PyraJidae 



VIII. There are represented in our fauna over sixty genera and 

 more than two hundred species. We can give our readers 

 merely a glimpse into this corner of the field, but trust that what 

 they shall see may impel them to undertake for themselves the 

 pleasant task of diligent exploration, assuring them that they will 

 find here a world of wonders with which to deal. 



Genus ACROBASIS Zeller 



(i) Acrobasis betulella Hulst, Plate XLVIII, Fig. 15, $. 



This is a common species, ranging from New England to 

 Colorado. There are nearly a dozen other species of the genus 

 known to occur in our fauna, and no doubt many more which 

 have not yet been discovered and described. 



Genus MINEOLA Hulst 



(1) Mineola juglandis Le Baron. (The Walnut Case-bearer.) 



This little moth lives in its larval stage upon the leaves of 



the hickory and walnut. It has the habit of drawing together 



two of the opposite leaves 

 attached to the long peti- 

 ole, and between them it 

 builds a case, which is 

 quite straight and is com- 

 posed of silk, attached to 

 which is excrementitious 

 matter, which is neatly 

 and closely applied to 

 the whole. In this case 

 the larva lives until the 

 cooler airs of autumn 

 warn it to leave the 

 petiole of the compound 

 leaf, which will fall pres- 

 ently, and it then anchors its little case to the twig near by, anc 

 in a half-grown state prepares for the cold winds and icy tem- 

 perature of winter. When again spring sends the sap up the 

 branches, and the leaves begin to unfold, it cuts the bands of silk 

 which held the case in place, and completing its development 



408 



Fig. 227. M. juglandis. a, case woven 



between leaves ; b, case ; c, e, wing of M. indi- 



genella and variety ; d, wing of AI. juglandis. 

 (After Riley.) 



