Chalcosiidae 



These soldier-like files are formed by worms in black and 

 yellow uniforms which produce a moth popularly known as 

 the American Procris. 

 The eggs from which 

 they hatch are laid in 

 small clusters on the 

 under side of the leaves, 

 and while the worms 

 are small, they leave un- 

 touched the most deli- 

 cate veins of the leaf, 

 which then presents the 

 appearance of fine net- 

 work, as shown in the 

 right of the figure (211); 

 but when they become 

 older and stronger they 

 devour all but the larger 

 ribs, as shown at the 

 left of the figure. . . . 

 When full grown 

 these worms disperse over the vines or forsake them entirely, 

 and each spins for itself a small, tough, whitish, flattened cocoon, 

 within which, in about three days, it changes to a chrysalis, three 

 tenths of an inch long, broad, flattened, and of a light shining 

 yellowish-brown color. In about ten days afterwards the moths 

 begin to issue." 



The insect is double-brooded. It is common in the Appala- 

 chian subregion, ranging from the Atlantic to the borders of the 

 Great Plains in the West. 



Fio. 211. 



- Ifarrisina aiuericana. 

 (.\fter Riley.) 



Larvae. 



FAMILY CHALCOSIID/E 



" Daughters of the air." — Dk La Fontaine. 



This family is represented in our fauna by but a single insect, 

 belonging to the genus Gingla, established by Walker. It is an 

 obscure little moth known as Gingla laterculae Dyar. Its habi- 

 tat is Arizona. 



373 



