CHAPTER XV. 
Order Neuroptera (Neu-rop'te-ra). 
The Dobson , Aphis-lions, Ant-lions, and others . 
The members of this order have four wings ; these are mem± 
branous and furnished with numerous veins , and usually with 
many cross veins. The head is not prolonged into a beak . The 
mouth-parts are formed for biting . The metamorphosis is 
complete . 
The name of this order is from two Greek words: neuron , a 
nerve ; and pteron , a wing. It refers to the numerous nerves, 
or veins as they are more commonly called, with which the 
wings are furnished. 
When the name Neuroptera was first used it was applied 
to a much larger group of insects than now, a group which 
has since been divided into many orders. So that now, 
while the name expresses a character which is true of the 
order, it is also true of many others.* 
The order Neuroptera as now restricted is represented in 
the United States by seven families. These can be separated 
by the following table :— 
TABLE FOR DETERMINING THE FAMILIES OF NEUROPTERA. 
A. Prothorax as long as or longer than the mesothorax and the 
metathorax combined. 
B. Fore legs greatly enlarged and fitted for grasping, p. 179. 
MANTISPIDiE. 
* The Neuroptera of the older Entomologists included the following 
orders : Thysanura, Ephemerida, Odonata, Plecoptera, Isoptera, Corroden- 
tia, Mallophaga, Neuroptera, Mecoptera, and Trichoptera. 
175 
