lOOG PROCEEDINGS OF THE THIRD ENTOMOLOGICAL MEETING 



by any Lepidoptera ; but the, males generally offer tangible sexiial 

 characters. Hence those who collect these insects should take care 

 to obtain good series of both sexes under the same circumstances to 

 ensure identification. Only a few species have been definitely ascertained 

 so far, for lack of adequate material. The main development of the 

 family is in America. The larvae feed on seeds and dry vegetable matter, 

 or on scale-insects, and may be of much economic importance. 



The Sojthriilw are represented by about 20 sjiecies of Sci/lhris ; 

 collection in open flowery spaces by sweeping-net would probably 

 largely increase these, especially perhaps in the Himalayas ; the larvae 

 usually feed on low plants. 



The ElacJiistidce are few in number at present, and although these 

 small and obscure insects (chiefly grass-feeders) are easily overlooked, 

 I think it probable that they are much less numerous here than in 

 Europe. 



The Hyponomeutidce have a general resemblance in character to 

 the QicophoridcE, but with shorter and simpler palpi, less specialized 

 neuration, and are distinguished by the presence of a stigmatium. I 

 have about 50 species. The gigantic speckled species of Nosymna, 

 the large spotted forms of Atteva and Ethnia, and the gaudy crimson 

 and yellow Anticrates would attract attention anywhere. The larvae 

 are mostly leaf-feederS, sometimes living gregariously in a web and 

 easy to observe ; that of Comocritis feeds on lichens and bark of trees ; 

 those of Argyresthia in shoots of trees. 



The Colcophoridfe are narrow-winged insects \isually recognisable 

 by the anteimae being held forward in repose. Only about a dozen 

 species are to hand at present, but none have yet been bred, and the 

 species of this family are notoriously very retired in the perfect state, 

 though often obtainable in abundance as larvae. The larvae are case- 

 feeders, either mining (from within the case) characteristic small blotches 

 in leaves, or often feeding on seedheads and flowers, when the case 

 (itself constructed of seed-husks) is hard to detect. I anticipate 

 however, that the family is here not very numerous ; it abo\inds in 

 Europe, and is common also in Africa and North America. 



The interesting family GracUariadce- contains delicate and elegant 

 insects, whose larvae are mostly leaf-miners.. Their peculiar habit 

 of resting with the forepart raised and the anterior legs rather widely 

 separated and displayed (Plate 167) usually causes them to be easily 

 recognisable, and the filiform porrected maxillary palpi are very 

 characteristic. I have about 150 species and fresh ones are being 

 continually discovered by rearing from the larva?, principally of the 



