2 9 4 



THE STUDY OF INSECTS. 



Only a few Noctuids have pectinate antennas, and these, 

 so far as they are known to the writer, lack ocelli. 



The venation of the wings of a member of this family is 



represented by Fig- 

 jii 4 ure 350. Vein V, of 

 s the fore wings arises 

 much nearer to vein 

 V 3 than to vein V, ; 

 there is usually an 

 accessory cell ; and 

 the anal vein may 

 be forked towards 

 the base or not. On 

 the hind wings veins 

 II and III usually 

 coalesce for a short 

 distance near the 

 base of the wing ; 

 vein V a may be either 

 well preserved or 

 much weaker than 



Fig. 350. — Wings of Agrotis ypsilon. 



the other veins ; and there is considerable variation in the 

 point of origin of this vein. 



In the typical Noctuids, the body is large in proportion 

 to the size of the wings; the front wings are strong, some- 

 what narrow, and elongated, the outer margin being shorter 

 than the inner margin ; and when at rest, the wings are 

 folded upon the abdomen, giving the insect a triangular out- 

 line. The antennae are thread-like, fringed with hairs, or 

 brush-like, rarely pectinate in the males. Two ocelli are al- 

 most always present. The labial palpi are well developed, 

 and in some species quite prominent. The maxillae are 

 quite long and stout in most species. The thorax is heavy 

 and stout. In some species the scales on the dorsal surface 

 of the thorax are turned up more or less, forming tufts. 



