Order NEUROPTERA. 



{Dragon-flifs, May-flies, Ant-lions, White Ants &c.) 



Char. Wings four, membranous, net-veined, gen- 

 erally large, and of equal size. 

 Mouth parts formed for biting. 

 Metamorphosis complete or incomplete. 

 Abdomen of females with no sting or piercer. 



Although we find exceptions to nearly every leading characteristic of 

 this order, the members of it may, in most cases, be easily distinguished 

 from other insects. They are separated from the Lepidoptera, Diplera 

 and Hemiptera by their masticatory mouth-parts; from the Hymenoptera 

 by the equal size of the wings, the greater number of the areolets, the 

 non-possession of a sting or piercer, and the shape of the maxilloe, which 

 do not form a sheath for the labium ; and from the Coleoptera and Or- 

 thoptera by the anterior wings being membranous. 



The Neuroptera is, comparatively, ar\ order of small extent, but in- 

 cludes insects that differ widely in habits. Although, structurally, they are 

 the lowest insects, some of them rival in complexity of habits the highest 

 members of the class. The species are mostly predaceous and can be 

 ranked among beneficial insects. 



Only a few of the better Unovvn species will be discussed here. 



TermitiD/K {White Ants). 



These insects resemble, somewhat, in form and hab- 

 its, the ants. They are social, the colonies sometimes 

 containing an immense number of individuals. There 

 are four forins, — male, female, worker, and soldier. 

 The males and females are winged ; the workers and 

 soldiers are wingless. 



