INSECTS AND OTHER SMALL ANIMALS 



297 



The dragon fly, with its long slender body, large 

 eyes, and brilliant wings, may be seen darting about 

 in the summer. It is called the Devil's darning needle 

 and also the mosquito hawk. 



The eggs are deposited on the water or on some 

 stem growing in the water. The young when hatched 



FIG. 150. Dragon Fly. 



feed on the larvae of other insects found in the water. 

 In the imago, or fully developed stage, they catch 

 their prey and feed on it in the air. This insect destroys 

 numberless mosquitoes, both in the water and out. 



Beetles (Coleoptera, sheath-winged). --There are 

 probably one hundred thousand different species of 

 beetles. Their mouth parts are developed for biting; 

 the fore wing is horny and the hind wing is gauzy and 

 folded under the fore wing when not in use. Beetles 

 go through a complete metamorphosis. 



It is, of course, impossible to name here all the beetles, 

 but a few of the most common included in this order are : 

 June bugs, ladybirds, potato bugs, burying beetles, blis- 

 ter beetles, weevils, fireflies, tumble bugs, and curculios. 



