[25] 



COLLECTING AND PRESERVING INSECTS RILEY. 



Fig. 40. — I'socus venosus. 

 Comstock.) 



(From. 



by the common species, Fsocus venosus (see Fig. 40), The legs aud 

 antenna) are long and slender and the wings are folded roof-like over 

 the body when the insect is at rest. They feed on lichens and dry 

 vegetation. 



The Termitidse are represented in this 

 country by the White-ant {Termes flavipes), 

 which is frequently so destructive to wood- 

 work, books, etc. The term White-ant ap- 

 plied to these insects is unfortunate, as in 

 structure they are widely separated from 

 ants and resemble them only in general ap- 

 pearance and also in their social habits. 

 Like the ants they live in colonies and have 

 a number of distinct forms, as winged and wingless, males and females,, 

 and workers and soldiers. 



Suborder Plecopteea {-asxtoc, plaited; -rsp6'^, wing). Closely allied 

 to the latter suborder is the suborder Plecoptera, which includes the 



single family Perlidte or Stone- 

 flies. The larvpe and pupae of 

 these insects are aquatic, being 

 often found under stones in 

 water, whence the name. The 

 adults are long, flattened in- 

 sects, with long antennae. The 

 wings are ample and are some- 

 what folded or j^laited, from 

 which character the suborder 

 takes its name. 



Suborder Odonata («»9ou^, 

 tooth ) . This includes the Drag- 

 on-flies or Libellulidae, the most 

 common and the best known of 

 the iS'europtera. The larva and the active pupa or nymph are aquatic 

 and are predaceous, as is also the adult. A common species is repre- 

 sented at Fig. 33. 



The Suborder Ephemeeoptera (^^>y>£/3('v, a day-fly ; Ttrspov, wing) com- 

 prises the May-flies, or Ephemeridae (see Fig. 42). 

 These insects are very fragile and are often at- 

 tracted in enormous numbers to electric lights. 

 They have large front wings, while the hind wings 

 are small, rudimentary, or wanting. They are fur- 

 nished with two or three very long, jointed, thread- 

 like caudal appendages. The larval and njTnphal 

 stages are passed in the water and aquatic vegeta- 

 tion furnishes the food, although some species may fig.42.— a May-fly (Prota- 

 be predaceous. The adults have very rudimentary "'St'pSrd.r'- 



Pig. 41. — A Stone fly (Pteronaicyi> ngalis) 

 Comstock.) 



(From 



