80 A BOOK OF INSECTS 



wings arc not united in any way. Further, the antennae 

 of butterflies are more or less clubbed at the tip, while 

 those of moths, despite their great diversity of form, 

 usually terminate in a point. In a general way, there- 

 fore, we may say that a scale- winged insect with clubbed 

 antennae, but without a frenulum, is a " butterfly," while 

 all others are " moths." The order Lepidoptera has been 

 divided into many families, only a few of which can be 

 mentioned. 



The Micropterygidce form the lowest family of moths, 

 with striking affinities to the caddis flies. They are very 

 small insects, and differ from all other Lepidoptera in 

 their imperfectly suctorial mouth-parts. Small mandibles 

 are recognisable, while in the pupa these jaws are large, 

 and serve to bite a way out of the cocoon. The cater- 

 pillars have eight pairs of prolegs, and feed in damp moss, 

 or mine into leaves. The well-known swift moths (Hcpid- 

 Ud(c) are likewise of lowly origin. Their mouth-parts are 

 greatly reduced, no food being taken in the perfect state. 

 The larvae burrow in the soil, and feed upon the roots of 

 plants. 



The day-flying moths known as burnets (Zygw?iidce) 

 have the wings joined by a frenulum, and a well-formed 

 sucking trunk. The larvae are stout and cylindrical, 

 usually with five pairs of prolegs, and feed openly upon 

 the leaves of plants. The larva constructs a strong, elon- 

 gate cocoon above ground, usually upon a grass stem. 



The Psychidce are a small family of moths whose 

 females are wingless and grub-like. The larvae make 

 portable cases, in which the adult females remain through- 

 out life. The males have well - developed wings and 

 antennae, and fly freely; but their mouth-parts are 

 functionless. 



The Cossidce are rather large moths with abortive 



