OPHIDERIN/E. 163 



Of these Families that of the Lagopteridtz is the largest and 

 most important, including more species than all the rest 

 together. Families A., B. and C. are represented in Europe 

 by a very few species. 



FAMILY OPHIDERID^E. 



The Ophiderida are large and usually brightly-coloured 

 moths, with stout antennae, and long, obliquely-ascending, palpi, 

 with the third joint often spatulate. The proboscis is short, 

 but very strong, and the thorax and the base of the abdomen 

 are pilose, but not crested. The wings are long and thick, 

 with pointed fore-wings tufted with hair at the base, and 

 dentated hind-wings. They may be divided into two well- 

 marked Sub-families. 



SUB-FAMILY I. OPHIDERIN^E. 



These are moths with brown or green fore-wings, marked 

 with distinct lines, and with the inner margin projecting near 

 the base and at the hinder angle, and deeply concave between. 

 The hind-wings are yellow or orange, with black marginal and 

 central markings. 



The larvae are stout and naked, with the first pair of pro-legs 

 rudimentary. They are frequently humped, and are not unlike 

 those of Notodontida, a family to which the shape of the fore- 

 wings gives the moths some resemblance. The pupa is formed 

 between leaves. 



This Sub-family is not very numerous in species, but is fairly 

 well represented in the tropics of both hemispheres. They 

 are very destructive to oranges in Australia, by sucking the 

 juice with their proboscis, though it is perhaps not quite 

 positively ascertained whether they actually puncture the fruit, 

 as has been asserted, or whether they only avail themselves of 



M2 



