286 



THE STUDY OF INSECTS. 



The Bad-wing, Dyspteris abortivaria (Dys'pte-ris a-bor. 

 ti-va'ri-a). — It is easy to recognize this moth (Fig. 340) by 



the peculiar shape of its wings, the 

 hind wings being greatly reduced in 

 size. It is of a beautiful pea-green 

 color, with two white bands on the 

 fore wings and one on the hind 

 wings. Its color has led to its being 

 placed heretofore in the Geometridae ; 



Fig. 340.- Dyspteris abortivaria. but the Structure of its willgS shoWS 



it to be an Hydriomenid. The larva feeds on the leaves of 

 grape, which it rolls. 



Family STERRHID/E (Ster'rhi-dae). 



The SterrJiids {Ster'rhids). 



The members of this family are most easily recognized 

 by the venation of the ni 3 m 



hind wings (Fig. 341). In 



these veins II and III co- X ]//Y^^'^ \ 



alesce for a short distance 

 near the beginning of the 

 second fourth of the dis- 

 cal cell and then diverge 

 rapidly. The greater 

 number of our common 

 species are of medium 

 size, with whitish wings 

 crossed by from two to 

 four indistinct lines, and 

 with the head black in 

 front ; some are pure 

 white, and others are 

 brown marked with red- 

 dish lines. About one 

 hundred species have 

 been found in this country. F|G . 34I ._ Wings of Synelys ennuclta ta. 



