HOW TO KNOW THE IMMATURE INSECTS 



57b. Segments with 2 or 3 obscure annulets; prolegs widely separated. 

 Fig. 487 Family BOMBYCIDAE 



The Chinese silkworm, Bombyx 

 mori L. is an important beneficial in- 

 sect which has been domesticated 

 for more than 2,000 years. It was 

 estimated about 70 million pounds 

 of raw silk are produced each year. 



Fig. 487. Chinese silkworm, Bom- 

 byx mori L. 



58a. Head elevated, triangular (Lapara) Family SPHINGIDAE 



58b. Head not so 59 



59a. Crochets on prolegs forming on ellipse, at most narrowly inter- 

 rupted. Fig. 488 Family HESPERIIDAE 



About 3,000 species have been de- 

 scribed. The head of the caterpillars is 

 much larger than its prothorax which 

 forms a narrow "neck" and makes 

 them readily recognized. Its body is 

 widest at middle and tapering toward 

 both ends. They live exposed on plants 

 or within rolled and webbed leaves. 

 They feed chiefly on cereals and grass- 

 es. The adults are known as skippers. 



Fig. 488. Eporgyreus tityrus Fab. 



59b. Crochets arranged in one band, 

 rarely forming 2 separated bonds. 



occasionally interrupted. 



or 

 ,60 



60a. Bands of crochets on prolegs reduced or interrupted at middls 

 and with a narrow spatulate, freshly lobe arising near the inter- 

 ruption. Fig. 489 Family LYCAENIDAE 



The caterpillars are largely phytophagous and of- 

 ten found on leguminous plants. Some are predaci- 

 ous and feed on scale-insects and other homopterous 

 nymphs. A few are myrmecophilous. The body is 

 short and broad, slug-like and the head is smaller 

 and narrower than the body. 



Fjg. 489. Lycoe- 

 nid larva. 



60b. Prolegs with band of crochets continuous, without a fleshy lobe 

 near the middle 61 



171 



