The Life History of Climacia areolaris (Hagen), a Neuropterous 'Parasite' of Fresh Water Sponges

Abstract

Climacia areolaris is an insect belonging to the Family Sisyridae, of the Order Neuroptera. The larvae of all known metmbers of this family occur as parasites upon fresh water sponges of the Family Spongillidae, Order Demospongiae, hence the common name applied to the sisyrids by Needham-spongilla flies. (However, the larvae may be found, at times, upon bryozoans or algae.) According to the present scheme of classification and state of knowledge, there are but two representatives of the family which normally occur in temperate North America: Climacia areolaris (Hagen), and Sisyra vicaria Walker. Both of these species are widely distributed in the United States, occurring from the Gulf of Mexico to Canada, and from the Atlantic coast at least as far west as New Mexico (*Carpenter, 1940). In the region where the present work was carried on both species occur.