— 9— 



An Introduction to a Classification of the North American 



Lepidoptera. 



By John H. Smith. 



(Continued from K.\ r. Am., vol. I, p. 87.) 



In the last paper of this series the Sphingidce were treated of and a 

 synopsis of the genera was given. It has been usual to follow this family 

 with the Scsiidce, or /Egeriidce as some authors prefer to call them, and, 

 though recognizing no close relationship in any of its stages, with the 

 Sphingiche, I shall yet follow the general order here. 



The family SesiidcF is sharply defined, resembling somewhat in the 

 imago state the H}menoptera in the transparent wings and banded bright 

 maculation. 



In the early stages they resemble the CashiiidLP and Cossidce in so 

 far that the larvce are Endophydes, living in roots, stems or branches of 

 plants, and the pupae also have great resemblance to them. 



The antennoe are longer than half the length of primaries, gradually 

 variably thickened medially, more slender apicallv, the lip often with a 

 brush of hair ; rarely they are setaceous, in the (^ usually with brushes 

 of hair laterally, more rarely with lamelln.% or pectinations. 



Palpi well developed, ascending, joints variably proportioned. Eyes 

 naked. Ocelli present. Tongue variable, sometimes obsolete, often long 

 and corneous. Thora.x robust, closely scaled. Abdomen also closely 

 scaled, long, usually slender, rarely somewhat flattened, often tapering to 

 tip, usually with an anal tuft. In the (^ there are seven, in the 9 but 

 six abdominal segments. 



Legs strong, femora and tibia; densely scaled or hairy — usually the 

 anterior tibia much shorter than femora — middle tibite nearly equal to 

 femora and hind tibix much longer than femora. Median tibiae with 

 terminal spurs, posterior with middle and terminal spurs. 



Primaries narrow, elongate, with the internal vein wanting or form- 

 ing the internal margin — vein 5 often wanting. Secondaries with two, 

 rarely three internal veins, costal vein wanting or forming the costal 

 margin. (See Bull. B'klyn Ent. Soc, vok 7, pi. 3, f 21.) 



In habit the species are diurnal, flying about flowers during the 

 hottest sunshine. 



The European genera are few in number, and are separated In 

 Herrich-Schaffer as follows : 



Antennae without a pencil of hair at tip ; tongue short and weak. 



Antennae of rf with long ciliae beneath, veins 2-4 of secondaries separate 



Paranthrene. 

 Antennae of (^ bipectinate, veins 3 and 4 from the same stem Bembecia. 



