82
THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
Kestrel. Falco tinnunculus tinnunculus (L.).
Common Buzzard. Buteo buteo buteo (L.).
Common Heron. Ardea cinerea cinerea (L.).
Mallard. Anas platyrhyncha platyrhyncha (L.).
Wood-Pigeon. Columba palumbus palumbus (L.).
Stock-Dove. Columba trims (L.).
Peewit. Vanellus vanellus (L.).
Moor-Hen. Gallinula chloropus chloropus (L.).
Pheasant. Phasianus colchicus (L.).
Common Partridge. Perdix perdix perdix (L.).
THE BRITISH SNAKE-FLIES (RAPHIDIA).
By EDGAR E. SYMS, F.E.S.
(With One Plate and Four Text Figures.)
[Read 29th November, 1930.]
THE Neuroptera are represented in Britain by insects that
pass under the popular names of Alderflies, Snake-flies
Dusty-wings and Lace-wings. The Scorpion-flies, that used
to be included, are now by common consent removed to form
a new order, the Mecoptera. Some authors consider that the
Alder-flies and Snake-flies should also be removed from the
Neuroptera and form the order Megaloptera, others that the
Snake-flies are sufficiently distinct to form a new order by them-
selves. Nevas, the Spanish entomologist, has named this order
the Rhaphidioptera. Wherever they are placed they are
sufficiently distinct not to be confused with any other insects.
The popular name of Snake-flies is well given, for both as larva
and imago they have a terrifying appearance that is not easily
forgotten.
The Raphidiae are not very numerous, but are widely
distributed throughout the world; Australia and New Zealand
seem to be the only places from which they have not been
reported. In Britain only four species are known.
The family has been divided into two sub-families, those
that possess ocelli (Raphidiae) and those without (Inocelli);
the four British species all possess ocelli and belong therefore to
the Raphidiae.