706 



AN INTRODUCTION TO ENTOMOLGOY 

 Family EUCHROMIID^ 



The family SyntomidcB of various lists. 



These moths are most easily distinguished from the alHed famiHes 

 that are represented in this country by the structure of the hind 



wings (Fig. 897); in these 

 the subcosta is apparently 

 absent except at the base of 

 the wing, where it is sepa- 

 rate from radius for a short 

 distance. Occasionally 

 forms are found in which 

 the tip of subcosta is sepa- 

 rated from radius. In some 

 of the more specialized 

 forms, the hind wings are 

 greatly reduced in size and 

 the venation is reduced. 



Among the better- 

 known representatives of 

 this family are a small num- 

 ber of bluish-black or brown 

 moths which have more or 

 less vermilion or yellow on 

 the head, prothorax, and 

 patagia. These moths are 

 of mediiim size, expanding 

 from 30 to 50 mm. The dull 

 color of the wings is usually 



Fig. 897. — Wings of Ctenucha virginica. 



relieved by the bright color of the head and patagia; and by a layer 

 of blue scales covering the thorax and abdomen ; but in some species 

 these are wanting. The larv« feed on grasses. Some of them strongly 



Fig. 898. — Ctenucha virginica. 



Fig. 899. — Scepsis julvicoUis. 



resemble those of the Arctiidas in appearance as well as in habits, being 

 thickly clothed with hair; they also spin cocoons similar to those of 

 arctiids. Our common forms of this group represent two genera, 

 Ctenucha and Scepsis. In the East we have only a single species of 



