342 LEPIDOPTERA. 



TineidjE Leach. The Tineids are a family of great extent, 

 and the species are verj' destructive to vegetation, having in- 

 numerable modes of attack. They may be distinguished 

 from the Tortricidce b}' their smaller size, while the narrow 

 wings which lie on the top of, or are rolled around the body 

 when at rest, are often falcate, or pointed acutel}^, and edged 

 with a long fringe of exceeding delicacy. The maxillary palpi 

 are greatly developed, while the labial palpi are of the usual 

 size, and usually recurved in front of the head. The autennic are 

 long and liliform. The larvaj are C3dindrical, variously 

 wrinkled transversel}^, and Avith from fourteen to sixteen feet. 

 Tiiey often construct cases in which they live, and usually spin 

 a Slight silken cocoon. ii.bouc 1,200 species are aireadj'^ know n 

 in Europe alone. Those of this country have been mostly de- 

 scribed by Dr. Clemens. 



In studying this interesting family, Stainton remarks that 

 "the elongated wings, the slender body and the long or very 

 long fringes to the wings, are characters by which the Tineidae 

 may generally be recognized at once ; and the development of 

 the palpi and their variety in form and structure, otfer most 

 tangible gi'ounds for separating the greater number of the gen- 

 era. Indeed, if the student will look at the head of a species 

 to see whether it is hairy or smooth, if he will then notice the 

 palpi, whether the maxillary palpi are developed and to what 

 extent, and whether the labial palpi are slender, ascending or 

 drooping, whether the second joint is denseh' clothed with 

 scales, or bears a long protruding tuft, and if he will farther 

 notice the form of the hind Avings, which are either well rounded 

 or very pointed, or indented towards the tip, he Avill be per- 

 fectly surprised to see how easil3^ he will arrange these insects 

 into genera by their structure." 



The larvae a ar}- excessivelj^ in the number of legs, sixteen 

 being the usual number, but in scA^eral genera (Gracilaria, Lith- 

 ocoUetis, etc.), we onl}^ find fourteen; in Nepticula, though 

 the legs are but poorly developed, they number eighteen ; on the 

 other hand the larvae of a fcAV of the smaller genera (Antispila, 

 Tinagma, etc.) are absolutely footless. 



For collecting and preserA'ing these minute and delicate 

 moths, Avhich are called by collectors, micro-lepidoptera, especial 



