THE PTEROPHORID^E OF NORTH 

 AMERICA. 



The species of moths taken up in this work are known by the 

 common names of plume-moths and feather-wings. They have 

 been studied but very little, and our knowledge of the early stages 

 and habits of a large proportion of our native American species is 

 very imperfect, but it is hoped that our entomologists will give 

 more attention to them hereafter. 



GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 



The Pterophoridae are distributed very widely over the globe, 

 but appear to be most numerous in the temperate regions, par- 

 ticularly in Europe, North America and Australia ; yet, when 

 other parts of the globe have been as carefully explored, it is 

 probable that many additional species will be discovered, and that 

 they may be more evenly distributed than at present appears to be 

 the case. 



GEOLOGICAL DISTRIBUTION. 



I am indebted to Mr. S. H. Scudder, our highest authority on 

 fossil insects, for the information that no Pterophoridae have yet 

 been recognized among the fossils, not even in amber. 



ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. 



A few species of the Pterophoridae are injurious to plants of 

 economic importance, and the larvae of several others feed on 

 plants raised for ornamental purposes or for flowers. 



NATURAL ENEMIES. 



While it is probable that the species of this family are preyed 

 upon not only by insect enemies but also by birds, yet I have 

 been able to find but few recorded observations with regard to 

 them. Ashmead has described Pimpla pterophori and Limneria 

 pterophorce from Pterophorids in California, and the latter species 

 has also been taken in Texas. Prof. Kellicott bred Ichneumon 

 humilis Prov. from Platyptilia carduidactyla. 



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