Nerve'Winged or Lace^winged Insects 



699 



out of the cocoon which it made, when a larva, hy spinnin 

 threads. 



In some South European and African insects allied to 

 modified into extremely long and slender shafts, slightly 

 an Indian species belonging to a 

 related genus these wings are scarcely 

 more than threads, and hear a super- ^ 



facial resemblance to the attenuated '^« 



limbs of certain gnats. One group, 

 of which a Japanese species is a 

 well-known representative, is char- 

 acterised by the long, slender, and 

 clubbed antennae. 



The IMantis-flies are remark- i 

 able for the structure of the fore 

 limbs, which are almost exactly 

 similar in character to those of the f 

 praying-mantis. The upper segment \ 

 of the leg is so lengthened as to look 

 like an additional joint ; the lower 



g grains of sand together with silken 



th(^ ant-lions the hind wings are 

 expanded at the extremities. In 



surface of the thigh is armed with a 



I 



11 1 MI 1 I ^ M ^1 



Showing one year's reconstruction to nest, of ^vhich tlie photogi-apber made a section. 



once 



grasped being effectually prevented 



number of long, sharp spines ; and 



the tibia, or lower part of the leg, 



folds closely dosvn upon it, after the 



manner of the blade of a clasp-knife. 



These limbs are used for seizing, an insect which is 



by the sj)ines from breaking away. 



The larvre of these insects are parasitic in the nests of tree-wasps and spiders, and have 

 the peculiarity of practically losing their limbs as they approach maturity ; so that while at 

 first they are free and active, they afterwards become almost as helpless as those of many 

 beetles. One species is found in Southern Europe, the remainder being widely distributed 



over the hotter regions of the globe. 

 '■ > Allied to the IMantis-tlies are the curious S-Nake- 



FLIES, or Camel-fliks. In these insects the head is 

 very large, and is attached to the thorax, or central 

 division of the bod}', by a long and distinct neck, 

 which allows it great freedom of motion. The neck 

 is usually raised and the head bent down, giving to 

 the insect a remarkably snake-like appearance. 



These flies are predaceous in their habits, and the 

 four British species may be foimd on the banks of 

 ponds and small streams, where they can obtain 

 insect-victims in plenty. The larva; live beneath the 

 bark of trees, and wriggle about in a singularly 

 serpentine fashion. 



Equally curious in a different way are the 

 Scorpion-flies, in which the body is prolonged into 

 a slender three-jointed process, the extremity of which, in the male, is furnished with 

 a pair of curved forceps. In spite of their somewhat formidable appearance these insects 

 are perfectly harmless. They are very plentiful almost e\-erywhere, and may be found in 

 numbers on any sunny summer morning resting on the herbage on hedge-banks, or running 

 actively about on the leaves of low bushes. Like the Snake-flies, they are predaceous, feeding 



I'lwto by W. F. JJiiaUo, I'.Z.S., JOyjints ram. 



SCORPION-FLY. 



Eemarkable for the curious structure of the end of the body. 



