LEPIDOPTERA. 



This is the order of the moths and the butterflies. 

 Both of the divisions are characterized by the presence 

 of scales on the front and hind wings and on the body as 

 well. These scales are modified hairs; indeed, on some 

 parts of the body of most members of the order, there are 

 to be found hairs, either simple or branched, along with 

 the scales. The color and arrangement of these scales 

 and hairs are so constant that they constitute a basis of 

 classification for many species of moths and butterflies. 

 (Fig. 51.) A very few exceptional species are wingless as to 

 the females, and a few species with clear wings look very 

 much like bees. But if one is fortunate enough to find one 

 of the clear- wings when it has just come out of the pupal 

 case, he will find its wings 

 quite plentifully provided 

 with scales; these readily 

 wear off. Indeed, in any of 

 the order, the old insect pre- 

 sents a bedraggled appear- 

 ance, many of the beautiful 

 scales having been worn off FlG - si.-Portion of wing of lepi- 



... dopter, snowing scales and scale pits. 



in its struggles with hard 



winds or bird enemies, or perchance some cat or dog chas- 

 ing it. The venation of the wings is constant, and the 

 modifications from the type are so slight that venation con- 

 stitutes another basis of classification. (Fig. 52 A and B.) 

 A characteristic which serves to separate this order 

 from all other orders of insects is the highly modified con- 



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