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CHAPTER VI. 



L E P I ] ) O V T ERA ( Moths). 



The Lepidoptera are undoubtedly the most favourite order of insects, 

 and, as far as ornament is concerned, they are the highest in the 

 insect world. The majority of entomologists begin their studies with 

 the Lepidoptera. They are very interesting in breeding, from the 

 larvae being associated with special food-plants, and more especially in 

 watching their development from the egg stage. 



As regards the association of this order with arboriculture, it is of 

 course obvious that it is somewhat difficult to know what species to 

 adopt or reject, inasmuch as some of the rarest species are exclusively 

 arboreal feeders, and on the other hand, some of the most direful forest 

 pests belonging to this order may only appear in certain localities at 

 very long intervals of years. Perhaps, therefore, the best method will 

 be to simply give the more general species, with as few details of 

 generic and specific characters as i)ossible, because the student will 

 find more available books on Lepidoptera, and probably more assist- 

 ance from local naturalists, than in any other order of insects. 



With reference to general characters, the Lepidoptera have four 

 wings ; body and wings covered with scales, which are usually varie- 

 gated in colour ; venation more or less straight and witliout cross 

 veins. Imago with mouth only fitted for sucking, which is situated, 

 at the extreme end of a long coiled proboscis, capable of protrusion. 

 The metamorphosis is complete, but abrupt ; the larva has a large 

 head and strong mandibles; the pupa often has the antennse ad- 

 pressed, and cemented to the body ; and the full development of the 

 moth takes place within the pupal case. 



The head is in a large part made up of the compound eyes, the 

 simple eyes or ocelli which are usually concealed by the antennae, and 

 the proboscis or trunk. 



