228 



THE STUDY OF INSECTS 



angle of the hind wings rarely reaching the end of the abdomen. In 

 their general appearance many of these mollis bear a strong resemblance 

 to noctuids. The venation of the wings is illustrated in Figure 397. 



id A 



■ Wings of Hyperaschra slragula. 



In some species the front wings have a prominence or backward 

 projecting lobe on the inner margin, which suggested the common name 

 of prominents for these insects (Fig. 398). The name is more generally 

 appropriate, however, for the larvae, as a much larger proportion of them 

 than of the adults bear striking prominences. 



The larvas feed upon the leaves of shrubs and trees. Our most com- 

 mon species live exposed; but some species live in folded leaves. They 

 are either naked or clothed with hairs. Many species have only four 

 well-developed pairs of prolegs, the anal pair being rudimentary, or trans- 

 formed into elongated spikes. Some species are hump-backed; and 

 spines or fleshy tubercles are often present. The transformations occur in 

 cocoons or in the ground. 



Fig. 398. — Pheosia rimosa. 



The family Notodontida: is represented in this country by about one 

 hundred species. 



