INSECTS. 



Butterflies and Moths. 



B- 



Last, and in structure the most differentiated of all the in- »me 



the moths and butterflies; the Lepicloptera of science. This name Lepi- 



doptera — means scaly-winged, and alludes to the fact that the wings are 

 covered with minute scales, laid like the shingles on a roof. If we handle 

 one of these insects, these scales are rubbed off, and cover the fingers with 

 a powder, in reality the scales themselves. The colors of moths and but- 

 terflies are frequently very bright ; but they are due not to the general 

 integument, but rather to these scales; and the beautiful patterns existing 

 on some of these insects are to be regarded as mosaics, scales of differenl 

 colors producing the effect in exactly the same way that the Florentine 

 artist does with his bits of stone. 



The metamorphosis of the Lepidoptera are 'complete'; that is. the 

 larval, pupal, and perfect stages are all distinct. The larva, or caterpillar, 

 almost invariably is a vegetable feeder, and is provided with strong jaws 

 for gnawing the leaves or stems of plants. The pupa, or chrysalis, is inca- 

 pable of locomotion, while the adult with its strong wings completes the 

 cycle. In the adult there are no strong jaws; but instead, all the mouth 

 parts are fused into a long tube adapted for reaching the bottom of the 

 flowers and sucking up the nectar secreted there. This tube is sometimes 

 of enormous length, and when not in use is coiled under the head like a 

 watch-spring : in Figure 275 it is shown partially uncoiled. 



There are many differences between moths and butterflies; but we 

 need mention only a few of the most apparent. In the moths the 

 antennae are either feathery or hair-like; while in the butterflies they 

 terminate in a hook or knot; when at rest the moths hold their wings 

 flat, while the butterflies fold them vertically over the back; lastly, the 

 butterflies fly by day, while most of the moths keep themselves concealed 

 until the shades of evening, when they 

 appear in large numbers, and are at- 

 tracted by every light. 



When the word ' moth ' is men- 

 tioned, every good housewife at once 

 recalls the small insect which makes 

 life a burden, — the clothes-moth or 



carnpt-moth a<* it is varinnslv rprmpf] Fig. 258. — Clothes-moth, with enlarged views 

 utrpei mom, as re is vanousrv leimeu. ^ (b) pupa and (c) paparCa8( 



It is a small, inconspicuous insect, not stated ^ the tibres o£ the fabr " 



r larva feeds. 



a third of an inch long, dull yellow in 



color, which flies about in the early evening in the most ivating 



Now it is perfectly visible ; but the moment one tries to catch 



