210 LLOYD'S NATURAL HISTORY. 



The larva is cylindrical, slightly tapering towards the ex 

 tremities. It is of a greyish sulphur-yellow, with the second 

 and last segments whitish-grey, with a dorsal band. The head 

 is small and black, and is often hidden by the first segment. 

 It feeds on various species of broom. 



The cocoon is pale yellow, and the pupa shining dark brown, 

 pointed behind. 



FAMILY XXIV. PSYCHID^. 



Eggs. — Small and rounded. 



Larva and Pupa. — Enclosed in variously formed cases resem- 

 bling those of Trichoptera (Caddis-flies). 



Imago. — Male generally of small size and dull uniform colora- 

 tion ; usually white, grey, brown, or black, with pectinated 

 antennae, and short rounded wings, with long fringes. Female 

 apterous, and in some genera destitute even of legs and an- 

 tennae ; in the latter condition, she is, of course, incapable 

 of even quitting her case. 



The males of the European species fly about among the 

 grass, like the Adsciti?ice^ Pyraustidce^ and other small day- 

 flying Moths which they resemble in their habits. They have 

 representatives in all parts of the world, but are perhaps most 

 numerous in Europe, India, and Australia. By some authors 

 they are regarded as a section of the Tinece. 



The European species are all very similar in shape and size, 

 and the largest scarcely measures an inch across ^he wings, the 

 majority being much smaller. The foreign species are, how- 

 ever, more varied in some respects, though always of very dull 

 colours. Two foreign species, one American, and one Austra- 

 lian, are figured on the accompanying page (p. 211) 



