LEPIDOPTERA OF NEW YORK AND NEIGHBORING STATES 521 



SUPERFAMILY PYRALIDOIDEA 



Slender, usually moderately small moths. Head prominent, usually 

 with ocelli; antennas almost always simple, ciliate, with two dorsal rows 

 of scales on each segment; the reticulation of the unsealed surface 

 usually (except Orneodes) forming hexagonal meshes. Male antennae 

 frequently with a process on the scape (Phycitinae, Epipaschiinae, 

 Omphalocera) or a notch and tuft on the shaft (Desmia) . Palpi usually 

 moderate or long, very often projecting beak-like (whence the name 

 ' ' snout-moths ' ' for the group ) ; much reduced in males of Galleriinae. 

 Tongue almost always scaled at base. Wings usually close-scaled, the 

 scales attached more firmly than in most of the lower families. Fore 

 wing varying from narrow to ample ; the discal cell always well-formed, 

 but accessory cell always absent. Cu apparently 4-"branched, base of 

 media lost; 1st A usually lost. Hind wing with Sc and R closely 

 parallel to beyond end of cell; often fused for a greater or less dis- 

 tance, Base of R often lost by atrophy, the tip of Sc very rarely lost, 

 leaving the basal part of Sc and the tip of R to form the most anterior 

 vein of the \ving. 1st A almost always preserved. Legs usually 

 long, sometimes extremely long. 



Eggs of flat type. Larva with prespiracular wart 'with only two 

 setas, except in the few forms \vith tufted hair. Setas iv and v approxi- 

 mate on abdomen, usually on the same tubercle. Barely with tufted 

 or secondary hair, and only in forms with round spiracles. Larvas of 

 almost all the species concealed feeders. Pupae obtect, with apex of 

 labrum bilobed (indicating the pilifers) ; '-aid antennae long, not swollen 

 outwardly. Eighth segment of abdomen free from seventh in males of 

 Pterophoridae only. 



This large group is formed mostly of the family Pyralididas. The 

 Pterophoridae are undoubtedly related, though more specialized in some 

 ways and more generalized in others. The Orneodidas are of doubtful 

 affinity, and are placed here mainly for convenience. 



Family 32. THYRIDID-flE 3 la 



(Thyridce; Sphingidce, in part, of the older authors) 



Ocelli absent ; eyes small ; tongue and labial palpi strong ; maxillary 

 palpi obsolete. Hind tibiae of male enlarged with a pencil of hair. 

 Fore wing with all veins present, in the northeastern species all aris- 

 ing separately from the cell, or with R, and R ;! very shortly stalked. 

 No distinct patch of spinuJes near base of inner margin ; 1st A abse t. 



The figures for this family are on page 333. 



