Nerve-winged Insects; Scorpion-flies; Caddis-flies 237 
(Fig. 326), the commonest species in the eastern states, lays its eggs, accord¬ 
ing to Felt, in crevices of the ground; the larvae (Fig. 327) hatch in from 
six to seven days and grow rapidly. They burrow in the soil, but not deeply, 
and spend some time wandering about on the surface hunting for food. 
They are full-grown in about one month, probably. The further life-history 
of no American species is yet known, but the larva of a European species, 
when full-fed, burrows deeper into the ground, excavates an oval cell in 
a small lump of earth and lies in it for several months before pupating. In 
this condition it shrivels to one-half of its previous length, and the body 
becomes curved backwards. If taken out, it moves slowly and cannot 
walk. 
The species of the genus Bittacus, of which there are nine known in 
our country, are long-legged, slender-bodied, narrow-winged insects (a 
California species is wingless) which do not resemble the scorpion-flies 
much in general appearance, but have a similar 
beak (although longer and slenderer) on the 
head, and have also a similar venation of the 
wings. All the species as far as known are 
predaceous, capturing and eating various kinds 
of insects and probably taking no food except 
that which they catch alive. Bittacus strigosus 
(Fig. 3 8) is the most familiar form in the East. 
I inhabits shady swamps or moist coverts along 
streams, and may be seen restlessly flitting from 
branch to branch, or resting for short times sus¬ 
pended from a leaf or twig by its long fore legs, 
sometimes by the middle ones also. Its general 
appearance, thus suspended, is not very unlike 
a bit of dried dangling foliage. The position 
appears restful and one might almost think the 
insect asleep. “But it is very far from that,” 
says Felt, “as many a small insect could testify 
were it still alive. The small fly that ventures Fig. 328. — Bittacus strigosus . 
... , c t i i • , . M (Twice natural size.) 
within reach of the long, dangling legs imperils 
its life. In a second those well-armed tarsi seize the unfortunate, the fourth 
and fifth segments of the tarsus shutting together like the jaws of a trap 
with teeth upon their opposing surfaces. The struggle is usually short; 
two, three, or four of those long legs lay hold of the captive and soon 
bring it within reach of the sharp beak. It is only a minute’s work 
to pierce a soft part of the body and suck the victim’s blood, when 
the lifeless remains are dropped to the ground and the insatiate insect 
is ready for the next.” The eggs of this species seem to develop and be 
