LEPIDOPTERA 649 



Elophila fulicdlis was found by Lloyd ('14) to live beneath sheets of 

 silk spun over exposed surfaces of current-swept rocks, in a rapid 

 stream. 



In the case of several species whose life-history has been deter- 

 mined the pupal stadium is passed in a cocoon beneath the surface 

 of the water. 



An exception to the usual habits of larv^ of this subfamily is 

 presented by Eurrhypara urticdta, introduced from Europe to Nova 

 Scotia; this species is not aquatic, but feeds on nettle. 



Subfamily PYRALIDIN^ 



The Typical Pyralids 



This is a small subfamily ; only twenty-four species are now enu- 

 merated in our lists, and these are mainly from the far Southwest. 

 The best-known species are the two following : 



The meal snout -moth, Pyralis farindlis . — The larva of this species 

 feeds on meal, flour, stored grain, and old clover hay. It makes little 

 tubes composed partly of silk and partly of the fragments of its food. 

 It rarely occurs in sufficient numbers to do serious injury; and its 

 ravages can be checked by a thorough cleaning of the infested places, 

 or when practicable by the use of carbon bisulphide. The moth is 

 commonly found near the food of the larva, but is often seen on 

 ceilings of rooms sitting with its tail curved over its back. It expands 

 about 2 5 mm. ; the fore wings are light-brown, crossed by two curved 

 white lines, and with a dark chocolate-brown spot on the base and 

 tip of each. 



The clover-hay worm, Hypsopygia costdlis. — The larva of this 

 species sometimes abounds in old stacks of clover-hay, and especially 

 near the bottom of such stacks. As the infested 

 hay becomes covered with a silken web spun by the 

 larva, and by its gunpowder-like excrement, much 

 more is spoiled than is eaten by the insect. Such hay 

 is useless and should be burned, in order to destroy 

 the insects. The moth expands about 20 mm. It is -pig. ■]()().— Hy- 

 a beautiful lilac color, with golden bands and fringes p s p y gi a 

 (Fig. 796). costalis. 



Subfamily CRAMBIN2E 



The Close-wings 



Although this is not a large subfamily, there being only about one 

 hundred and thirty species known in our fauna, the members of it 

 are more often seen than any other pyralids. The larvae of most of 

 the species feed on grass; and the adults fly up before us whenever we 

 walk through meadows or pastures. When at rest, the moths wrap 

 their wings closely about the body ; this has suggested the name close- 



