LEPIDOPTERA 



191 



THE MOTHS 



There are thousands of species of moths many of which are commonly 

 known as millers. Most of them are nocturnal in their activities and 

 frequently come to lights in large numbers. When the individuals are at 

 rest the wings are nearly always either wrapped around the body, or are 

 spread horizontally, or are folded roof-like on the abdomen. Although 

 the antennas are of various forms, they are usually thread-like or feather- 

 like and only rarely are they enlarged at the tip. 



Suborder JUGATE 



The Jugate Lepidoptera 



The American representatives of this suborder are rare moths, which 

 the student beginning the study of insects is not likely to meet. They 

 can be easily recognized by the peculiar structure of the hind wings, 

 which resemble the fore wings in form and in venation (Fig. 331). Inall 

 other Lepidoptera, the two pairs of wings differ in form, and the hind 

 wings are furnished with fewer veins than are the fore wings. 



Fig. 331. — Wings of Micropteryx. 



The most important character of the suborder, and the one to which 

 its name refers, is the organ which aids in holding the two wings of each 

 side together. There projects backward from the inner margin of the 

 fore wing near its base a small lobe (Fig. 331, /), which extends, under or 

 over the costal margin of the hind wing; while the greater part of the 

 inner margin of the fore wing overlaps the hind wing. This arrangement 

 assures the acting together of the two wings, at least in the downward 

 stroke. 



This projecting lobe in its typical form is named the jugum or yoke; 

 and the moths possessing this projection are termed the Jugatae or the 

 Jugate Lepidoptera. 



The suborder Jugatas, as now more commonly limited, includes several 

 families, representatives of three of which have been found in America; 

 these are the Micropterygidae. the Eriocraniidae, and the Hepialidas. 



