58 
HOP. 
Lace-wings (larvse, Aphis-Lions). Hemerobiidce. 
Chrysopa perla. 
Golden Eye, and stalked eggs. Larva and empty cocoon, nat. size and mag. 
On August 9tli I received specimens of stalked eggs from Mr. 
James Kniglit, of Hillasli, near Petersfield, with enquiries as to the 
nature of the insect that would develop from them, the eggs “ having 
been found suspended by a filament to the under side of a Hop leaf.” 
These stalked eggs (of which one kind is figured) belong to the 
Hemerobiidce , or “ Lace-wings,” a family of flies of which the larvae 
feed chiefly on Aphides, whence their grubs take the name of “ Aphis- 
Lions.” As these Lace-wings are of use as checks on different kinds 
of Aphis, and are quite large enough to be seen and destroyed if their 
nature is not known, the following short account of them is given, 
with the special observation that they rank, like the Ladybirds, amongst 
beneficial insects. 
The Hemerobiidce, or Lace-wings, are divided by Stephens into four 
genera, of which the Chrysopa, or Golden Eyes, and the Hemerobius 
are the most important. The figure shows one of the common kinds, 
the Chrysopa perla. This is of a yellowish green, with “ golden eyes,” 
and has long horns, and rather long and narrowish iridescent wings, 
which are much marked, especially down the central part, with net- 
or lace-like veins. These wings are turned down when at rest (see 
figure). 
The division may be known from the Hemerobius by the latter 
having shorter horns, smaller eyes, and the wings being shorter and 
broader, and somewhat downy, with fewer cross-veins. 
The habits of these appear much alike. The female discharges 
a small quantity of sticky matter together with each egg. This is 
drawn out in the operation of egg-laying into a long fine thread, 
which hardens rapidly, and thus bears the egg safely, like the head of 
a small pin, on the top of the slender egg-stalk. 
The eggs are laid on twigs, or trunks of trees, or leaves, or any¬ 
where apparently where Aphides which the grub will feed on, are to 
be found. These Aphis-Lion grubs or maggots are generally much 
