342 ZOOLOGY 



Cyprus, and over 12,000 tons of locusts. Various species 

 compose the locust swarms in different parts of the world. 



Acridium peregrinum does much harm in India and 

 Algeria. Swarms of Caloptenus spretus, another of the Acri- 

 diidae, have been known to clear off every green thing over 300 

 square miles in Colorado in less than six weeks. In Minne- 

 sota 300 egg capsules, each containing thirty eggs of this 

 species, were found on an average in every square foot. These 

 figures give some idea of the astounding numbers of these 

 locust swarms. 



OkderS. NEUROPTERA. 



Chaeacteeistics. — Insects with memhranous imTigs, both pairs 

 alike, with, the veins forming a vnore or less close network. 

 Tlie mouth parts are, as a rule, of the hiting type. Meta- 

 morphosis complete or incomplete. 



The ' Neuroptera form a rather heterogeneous collection of 

 Insects, which, however, resemble each other in the character 

 of their wings. Many of the subdivisions of this order have 

 but little in common, and it is difficult to group them into 

 sub-orders ; it will therefore be advisable to consider a few 

 of the more important forms under the designation of their 

 families. 



Family 1. Teemitidae. — The white ants flourish most 

 abundantly within the tropics ; certain genera, however, as 

 Calotermes, and some species of Termes, occur in subtropical 

 and temperate climates. 



The antennae are short ; the abdomen of nine segments is 

 oval and flattened, unlike the linear abdomen of most of the 

 Neuroptera. The wings when at rest are unfolded, and lie 

 flat upon the back (Fig. 194). 



The Teemitidae, like the more highly organised ants and 

 bees, live in communities, and the individuals have undergone 

 considerable modifications, correlated with their particular 

 functions in society. The sexual forms are winged ; the 

 apterous members of the community are either larvae, which, 

 unlike the larvae of the Hymenoptera, take an active share in 

 the work of the nest, or are neuters, i.e. individuals with 

 sexual glands, which, however, do not reach maturity, and 



