290 COMMON BRITISH MOTHS 



CHAPTER XXI 

 THE MICEO-LEPIDOPTEEA 



THE butterflies, and all the moths contained in the groups of the 

 last four chapters, are commonly spoken of as constituting the 

 Macro-lepidoptera ; but in addition to these there are many hun- 

 dreds of small British moths that represent what is known as the 

 Micro - lepidop tera. 



It is not usual for young entomologists to have much to do with 

 the ' Micros ' until they have had a little practical experience with 

 the larger species ; in fact, a good number of them never seem to 

 extend their knowledge beyond the limits of the ' Macros ' except that 

 they may make an occasional capture of a Micro that happens to fly 

 across their path. 



Now, since it would be practically impossible to deal fairly, even 

 in outline, with both these divisions of the Lepidoptera in a work 

 of the present dimensions, I have devoted most space to the larger 

 species so as to meet the probable requirements of the majority of 

 my readers. But in order that the beginner may also have the 

 means of introducing himself intelligently to a study of the ' Micros,' 

 I shall set apart this chapter for a simple account of the broad 

 principles of their classification, illustrated by means of a few 

 types, so that the collector may at least know something of the 

 insects he captures, even though he may not be able at once to fix 

 on their names. 



The young entomologist, thus provided with the broad features 

 that enable him to roughly classify the specimens which reach his 

 cabinet, may, as his store increases, pay an occasional visit to a 

 public museum or the private collection of an entomological friend, 

 and so obtain the names and other details he may require. 



The Micro-lepidoptera are divided into five main groups 

 Pyralides, Pterophori, Crambi, Tortrices, and Tinece, each of 



