34 GUIDE TO INSECTS. 



The species at present known are chiefly South European, African 

 and Australian. A larva believed to be that of Nemoptera is found in 

 the tombs in Egypt. It is remarkable for the great length of its 

 neck (1354). 



The JVymphidce (1361) have the head free, transverse, with 

 prominent eyes. The antennas are moderately long and slender. 

 The four wings are equal and similar. They show a typical neura- 

 tion, the eleven veins being all distinguishable, with the fourth and 

 sixth both complete to the base, and the seventh emitting a branch 

 from about the middle. The tarsi have the claws furnished with 

 membranous lobes. 



These insects are Australian. Nothing is known of their habits. 



The Osmylidm (1362-1365). — The insects usually included in 

 this family have the head variable, sometimes slightly imbedded in 

 the prothorax, but generally nearly free, transverse, with rather 

 prominent eyes. The antennas are slender, of moderate length. 

 The neuration of the wings is somewhat similar to that in the 

 Nymphidm, but the seventh vein is parallel to the sixth (and 6a), 

 does not emit a distinct branch to the hind margin, and appears to 

 terminate at a cross vein at some distance from the margin. Nearly 

 the whole wing has a border of fine forked veins. 



These delicate and beautiful insects are widely distributed. 

 Osmylits chrysops (1 362) is not uncommon in the New Forest. The 

 larva is found under stones or in moss in or near water. 



The genus Dilar is remarkable for the comb-like antennae of the 

 male. The genera Ithone, Rapisma and Psycliopsis (1365) are 

 included in this family, but they are very aberrant. 



The Hemerobiidw are rather small insects, with very short 

 prothorax. The neuration of the wings is a still further departure 

 from that seen in the Nymphidce. The fourth vein is in part or 

 wholly absent, and there are numerous veins branching directly from 

 the third vein. 



The larvas are carnivorous and live chiefly on Aphides (Green-fly), 

 from which they suck all moisture. They have the curious habit 

 of placing the empty skins of their victims, as well as fragments of 

 vegetable matter, on their backs so that they are often completely 

 concealed. 



The HemeroUidca and Chrysopidm closely resemble the Osmylidce, 

 but have the antennas of great length. The neuration of the 

 wings divides the surface into a number of oblique oblong cells ; 

 the fourth vein curves away from the third ; the fifth is absent. 



