398 PYRALIDINA 



simple or rarely obsoletely furcate, 4 and 5 closely approximated 

 or rarely stalked, 7 separate. Hindwings without defined 

 pecten of hairs on lower margin of cell (but sometimes with 

 loose scattered hairs), 4 and 5 closely approximated or stalked, 

 7 rising out of 6 near origin, anastomosing with 8. 



This is an exceedingly large family, common in all parts of 

 the globe, but much more numerous within the tropics, where 

 it rivals the Plusiadae and Pajnlionina. Imago with forewings 

 distinctly triangular, not usually very elongate or narrow ; 

 neuration very uniform. The species mostly fly about sunset, 

 and are generally easily disturbed by day. 



Ovum more or less flattened -ovate, smooth or finely pitted 

 or reticulated. Larva rather slender, generally very shining 

 and translucent, with few hairs ; usually feeding in a slight web 

 or amongst spun leaves, occasionally in stems or roots, or 

 aquatic ; not unfrequently dead or decaying leaves are preferred 

 to fresh ones. Pupa usually in a cocoon above ground, some- 

 times subterranean. 



The diagram explains the phylogeny of the principal genera. 



Phylogeny of Pyravstidae. 



Acentropus Cataclysta 



I I 



Sctoenobius Nymphula 



Hydrocampa 



Diasemia Stenia Margaxonia 



[Ischnurges] Notarcha Plilyctaenia 



I ^1 I 



I 

 Pyrausta 



Loxostege Scoparia 



I 

 Evergestis 



Tabulation of Genera. 



1. Posterior tibiae in c^ with outer middle-spur rudi- 

 mentary . . 2. 

 „ „ „ outer middle -spur de- 

 veloped . . 3. 



