152 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGISf. 



expense, it may be considered a certain remedy. On all small shade trees 

 it can be applied as readily as to orchard trees, and even on trees of con- 

 siderable height a good force pump vvill suffice to thoroughly sprinkle the 

 leaves. 



Hellebore is also very effective for these and other Saw-fly larvae, but 

 as it is no better than the preceding and much more expensive, there is no 

 need of considering it here. 



Arsetiic may be used in solution like London Purple, but must be 

 boiled to dissolve it. 



REMARKS ON THE FAMILY EOMBYCID/f^:. 



BY G. J. BOWLES, MONTREAL. 



In the American classification of the Lepidoptera, the Bombycidai 

 occupy a place between the Zygaenidaj and the Noctuid^e. They include 

 a large number of genera and species, and are well represented on this 

 continent. The principal characteristic of the family is that from which 

 it derives its name of Bombycidae, — or spinners. — the power the caterpillars 

 have of producing a silken fibre, which they use in spinning a cocoon in 

 which to pass the pupa stage of their existence. The Silk-worm moth, 

 Bonbyx mori, is the typical species of the family. Some genera, how- 

 ever, do not produce silk in any quantity. They are also remarkable as 

 a family for the imperfectly developed mouth parts in the perfect insect. 

 In nearly all of them the tongue is short, and in some species wanting, 

 and the other parts of the mouth so imperfect that it is not probable the 

 insects feed at all in the perfect state. 



As the family now stands in our classification, it not only comprises 

 genera and species of very dissimilar habits, but also includes insects of 

 many sizes, ranging from small to very large. The largest moths in 

 America belong to the Bombycidae. It also includes various forms, some 

 very low in the scale. The great majority of the larvas live on the leaves 

 of plants, principally of trees, but some are root feeders, and others bore 

 even into the solid wood. There are probably no other larvse that enjoy 

 such a range of food plants as some of the Bombycidte. To some species 

 almost anything in the shape of a green leaf is acceptable and nourishing 

 food, and they are consequently among the commonest of our moths. 

 Others again are restricted to a single plant. 



