family Chrysopidse includes the lace-winged flies, so well known 

 to our orchardists. In their larval form they are commonly known as 

 aphis-lions, from the fact that they are largely predaceous on aphids. 

 The mature insect is a very pretty creature, with its delicate form, 

 gauzy wings, and brilliant, prominent golden eyes. Upon being dis- 



FIG. 55. Lace-winged fly. 



turbed they emit a disagreeable fetid odor. Their eggs are white, are 

 supported on long stalks, and are usually deposited on plants infested 

 with aphids. The larvae are active and extremely voracious. There 

 are two or more broods during the summer, and the last brood winters 

 in the pupa state protected by a compact, round, whitish cocoon. 



There has been much confusion among entomologists in regard to the 

 insects comprising this order, owing to the diversity of character of 

 many of the insects classified under it originally, and this has resulted 



