jEGERIA. 285 



Larva vermiform, with sixteen legs, feeding in the stems 

 and roots of trees or low plants. 



This is a Family of somewhat doubtful position. It was 

 originally included among the Sphinges, on account of the 

 shape of the antennae ; but recent authors have been more 

 inclined to refer it to the neighbourhood of the Pyrales and 

 Tinea. Thus Dr. Butler has placed it in some of his works 

 between the Pyrales and the Crambi. Sir George Hampson 

 places it after the Cymatophorida (our Thyatirida), and 

 before the Tincegeriidce and Syntomiidcz (our Zyganince), 

 while Mr. Meyrick places it at the beginning of the Tineina. 

 Mr. Tutt divides the Tineites into three families : Timida^ 

 Psychida, and Sesiidce ; which are succeeded by the Co- 

 chliopodidce. 



These insects are most easily obtained by rearing, for on 

 the wing they are readily mistaken for Hymenoptera or Diptera. 

 Many species are now much less scarce in collections than 

 formerly, though some are still extremely rare. The commonest 

 is the Currant Clear-wing (Trochilium salmachus, Linn.), which 

 is often very destructive in gardens, and has now become 

 naturalised in most parts of the world. 



GENUS ^GERIA. 

 Trochilium^ pt. Scopoli, Intr. Hist. Nat. p. 414(1776); Oken, 



Naturg. Schul. p. 786 (1821); Stephens, 111. Brit. Ent. 



Haust. i. p. 137 (1828). 

 jEgeria, Fabricius in Illiger. Mag. Insekt. vi. p. 288 (1807) ; 



Leach, Edinb. Encycl. ix. p. 131 (1815). 

 Sphecia, Hiibner, Verz. bek. Schmett. p. 127 (1818?). 



These are stout-bodied moths, with thick yellow black- 

 belted bodies, and transparent wings, resembling wasps. They 

 are sluggish in their habits, and the abdomen is not tufted at 

 the extremity. 



