262 



THE STUDY OF INSECTS. 



The Squash-vine Borer, Melittia ceto (Me-lit'ti-a ce'to). 

 The larva of this species (Fig. 307) does great damage by 

 eating the interior of squash-vines. In some places it is 



FIG. 307. Melittia ceto, larva in squash-vine. 



almost impossible to raise squashes on account of its rav- 

 ages. The fore wines of the adult are covered with scales, 



O c> 



and the hind legs are fringed with long orange-colored scales. 



Family DIOPTID^: (Di-op'ti-dae). 

 The Dioptids (Di-op'tids). 



This family is represented in our fauna by a single known 

 species, Phryganidia californica (Phryg-a-nid'i-a cal-i-for'- 



FIG. 308. Pliryganidia californica. 



ni-ca), which occurs in Califor- 

 nia. This is a pale-brown 

 insect, with nearly transparent 

 wings (Fig. 308). The veins 

 of the wings are dark, which 

 renders them prominent. In 

 the males there is a yellowish 



FIG. 309. Wings of Phryganidia. 



spot just beyond the discal cell. The venation of the wings 



