HARMFUL INSECTS 129 
The larve of this and other Dragon-fiies live in the pools 
over which the insects afterwards hover. ‘They are, as a 
rule, dull coloured, and resemble the dusky vegetation on 
which they live. Like the fully developed insect, they are 
extremely voracious, and, although sluggish in movement, 
are able to capture the most agile insects, by means of a 
strong labium (or modification of the lower lip), which is 
furnished with powerful claws, and can be stretched out or 
folded away as occasion requires. There is no pupa, or 
resting stage, in the life-history of a Dragon-fly. The wings 
and other organs of the insect develop gradually, until at 
length the larva creeps out of the water, grasps some 
object, and rests until it is dry. It then casts its larval 
skin, and in a few hours changes into a swift aerial creature 
“innocent and gay to look at, but as hungry and cruel as 
the larva from which it comes.” | 
Pupils will notice the three-fold division of the body ; 
the six legs carried by the thorax, the long abdomen, the 
large and prominent eyes, and the huge jaws. 
Uses. The larve prey on the larve of other insects— 
notably on those of the Mosquito—and as the Dragon-fly 
itself lives mainly on Mosquito:s and small flies, its use 
both in the larval and winged stages, in destroying insect 
pests, 1s at once apparent. 
Another useful insect is the |.adybird, which both as 
adult and larva feeds upon A})!):ds and other destructive 
forms of insect life. 
VIL—HARMFU!, INSECTS. 
The Codlin Moth. The ‘ odlin Moth is one of the 
most formidable of orchard pes: It is not so very many 
years ago since it first found it. “ay to this colony—since 
I 
