LEPIDOPTERA OF NEW YORK AND NEIGHBORING STATES 81 



The egg is a minute oval body attached to the surface of the leaf 

 or bark by a minute, glistening speck of cement, which renders its 

 location visible even to the naked eye. 



The larva of Nepticula upon hatching eats directly into the leaf, 

 and makes a very narrow, linear mine (figs. 58 to 61), which is at first 

 often difficult to discern, since in its early stages, the larva consumes 

 but a small part of the leaf tissue. This mine may continue as a linear 

 mine, gradually broadening throughout its course, or it may at some 

 period abruptly enlarge into a blotch. In the latter parts the mine is 

 semitransparent and easily visible. The mine of any one species is very 

 constant and characteristic in appearance, and, in most instances, serves 

 for immediate identification of the species. The species of Ectredemia 

 are gall-producers or bark-miners in forest trees. 



The larva is slightly flattened, with the head deeply retracted into 

 the prothorax, due to the lengthening of the dorsal side of the head. 

 Locomotor organs are represented by mere roughened protuberances; 

 such rudimentary feet are present on segments three and four, on seg- 

 ments six to eleven, inclusive, and sometimes on the last segment in 

 Nepticula; in Ectredemia there are sometimes one or two additional 

 pairs of rudimentary processes. 



The cocoon is spun of dense brown or yellowish silk, flattened oval 

 in general outline, but usually broader at its anterior end, around 

 which a fissure extends, guarded by the smooth projecting edges of the 

 two halves of the cocoon. Through this fissure the pupa is thrust 

 at emergence. In some species, the flat, projecting edges form a rim 

 extending entirely around the cocoon. 



The pupa is flattened ovate; all the appendages are free and seg- 

 mented; and segments one to seven inclusive of the abdomen are free. 

 The pupa shows in some respects a resemblance to that of the primitive 

 Eriocraniidae. 



The moth is active almost immediately after emergence, running 

 rapidly up and down the sides of the breeding jar, and in an incredibly 

 short time has the full use of its wings. When at rest, the wings lie 

 almost horizontal, meeting in a line down the middle of the back. 



Key to the genera 

 (European genera in brackets) 

 A. RB of fore wing present. 



B. Media of fore wing with three branches (Scoliaulai. 

 BB. Media of fore wing with one or two branches. 

 C. Media of fore wing two-branched. 



D. Media of hind wing two-branched 1. Glaucolepis. 



DD. Media of hind wing single-branched 2. Obrussa. 



CC. Media of fore wing single-branched. 



D. Middle spurs of posterior tibia in or above the middle .... 4. Nepticula. 

 DD. Middle spurs of posterior tibiae below the middle 3. Ectoedemia. 



