322 MEAL MOTH — DESCRIPTION OF. 



colored, appearing as though denuded of their scales. Commonly a dull tawny yel- 

 low spot beyond the centre of the wing is more or less distinct, and sometimes 

 there is a band of the same color on the hind margin, which is broader towards the 

 outer edge. Their tips are rounded and the hind margin is cut off obliquely and 

 feebly rounded. The hind wings are white and slightly glossy, with a pale leaden 

 blue reflection, their hind edge and tips pale brown. They have a long silky 

 whitish fringe, which is longer on the inner margin, and shows a more pure white 

 band on its base. The body is of the same blackish gray color with the fore wings, 

 often varied with tawny yellow or reddish upon the neck and the hind part of the 

 thorax. Beneath it is of the same color as above, the wings being pale leaden, 

 the lustre of satin, the hind pair paler. The shanks of the hind pair of legs are 

 thickened and robust. The antenme are without any hairiness; they taper slightly, 

 and are about two-thirds the length of the body. The feelers are longer than the 

 head and are held horizontally forward, forming, in connection with a small tuft of 

 hairs projecting forward from the face between their upper edges, a conical beak. 

 Their apical joint is distinctly exposed, small, twice as long as broad, and is oval 

 or slightly thicker towards its base. The spiral tongue is long, and when alive the 

 abdomen extends to the tips of the closed wings. 



