4-H CLUB INSECT MANUAL 



37 





shown here is Brachymeria ovata, which lives as a parasite inside the 

 pupae of various moths. It is about three-sixteenths of an inch long. 

 It overwinters possibly as an adult, or perhaps within its host as a 

 full-grown larva. Some species of chalcids, however, live in seeds. 

 These may be controlled by cultural practices. 



Sawflies. — In the order Hymenoptera 

 is another group of insects, the sawflies, : 

 whose larvae very much resemble cater- 

 pillars. Adult sawflies rest with their 

 wings folded flatwise over their backs. 

 The adult shown here is about three- 

 eighths of an inch long. The wings 

 have been spread to show the structure. 

 This is the imported currant worm 

 (Pteronidea ribesii) . The larva chews 

 holes in the leaves of currants and figure 93.-Sawfly. 



gooseberries. It has complete life changes and overwinters as either 

 a full-grown larva or a pupa in a silken case in trash on the ground 

 near where the larva feeds. It can be controlled with any good 

 stomach poison. 



MISCELLANEOUS GROUPS 



Lacewings. — Very few clusters of aphids 

 or plant lice appear without the presence 

 of small cream-colored lizardlike insects. 

 These active little insects, which are the 

 larvae of lacewing flies, have long, sickle- 

 shaped jaws in addition to antennae, or 

 feelers. The parent as pictured here is pale 

 green in color ; some species have black and 

 red markings about the head. This insect 

 is approximately half an inch long. It has chewing mouth parts, 

 four lacelike wings, and can either crawl or fly. The larvae have a 

 combination of chewing and sucking mouth parts ; that is, the sickle- 

 like projections referred to earlier are hollow, and after the larvae 

 have pierced the bodies of weaker insects they suck the body fluids 

 of their prey through the hollow, hooked mouth parts. Lacewing 

 flies have a complete metamorphosis. 

 They belong to the order Neuroptera. ; 

 The full-grown larvae or adults over- 

 winter under bark, in fallen leaves, 

 etc. These insects are beneficial in 

 helping to control pests. The species 

 shown here is Chrysopa oculata. 



Dragonflies. — Every boy or girl 

 who has wandered along a stream has 

 seen the insect which in some sections 

 is called a snake feeder, or snake 

 doctor, but as a matter of fact it is a 

 dragonfly and has no connection with snakes. The adults have four thin 

 glossy wings, some with smaller or larger darker patches and numer- 

 ous veins. The adults have chewing mouth parts and catch insects 

 while in flight. The nymphs are carnivorous and live in water, where 

 they feed on insects and other small aquatic animals. Dragonflies 



Figure 94. — Lacewing. 



Figure 95. — Dragonfly. 



