Lacewing Flies
These are frequently called Golden-eyes (Chrysopa vulgaris, &c.). They belong to the Neuroptera. The flies have usually slender bodies, and rather large, delicate wings, reaching from 1in. to 1 3/4in. in their span. The whole insect is usually green, varying in depth, often tinted with yellow; the eyes are very brilliant, resembling small golden-yellow beads. The eggs are attached, by means of long hair-like stalks, to a branch, many near one another, and have more than once been mistaken for the fruits of a moss. The larvae are 1/2in. long, oval in form, and depressed, and have strong jaws, six jointed legs, and hairs along the sides of the body. They live on Aphides, sucking their victims dry, and casting away the skins. These insects have a most unpleasant smell; hence they are often known as Stink Flies. An allied genus, Hemerobius, includes several species, similar in form to Chrysopa, but smaller, seldom exceeding 1in. in span of wings, and with the body and wings of a brown or grey colour. It is like Chrysopa in feeding, while young, on Aphides, but the larvae clothe themselves with the skins of the Aphides killed by them. Both genera are rather common.