Order MECOPTERA. 



The "scorpion flies" are a curious remnant of what I believe has been a 

 synthetic type from which the Hymenoptera and Diptera have been derived. 

 They have narrow, net veined wings, the cross veins rather few in number, laid 

 flat across the back when at rest. The mouth parts are mandibulate and set at 

 the end of a proportionately long beak, so that the order is readily recognizable. 



In the males of Panorpa the abdomen is fur- 

 nished with a curiously jointed forceps, curved 

 upward so tbat it somewhat resembles the tail 

 with a sting of a scorpion ; and this gives the 

 insect its common name The flies are preda- 

 tory and feed upon a variety of small insects. 



The larvae are caterpillar-like in shape, have 

 8 pairs of flesh}' pro-legs, live in damp soil and 

 are predatory in habit. The pupal stage is qui- 

 escent. 

 The species of Borens occur during the winter 

 or very early in Spring, usually on the surface 

 of newly fallen snow after a short period of mild 

 weather. They are of little practical import- 

 ance ; but are certainly not in any way in- 



j Lirious. Fig. 26.— Larva of a scorpion-fly 



enlarged. 



Fig. 25. — A male scorpion-fly ; Pa- 

 norpa sp , somewhat enlarged. 



Family PANORPIDJE. 



BITTACTJS Latr. 



B. occidentis Wlk. Recorded from Pennsylvania. 

 B. strigosus Hagen. New York to District Columbia. 



PANORPA Linn. 



P. debilis Westw. Staten Island VI, VII, VIII (Ds), not uncommon at 

 Jamesburg. 



P. maculosa Hagen. New York and Pennsylvania. 



P. nebulosa Westw. Staten Island VI. (Ds), New Jersey, not common (Bt), 

 Del Water Gap, VII (Jn). 



P. rufescens Ramb. "New Jersey" (Bt), Caldwell (Cr , Little Falls VIII 

 (Ds), Del. Water Gap VII ( Jn), Riverton IXand g. d. 



P. venosa Westw. Sparta VII (Ds), eastern United States generally. 



(59) 



