610 



AN INTRODUCTION TO ENTOMOLOGY 



Fig. 744. — Phobetron pithe- 

 cium, larva. (After 

 Dyar.) 



Prolimacddes hddia. — 



Fig. 745. — Prolima- 

 codes badia, larva. 



able appearance (Fig. 744). It bears nine pairs of fleshy appendages 

 which are covered with brown hairs. In the full-grown larva the 

 third, fifth, and seventh 

 pairs of appendages are 

 longest; these are twist- 

 ed up and back, and sug- 

 gest the disheveled locks 

 of a hag. This larva 

 feeds on various low 

 shrubs and the lower 

 branches of trees. At 

 the time of spinning, the 

 larva sheds the fleshy 

 processes, and they re- 

 main on the outside of 

 the cocoon. 



The skiff-caterpillar, 

 This remarkable larva (Fig. 745) is not un- 

 common on oak and other forest trees. It is pale apple-green, with 

 a chestnut-brown patch on its back. The moth 

 (Fig. 746) is light cinnamon-brown, with a 

 tan-brown triangular spot on each fore wing. 



Family EPIPYROPID^ Fig. ^G.-Prohma- 



codes badia. 



This family is represented in our fauna by a single rare species 

 which was found in New Mexico. Our species is Eptpyrops harheridna. 

 Another species, Eptpyrops anomala, has been described from China; 

 and larvse that are believed to belong to this genus have been found 

 in Central America. 



These insects are remarkable on account of the extraordinary 

 habits of the larvae, which are found firmly attached to living insects 

 of the family Fulgoridae. They are usually attached to the dorsal 

 surface of the abdomen beneath the wings of their host. The body 

 of the larva is covered with a cottony coat, causing it to resemble a 

 Coccus. It is supposed that these larvs feed on waxy matter excreted 

 by the fulgorids. 



For a detailed account of our species, see Dyar ('02). 



THE SPECIALIZED MICROFRENAT^ 



In the "Synopsis of the Lepidoptera" given on pages 581 to 584 

 I have grouped together under the heading "Specialized Microfren- 

 atas" twenty-six families of moths, which are more highly specialized 

 than are the preceding families, and which as a rule are composed of 

 small insects. 



This group of families includes most of those families that were 

 formerly classed together as the Microlepidoptera ; but later studies 

 have resulted in the removal from the old group Microlepidoptera of 



