114 CRABS AND INSECTS. 



Ant-Lion (Myrmeleori). The ant-lion in its complete 

 state resembles a small dragon-fly. The eggs are laid in 

 dry, sandy places, the young larvae when hatched excavat- 

 ing a pitfall by whirling their bodies about, and throwing 

 the sand out (Fig. 137). The pit complete, the ant-lion 



FIG. 137. Ant-lion. Adult, and larvae, the forceps of one showing at the 

 bottom of the pitfall. 



conceals itself at the bottom, only its forceps appearing, 

 ready to grasp the ants that tumble in. This hunting life 

 is led for two years, when it envelops itself in a round 

 ball of sand and silk, and in three weeks breaks out a per- 

 fect insect. 



NOTE. The aphis-lion (Chrysopa) lays eggs that mimic delicate 

 plants or fungi. They appear growing from the ground attached to 

 stalks, and are placed near food adapted to the young. 



White- Ants (Termttida). These insects in North 

 America are generally of four kinds : winged kings and 

 queens, and soldiers and workers that are wingless. The 

 workers are the smallest and youngest, and build the nest, 

 attend the queen, young, etc. The soldiers are those that 

 have undergone the first metamorphosis.* They have large 



* Packard considers the soldiers and workers specialized forms. 



