Phalaenae, Moths. 



The large division of Lepidoptera called Phalaenae, which name is completely s3'nonymous with 

 the designation «Het erocera->, is not equivalent to the «Diuraa». The term Moths comprises far more 

 diverse elements, and a general characterisation is as difficult as it would be futile. Whereas all butterflies 

 have a well developed tongue, the mouth-parts of Heterocera are sometimes used as a sucking organ, some- 

 times they are unfitted for that purpose; they may be reduced to a very great extent or even be suitable 

 for biting. The antennae also exhibit all modifications imaginable, and the fore- and hindwings may have 

 ■ the strangest relative proportions, here the forewing being the main organ of flight and there the hindwing, 

 and both may be completely absent. The caterpillars too bear every conceivable kind of external covering, 

 the skin bearing warts, buttons, peg-like projections, thorns, brushes, filaments, pustules, wax-wool, spikes, 

 and even stinging organs. The number of feet also is different, varying from 3 pairs fit for crawling to 

 such perfection that almost the whole underside is modified into an organ of adhesion. Also in the meta- 

 morphosis we meet with great diflFerences; for instance, species are known which have a kind of pro- 

 chrysahs. In respect to all details we must therefore refer the reader to the characterisation of the various 

 subdivisions. 



I. Section: Bombyces. 



The Bombyces, which Linne put behind the Sphinges as a group equivalent to the latter, are closely 

 associated with the Hawkmoths in the arrangement of the present work. The Sphinges stand as a separate 

 family in between a number of different Bombycid families which, foUowing old custom, are here united 

 under the little suitable collective designation of Bombyces. However, it is not possible to arrange the 

 animals in such a way that they form a continuous line; and since we have nevertheless to deal with the 

 various species one after the other in a continuous series, unnatural separation of close allies is often un- 

 avoidable. We abstain also from giving a characterisation applying to all the families of Bombyces. — 

 The number of hitherto known forms is about 10000. They are distributed nearly over all the countries 

 inhabited by Lepidoptera, but do not extend so far north as the Butterflies. On remote islands the number 

 of endemic forms is mostly exceptionally small, as compared with that of the Diurna, Sphinges and Noctuae. 

 Tropical mountainous districts appear to be especially favourable for the development of a great variety 

 of forms of Bombyces. Though often incapable of taking nourishment from flowers, the Bombyces fly ac- 

 tively about — as a rule late at night — and nearly all the species come to the light. The organ of smell 

 is often more strongly developed in the cfcf of Bombycids than in any other group of Lepidoptera, the 

 distances from which they are able to find the ?? being often astonishing. — We must state, however, that 

 the group of «Bombyces» known as such to collectors since Lixxe's time has been adopted here only in 

 order to have a name comprehending all the Heterocera which do not belong to the Sphinges, Noctuids, 

 Geometrids and Micros. — Seitz. 



1. Family: Zygaenidae. 



First (anterior) submedian vein present in both wings;*) forewing without areole. Frenulum and 

 retinaculum present. A more or less distinct vein in the cell, extending from the angle of the discocellulars 

 basad; costal vein of hindwing rarely anastomosed with the cell, mostly separate, parallel with the cell, and 

 connected with it by a short oblique bar (=SG') in or beyond middle. Ocelli usually present. Claws of 



') Some exotic forms excepted. 



