30 



Classification 



As no extensive classification of the Lepidoptera based on pupal 

 characters has been attempted hitherto, little has been done to deter- 

 mine what characters are of value in defining superfamilies, families, 

 and genera. It has been necessary, therefore, to base specific, generic, 

 and other distinctions on those characters found in such material as 

 could be secured. The present investigation has been limited by the 

 difficulty in obtaining representatives of many groups, and it is not 

 expected that the tables and descriptions given will do more than 

 furnish a basis for later work upon the subject. It is hoped, however, 

 that they will call the attention of entomologists to the vast possibili- 

 ties opened up by the use of the taxonomic characters available in 

 pupae, and that further studies of the different groups will make it 

 possible to identify an insect in one more stage of its life cycle — which 

 can not fail to be of importance in the case of our economic species. 



Analytical Table of Superfamilies 



a. Mandibles present, large, functional, decussating, and extending be- 

 yond the lateral margins of the body. MICROPTERYGOIDEA 



aa. Mandibles, if present, never large, parallel or subparallel, and 

 usually represented by small elevated tubercles. 



b. Movable abdominal segments present cephalad of the fourth, or if 

 no segments are movable cephalad of the fourth then the ap- 

 pendages free from each other and never soldered to the body 

 wall, and the vertex longer than the pro.thorax measured on the 

 meson. 



c. True maxillary palpi never present, but sometimes lateral exten- 

 sions of the maxillae (Figs. 15 and 19). 



d. Body heavily chitinized and bearing transverse rows of spines 

 or setae on the abdominal segments; spiracles never visible 

 on the first abdominal segment. 



^t> j 



e. Mesothorax never more than twice the length of the meta- 

 thorax; seventh abdominal segment with a large flanged 

 plate on the ventral surface ; antennae filiform, short, only 

 reaching caudad to the proximal end of the mesothoracic 

 legs; head sutures all present except the clypeo-labral. 



IIEPIALOIDEA. 



ee. Mesothorax always more than twice the length of the 

 metathorax ; seventh abdominal segment never with a large 



