2 9 2 



THE STUDY OF INSECTS. 



The larvae are naked, 

 nil 



and 



long cross-vein (Fig. 349, c. z>.), so that the two appear to 

 separate before the end of the discal cell. In the males the 

 tip of the frenulum is knobbed. 



live upon the leaves of shrubs 

 and trees. They often con- 

 ceal themselves in a case, made 

 by loosely fastening together 

 leaves, or by folding a single 

 leaf. 



There are in our fauna rep- 

 resentatives of only four or 

 five genera belonging to this 

 family ; and the species that 

 are common hardly exceed 

 this number. 



One of the more common 

 species is Thyatira scripta 

 (Thy-a-ti'ra scrip'ta). This 



has faWtt-COlored front 



Vll, 



FIG. 349,-Wingsof Thyatirn scripta 



conspicuously marked with light bands and zigzag lines 

 ( Fl g- 348). According to Thaxter, it lays its eggs late in 

 July, in chains of five or six, on the leaves of raspberry, upon 

 which the larvae feed. The mature larva is rich yellow- 

 brown, often almost black, with a distinct dorsal black line. 

 The lateral portions are more yellow with blackish mottlings. 

 When at rest the larva either elevates the cephalic and caudal 

 ends of the body, like the Notodontids, so that the head 

 rests upon the caudal segments, or conceals itself in a case 

 formed by curling down the edge of a leaf. It makes a very 

 slight cocoon late in August. 



Another common species is Pseudothyatira cymatopho- 

 roides (Pseu-do-thy-a-ti'ra cym-a-toph-o-roi'des). This spe- 

 slightly larger than the preceding one, expanding 

 nearly two inches. The front wings are silky gray tinted 

 with rose. They are marked with a black spot at the base, 

 a double or triple line, forming a black band at the end of 



