May says no, indeed; that has ugly brown wings.
But look again, May. See how these wings are veined, and do you not remember how you admired the silvery wings of the corydalus when we spread them out?
Yes, it belongs to the same order as the corydalus.
The name of the insect order to which they both belong is Neuroptera, from neuron, a nerve, and pteron—who remembers what pteron means?
What does that mean?
It means that the wings are crossed by many nerves or veins. Yes, that is what gives them their lacelike appearance.
Pretty golden eye, why do we not oftener see you on the trees and bushes? It is only by accident we found you to-day, down in the grass.
The truth is, this pretty fairy hides by day and comes out at night to lay its eggs. Like the May fly, the adult lacewing does not eat. It is a helpless little beauty, though it has one powerful means of defence, as you will discover if you touch it.
Ah, yes; you have already detected it! It gives forth such an offensive odor that nothing, one should think, could have the hardihood to eat it.