1014 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 59 



their I'eediiig life. Some species are leaf-skeletonizei's for the first two or more 

 instars and then either feed from the edge or eat holes in the leaf. The great 

 majority of species are edge feeders. In some groups, as the JSTematinae and 

 Hoplocampinse, the larvce cling to the edge of the leaf with the thoracic legs 

 and with the abdomen lying against the edge of the leaf, but free. There are 

 exceptions even in these subfamilies, for some of the species cling to the upper 

 or lower surface of the leaf, as Pteronus tlioracicus, which feeds stretched out 

 flat on the upper surface and holds itself in place with the thoracic legs. The 

 Emphytinge and Selandrinse rest stretched out flat on the under surface and feed 

 at the edge or eat holes in the leaf. Some of the species of these subfamilies 

 throughout their feeding period and others as they approach the end of their 

 feeding period curl themselves up into a ring or helix-like and cling to the under 

 surface of the leaf with their thoracic legs. The Phyllotominge are leaf-skele- 

 tonizers throughout their feeding period and feed from the under surface. They 

 remove only the lower parenchyma. Most Cladiinae are also leaf-skeletonizers, 

 but they remove everything but the larger veins. The Pamphiliidae feed both 

 solitarily and gregariously. The solitary feeders roll the edge of a leaf, tying 

 the folds together with silk, forming a case open at each end, in which they live 

 and feed upon the edge of the leaf. The gregarious feeders tie several leaves 

 together with silk, forming an irregular nest and feed upon the enclosed leaves. 

 The larvae of this family are the only members of the superfamily that spin silk 

 other than for the formation of the cocoon, that occur in the United States or 

 Canada. The larvae of Cimhex and Tricliiosoma cling to the dorsal surface of 

 the leaf with their thoracic legs and feed on the edge of the leaf; when not feeding 

 they rest with the body curled helix-like. The members of the subfamily Lophy- 

 rinse feed on various species of conifers; they clasp the needles between the 

 thoracic legs and feed at the free end. The larvae feed on the needles until only 

 short stubs are left and then migrate to others, so that, while the eggs are placed 

 singly or only a few in a needle, they become gregarious in the latter part of 

 their feeding period from the consumption of the greater part of the needles on 

 the branch. Some species will feed only on the needles of the year old growth, 

 others are indiscriminate, feeding either on the new or the old growth. None 

 of the larvae of the Dolerinae have been absolutely identified for the American 

 species. What are believed to be larvae of this subfamily are grass and sedge feeders. 

 They usually occur singly or several individuals on the same stem, clasping it >vith 

 their thoracic and abdominal legs. The Acordulecerina^ feed only on the under- 

 surface. They are gregarious, arrange themselves in a file along one side or across 

 the end of the leaf and feed toward the stem, leaving intact the larger veins, 

 so that the tip looks badly frayed. The frayed leaves seen commonly in July 

 and August, on oaks is the work of the larvae of this subfamily. The species 

 that I have studied are double brooded. The Scolioneurinae and Fenusina? are 

 leaf-miners and feed in blotch-mines in the leaf. 



The larvae that cling to the edge of the leaf with the thoracic legs are rarely 

 easily jarred from the host plant. The same is true of a number of those species 

 that have the thoracic legs well developed and cling to the surface of the leaf. 

 The larvffi of the Emphytina^ and Selandriinae are very easily disturbed. It is 

 impossible many times to turn over a leaf containing a larva in order to examine 

 it without its dropping to the ground and coiling itself up into a ball that is 

 usually difficult to locate. The larvae of Macrophya and Tenthredo also have, this 

 same habit. The most sensitive larva that I have examined is one that is found 



