LEPIDOPTERA 197 



and other trees. It is supposed that the species requires three years to 

 complete its transformations. It is found from the Atlantic Coast to 

 California. 



The lesser oak carpenter-worm, Prionoxystus macmurtrei. — This is 

 a slightly smaller species than the preceding. The larva bores in the 

 trunks of oak in the East. The moth has thin, slightly transparent 

 wings, which are crossed by numerous black lines. The male is much 

 smaller than that of P. robinice, and lacks the yellow spot on the hind 

 wings. 



The leopard-moth, Zeuzera pyrina. — This species is white, spotted 

 with numerous small, black spots, which suggested its common name. 

 The adult has a wing-expanse of from i| to 2 inches. It is a European 

 species, which was first observed in the vicinity of New York City in 

 1882; since that time it has spread to other parts of the East. The 

 larva is a very injurious borer in many species of trees and shrubs. The 

 young larvae bore in the small twigs; later they migrate to larger limbs 

 or to the trunk. 



Family Pyromorphid^e 

 The Smoky-moths 



There are but few insects in our country pertaining to this family; 

 only fifteen species are now recognized, but these represent six genera. 

 These are small moths, which are chiefly of a smoky-black color; some 

 are marked with brighter colors; the wings are thinly scaled; and the 

 maxillae are well developed. The larvae are clothed with tufted hair; 

 they have five pairs of prolegs, which are provided with normal hooks. 



The grape-leaf skeletonizer, Harrtstna americdna, is a well-known 

 member of this family which is widely distributed throughout the eastern 

 United States from New England to Florida and 

 westward to Missouri and Arizona. 



The wings of this moth are long and narrow 

 (Fig. 338) ; the abdomen- is long, and widened 

 towards the caudal end. It is greenish -black in 

 color, with the prothorax reddish-orange. The 

 larva feeds on the leaves of grape and of the Vir- . fig. 338. — Harrisina amer- 

 ginia creeper. An entire brood of these larvae will 



feed side by side on a single leaf while young. This species rarely be- 

 comes of economic importance. 



Family Megalopygid^; 



The Flannel-moths 



In this family the wings are heavily and loosely scaled, and mixed 

 with the scales are long, curly hairs; these give the wings the appear- 

 ance of bits of flannel. It is this that suggested the common name of 

 these moths. The body is stout and clothed with long hairs. In these 

 moths the maxillae are vestigial. The larvae are remarkable for the pos- 

 session of seven pairs of prolegs ; these are borne by abdominal segments 

 2 to 7 and 10; but those of segments 2 and 7 are without hooks. The 



