THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



Vol. LV.] 



MAY, 1922. 



[No. 708 



THE LIFE-HISTORY OF HEMEROBIUS STIGMA, STEPH. 



By C. L. Withycombe, B.Sc, F.E.S. 



As there have been several records recently of Hemerobius 

 stigma being taken in the early part of the year, the following short 

 account of the life-history of this insect may be of interest. 



Hemerobius stigma, Steph.— Fig. 1 : Pair of pine needles showing positions 

 in which eggs are laid (indicated by arrows), natural size. Fig. 2 : Egg, 

 x 30. Fig. 3 : Larva, x 6. Fig. 4 : Pupa, x 6. Fig. 5 : Imago, x 4. 



Hemerobius stigma is perhaps one of the most variable of all 

 the brown lacewings, one form common in summer having warm 

 brown wings practically devoid of markings, while the other extreme 

 has greyish-brown, much spotted wings. The last form is in my 

 experience the only one found in winter, but during the warmer 

 months all varieties may be taken. The species is easily captured 

 by beating conifers. On falling into the tray the insects either 

 feign death, bending the antennae with the legs under the body, 

 or they may jump about for a second or two with a peculiar hopping 

 motion, finally walking away and taking to flight. They are not 

 strong flyers, and are rarely long on the wing. The adults feed on 

 aphids, honey-dew, etc., and, in some cases observed, live foi at 

 least eight weeks. 



ENTOM. MAY, 1922. K 



