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CHAPTER VII. 



LEPIDOPTEBA BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS.* 



THIS order is subdivided into Rhopalocera or butterflies, and 

 Heterocera, or moths. The former are distinguished from the 

 latter by the possession of somewhat rigid slender antennae, 

 which are clubbed or knobbed at the tip ; and by the absence 

 of a frenulum or bristle attached to the base of the hind-wings 

 and passing through a loop or retinaculum at the base of the 

 fore-wings. In the moths the antennae are usually flexible, 

 seldom rigid, and are at most thickened towards the apex with 

 no well-defined club; they usually possess & frenulum. 



Butterflies are of slender build, they fly by day and are often 

 gaily coloured. 



They are of no importance in Europe from a forest point of 

 view, although the larva of Pieris crataegi, L., does much 

 damage on the Continent to the foliage and inflorescence-buds 

 of orchard trees, as well as species of Sorbus and Crataeyus. 



Heterocera. Moths. 



FAMILY I. SESIIDAE. 



Description of Family. 



Diurnal moths which fly rapidly in hot sunshine. Antennae 

 fusiform ; 2 ocelli. Proboscis sometimes rudimentary. Wings 

 narrow, more or less hyaline, and resembling those of Hymeno- 

 ptera ; frenulum present. Body stout. 



Generation, 1 to 2 years. 



Caterpillars cylindrical, yellowish white, with fine scattered 

 hairs ; 5 pairs of prolegs ; head and prothoracic shield horny, 

 and usually dark coloured. 



* The most comprehensive work on the British species of Lepidoptera is "The 

 Lepidoptera of the British Isles," by C. G. Barrett, London, 1892. 



