288 



CHAPTER YII. 



LEPIDOPTERA— BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS.^ 



This order is subdivided into Rhopahncra or buttertlies, and 

 Ileterocera, or moths. The former are distinguished from the 

 latter by the possession of somewhat rigid slender antennae, 

 Avhich are clubbed or knobbed at the tip ; and by the absence 

 of a frenulum or bristle attached to the base of the hind-wings 

 and passing through a loop or rctmaculum at the base of the 

 fore-wings. In the moths the antennae are usually flexible, 

 seldom rigid, and are at most thickened towards the apex with 

 no well-defined club; they usually possess a frenulum. 



Butterflies are of slender build, they fly by day and are often 

 gaily coloured. 



They are of no importance in Europe from a forest point of 

 view, although the larva of Pieria erataefii, L., does much 

 damage on the Continent to the foliage and inflorescence-buds 

 of orchard trees, as well as species of Sorbus and Crataegus. 



Heterocera. Moths. 

 Family 1. — Sksiiuak. 

 Description of Famih/. 

 Diurnal moths which fly rapidly in hot sunshine. Antennae 

 fusiform ; 2 ocelli. Proboscis sometimes rudimentary. Wings 

 narrow, more or less hyaline, and resembling those of Hymeno- 

 ptera ; frenulum present. Body stout. 

 Generation, 1 to 2 years. 



Caterpillars cylindrical, yellowish white, with fine scattered 

 hairs ; 5 pairs of prolegs ; head and prothoracic shield horny, 

 and usually dark coloured. 



* Thu must c()ini>rciicusivc\vuik on tlic Britishspcfics of l.cijiiluptera is '-The 

 Lcpulopteni of the British Jsles," by C. G. iJarrclt, I.oiulon, 18i)2. 



