HOW TO KNOW THE INSEQS 



Fig. 185. Melittla satyrlnlformls 

 Hbn. The Squash-vine Borer 



Fore wings, thorax, and basal 

 segment of abdomen, dark metallic 

 green. The remainder of abdomen 

 and leg red, marked v/lth black. The 

 larvae bore In Joints of squash 

 vines, destroying them. Hind 

 wings clear. Expanse of wings 

 about 35 mm. (From U.S.D.A.) 



The clear wing moths are beautl- 

 Figure 185. f^l boo-llke Insocts that love 



the sunlight and fly rapidly by 

 day. The larvae do not have a 

 proper regard for man's possessions. They bore In many of his 

 trees and herbaceous plants, greatly to their hurt. Some Sphinx 

 moths have wings partly transparent and might erroneously be 

 placed here. 



8b Wings fully covered with scales. (If partly transparent the 

 antennae thicker near tip than at base) 9 



9a Rather small moths with wings split lengthwise, the borders 

 of these segments fringed with scales. (The Plume-moths) 



Fig. 186. Family 37, PTEROPHORIDAE 



Fig. 186. Oxyptllus perlscell - 

 dactylus Fitch. The Grape 

 Plume Moth. 



Yellowish brown marked with 

 whitish. Wing margins bordered 

 with fringe of whitish scales. 

 The caterpillars are greenish 

 with white hairs. Expanse of 

 wing 17-20 mm. 



These moths have their wings 

 split Into feather-like parts, 

 hence the name. The front wings 

 have two or three parts, the 

 hind wings being split Into 

 three or four parts. The "plumes" overlap when the moths are at 

 rest, giving them an odd appearance. The family Is a small one; 

 the moths are also small. 



9b V^ings not split 'engthwise 10 



10a Very small moths with narrow pointed wings; hind margins 

 of wings with wide fringe of scales, (The Tineids) Fig. 187. 



Family 62, TINEIDAE 



Fig. 187. Tinea pelllonella L. 



The Case-Making Clothes Moth, (a. 

 Adult Moth; b, larva In case; c, 

 larva . ) 



The head and fore wings buff or 

 grayish yellow; dimly spotted with 

 darker. Hind wings whitish. The 

 larva lives In clothing and furs 

 and weaves a case about Itself from 

 Figure 187. the chewlngs of the fabric on which 



It feeds. An Interesting experl- 



Figure 186, 



92 



