THE INSECTS OF NEW JERSEY. 

 Family THYRID^E. 



515 



Small but stoutly built species with, small, short, more or less angu- 

 lated wings, which are black or brown in color, with white or yellow 

 semi-transparent spots. The antennae are thread-like or a little thick- 

 ened in the middle, and the moths fly about bare or sandy places early 

 in the spring. Little is known of the early stages and none are injurious. 



THYRIS III. 



T. maculata Harr. Throughout the State and locally common, V-VIII. 

 T. lugubris Bdv. Also g. d., IV-VII, and sometimes as abundant as the 

 preceding; in fact, it is the more usual in collections. 



DYSODIA Clem. (PLATYTHYRIS G. & R.) 



D. oculatana Clem. Delaware Water Gap (Pin); Plainfleld VII, 5 (Bz) ; 

 always rare. 



Family COSSID^E. 



These are large species somewhat resembling "hawk moths" in outline, 

 but with a very small head, weak, short palpi, and an obsolete tongue. 

 The antennas are also short and weak in proportion to the size of the in- 

 sects, though in the male they may be pectinated for at least part of the 

 distance. The legs are comparatively short and weak, and while the in- 

 sects seem robust enough, they yet give the idea of helplessness and 

 weakness, which is borne out by the feeble flight of the female. 



The larvae are borers, usually in heartwood, and sometimes do serious 

 injury to forest or shade trees. 



ZEUZERA Latr. 



Q, 



Fig. 219. The wood leopard moth, Zeuzera pyrina: a, b, larva from above and side; 

 c, male; d, female moth; e, gallery made by larva. 



