LEPIDOPTERA 



629 



The oak-coccid blastobasid, Zenodochium coccivorella. — The larva 

 is an internal parasite in the gall-like females of the coccid genus 

 Kermes. I found it common at Cedar Keys, Fla. 



Fig. 771. — Wings of Holcocera. (After Forbes.) 



Family COSMOPTERYGID^ 



The moths grouped together in this family vary greatly in 

 structure. The fore wings are lanceolate, sometimes caudate, i. e. with 

 the apex greatly prolonged. Vein ist A arises out of vein 2d A or is 

 lost. The hind wings are lanceolate or linear. Vein Ri is occasionally 

 separate from vein Sc. Veins Rs and Mi are close together. 



The following species will serve as examples of members of this 

 family. 



The palmetto-leaf miner, Homaledra sahalella. — This species oc- 

 curs only in the South where the saw-paknetto grows; but it is of 

 general interest as illustrating a peculiar type of larval habit. The 

 larvce can hardly be said to be leaf -miners ; for they feed upon the 

 upper surface of the leaf, destroying the skin as well as the fleshy part 

 of the leaf. They are social, working together in small companies, 

 and make a nest consisting oE a delicate sheet of silk covering that 

 part of the leaf upon which they are feeding; this sheet is covered 

 with what appears like sawdust, but which is really a mass of the 

 droppings of the larvae (Fig. 772). The full-grown larva attains a 

 length of 12 mm. The pupa state is passed within the nest made by 

 the larvae. The moth expands 15 mm. Its general color is a delicate 

 silvery gray, with a tinge of lavender in some individuals. 



The cat -tail moth, Lymncscia phragmitella.' — The larva of this 

 species feeds in the heads of cat -tail, Typha. It winters in the head, 

 which presents a tattered and frayed appearance. The larvae spin 

 an abundance of silk, thereby tying the down or pappus together and 



