COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION OF INSECTS 



37 



NEUROPTERA 



Neuroptera (lacewing flies, ant lions, and their allies) are rather 

 fragile insects with two pairs of many-veined wings of about the same 

 size ; the antennae are long. ( See fig. 33. ) The mouth parts are formed 

 for chewing. The immature stages are predaceous. The commonest 

 ones are the aphid lion, and the "doodle-bug," or ant lion, which forms 

 pits in dry, dusty places. Because they feed on insect pests they are 

 beneficial. 



Figure 33. — Neuroptera. Chrysopa oculata Say, a common green lacewing fly, and 

 eggs attached to plant. Actual length of adult about 13 mm. 



ZORAPTERA 



Zoraptera are small insects, either winged or wingless, the winged 

 members with two pairs of wings with few veins. The antennae are 

 rather long. The mouth parts are formed for chewing. The imma- 

 ture stages resemble the adults. These little-known insects live under 

 bark of trees and under boards and slabs of wood on old sawdust piles. 

 They somewhat resemble termites and might easily be mistaken for 

 them but are considerably smaller. 



MEGALOPTERA 



Megaloptera (alder flies, dobson flies) are rather large insects with 

 two pairs of similar wings with many veins. The antennae are long. 

 The mouth parts are formed for chewing. The immature stages, 

 which are aquatic, are unlike the adults. (See fig. 34.) The immature 

 stage of the dobson fly is the hellgrammite, familiar to fishermen and 

 much prized as bait. The adults are found near streams. 



