468 SYNOPTIC COLLECTION. 



food is obtained by lapping. The fore wings are large, 

 while the hind wings are reduced in size, and there is a 

 corresponding reduction in the metathoracic segment. 

 The frenulum is now wholly lost, and the humeral angle 

 is large. Both pairs of wings are held in a drooping 

 position when the insect is resting. 



The remaining families of moths, skippers, and butter- 

 flies are grouped together as frenulum losers. In place 

 of the frenulum they have a greatly extended humeral 

 angle of the hind wings which passes under the fore wing, 

 as already stated, and ensures unity of action in the two 

 wings. 



The Saturniidae include some of our largest and most 

 beautiful moths, such as the Luna, Actias luna Linn., 

 (No. 1190). The great Cecropia, Samia cecropia Linn., 

 (Nos. 1191, 1192) suspends her cocoon (No. 1191) like 

 a cradle, while the Promethea moth, Callosamia promethea 

 Drury (Nos. 1193, 1194), hangs hers from a twig. 



Among the varied habits of larvae that of the apple- 

 tree tent caterpillar, Clisiocampa americana Harr. (No. 

 1195, eggs, larva, cocoon, pupa, moth) is interesting. 

 These social larvae spin a tent and live together in great 

 numbers. They leave the tent to feed but return to it 

 when satisfied. 



Urbiculae. The skippers resemble moths in certain 

 features, while in other respects they are like butter- 

 flies. The larvae have the general characters common 

 to both moths and butterflies, while they differ from 

 those of both groups by having a large prominent 

 head and a well developed prothorax (PL 1196, fig. i, 

 Epargyreus tityrus Fabr.). On the dorsal side of this 

 segment there is a horny shield. The pupae (fig. 2) are 

 rounded like those of moths and the pupal stage is passed 

 in a frail cocoon made of leaves lined thinly with silk 

 (fig. 2). This pupa, however, is not free within its 

 cocoon but is fastened by means of a hook or cremaster 

 at the posterior end of its body to a Y-shaped thread 



