340 



LEPIDOPTERA 



CHAP. 



the way of improvement of classification. The progress made 

 has been limited to a better comprehension and definition of the 

 families. The nervuratioii of the wings is the character most 

 in vogue for this purpose. As regards the larger groups, and 

 Phylogeiiy, there is a general opinion prevalent to the effect that 

 Micropterygidae, Eriocephaliclae and Hepialidae are in a com- 

 paratively primitive condition, but as to the relations of these 

 families one with the other, or with other Lepidoptera, there is a 

 wide difference of opinion. 



The primary divisions of the family most often met with in 

 literature are : either Rhopalocera ( = butterflies) and Hetero- 



FIG. 176. Clubs of butterflies' 

 antennae. Terminal portions 

 of antenna of, 1, Pier is bras- 

 sicae ; 2, Styx infernalis ; 3, 

 Hestia idea (sub-family Dan- 

 aides) ; 4, EiHliiiiinx jn-iiti'iix, 

 and 5, Limochdres taumas 

 (Hesperiidae). (After Schatz 

 and Scudder.) 



cera ( = moths) ; or Macrolepidoptera and Microlepidoptera ; 

 the Macrolepidoptera including the butterflies and large moths, 

 the Microlepidoptera being limited to the families Tineidae 

 (now itself in process of division into numerous families) and 

 Tortricidae ; some entomologists including also Pyralidae, Ptero- 

 phoridae and Orneodidae in Microlepidoptera. The division of all 

 Lepidoptera into two series is merely a temporary device necessi- 

 tated by imperfect acquaintance with morphology. The division 

 into Macro- and Micro- lepidoptera is entirely unscientific. 



Series 1. Rhopalocera or Butterflies. Antennae knobbed at the tip or 

 thickened a little before the tip, without pectinations, projecting 

 processes, or conspicuous arrangements of cilia. Hind wings with- 

 out a frenulum, but with the costal nervure strongly curved at the 

 base (Fig. 161, II, B). 



Series II. Heterocera or Moths. Antennae various in form, only rarely 

 knobbed at the tip, and in such cases a frenulum present. In the 

 large majority a frenulum is present, and the costal nervure of the 

 hind-wing is either but little arched at the base (as in Fig. 161, 

 I, B) or it has a large area between it and the front margin ; 

 but in certain families the hind wing is formed much as in 

 Ehopalocera. 



