LEPIDOPTERA. 195 



of the hairs of the larva, which are fastened together with a 

 fine web of silk. 



In the pupae of Lepidoptera the developing wings and 

 legs are folded upon the sides and breast ; the whole being 

 enclosed in a hard skin (Fig. 

 236). 



The members of this order 

 as a rule feed upon plants, and 

 are not aquatic ; some, as the 

 Clothes-moth and the species 

 that destroy Scale-bugs, feed FlG - ^.-Pupa of a moth, 



on animal matter, and. a very few feed upon plants below 

 the surface of the water. 



More than six thousand species of Lepidoptera are 

 known to occur in America, north of Mexico. These rep- 

 resent more than sixty families. 



In order to give a synopsis of the Lepidoptera it is 

 necessary to enter into rather difficult technical details. 

 Hence this is done in that portion of this chapter designed 

 for advanced students and printed in fine type. The prin- 

 cipal divisions of the Lepidoptera that are appropriately 

 discussed here are three : the moths, the skippers, and the 

 butterflies : 



The Moths. These are the insects commonly called 

 millers. Most of the species fly by night and are frequently 

 attracted to lights. When at rest the wings are either 

 wrapped around the body, or are spread horizontally, or are 

 folded roof-like on the abdomen ; they are not held in a 

 vertical position above the body. The antennae of moths 

 are of various forms ; they are usually thread-like or feather- 

 like ; only in rare cases are they enlarged towards the tip. 

 The moths include all but the last six families of Lepidop- 

 tera. 



The Skippers. The skippers are so called on account of 

 their peculiar mode of flight. They fly in the daytime and 

 dart suddenly from place to place. When at rest they 



