57 



Order Neuroptera. 

 The Neuroptera are not conspicuous either for size or 

 coloration, and most genera are also poor in species. Only 

 forty-three species in fifteen or sixteen genera have been 

 collected. Many are insatiable hunters, and therefore useful 

 to man by checking the increase of flies and other insects. The 

 Libellulid-E, or dragonflies, furnish twelve species in three 

 genera, viz., jEshna, Libellula, a,n(LAgrion. Many more are known 

 to exist. The Myrmileonidje, or ant-lions, exhibit thirteen 

 species in three genera. Myrmeleon furnishes six species, the 

 largest about three inches in span. The larvae possess very 

 large mandibles and hide at the botton of small, funnel-shaped 

 hollow, in which ants, &c, are entrapped and devoured. 

 Ascalaphus, distinguished by long antenna? with spoon-shaped 

 extremities, is only represented by one species, but the golden- 

 eyed Hemerobius, whose larva? act the lion among aphides by 

 night, musters six. Raphiclia and Panorpa present only one 

 species each ; the latter is common almost everywhere in the 

 bush, catching and devouring all day long whatever insects it 

 can manage. Phrygancsa and Perla comprise three species each, 

 and Ephemera two. Mcmtispa — so named because closely 

 resembling the Mantida? in general form — supplies four species, 

 linking the ISTeuroptera to the Orthoptera. Senilis and two 

 other genera only add one species each. The Termites are 

 likewise represented by one species only. They are small and 

 found nearly everywhere, but not nearly so destructive than 

 elsewhere. Where undisturbed they form low, conical hillocks, 

 generally marking the site of a stump of some tree. The only 

 native timber withstanding their attacks to any extent is the 

 inner red wood of Eucalyptus rostrata and somewhat less E. 

 viminalis. Being kept powerfully in check by the Formicidcs, 

 their natural enemies, the white ants act rather beneficially by 

 masticating and reducing into fertile humus all animal 

 droppings and decaying vegetable remains. 



Table Showing Families 



with Number op Genera 



and Species of 



Neuroptera. 







No. of 



No. of 



Families. 



Genera. 



Species. 



1. Termes .. 



1 



1 



2. Ephemeridaa 









1 



2 



3. Libellulidas 









3 



12 



4. Myrmeleonidffi . 









2 



7 



5. Hemerobini 









1 



6 



6. Baphidias 









2 



5 



7. Panorpini 









1 



1 



8. Perlidaj . . 









4 



6 



9. Phryganidas 









1 



3 



Total 









16 



43 



