INSECTS. 133 



which, however, is one of great interest to the entomologist. 

 The individuals composing it are short-lived, diminutive 

 in size, not exceeding a quarter of an inch, and pass the 

 early stages of their existence as parasites in the bodies 

 of Bees and Wasps, especially in those of different species of 

 solitary bees. With this brief notice of their existence, we 

 proceed to the numerous families of Butterflies and Moths, 

 composing the order 



LEPIDOPTERA.* 



V 



Fig. 116. PEACOCK BUTTERFLY. 



The wings are four in number, large, extended, covered on 

 both sides with minute scales, overlapping each other like the 

 slates on the roof of a house; and on their removal showing 

 that the wing itself is membranous. There is a pretty little 

 Moth (Fig. 117), by no means rare in some parts of Ireland, 

 which might, at first sight, appear to have a greater number 

 of wings ; but they are regarded as four wings only, cut into 

 a number of longitudinal or feather-shaped pieces, so as to 

 resemble a plume or fan. 



The mouth of the Lepidoptera differs much from that of 

 any of the insects we have hitherto been considering. The 

 powerful jaws have disappeared, and instead of them we find 

 a slender- tubular apparatus, which is carried about coiled up 



* " Scale-winged." The wings being covered with fine scales, re- 

 Bcmbling the most delicate feathers. About 450 Irish species are known. 



