LEPIDOPTERA 



33 



Syrphidae, the syrphus flies. The larvse of some species are pre- 

 daceous on noxious insects. 



(Estridae, the botflies. The larva are notorious parasites in mam- 

 mals. 



Muscidse, a very large family including the common house fly. 



Tachinidae, the tachina flies. The larvae often beneficial because 

 attacking noxious insects. 



Anthomyiidae, including the root maggots. 



A special interest attaches to this order because several of its mem- 

 bers have been directly connected with the transmission of serious 

 human diseases, as discussed in a later chapter. 



Lepidoptera 



The insects included within this order are the moths, the skippers, 

 and the butterflies. The main characteristic of the order is the fact 

 that the wings and body are covered with minute scales, which are 

 arranged in definite patterns and 

 often give to the wings beautiful 

 and elaborate colors. 



In all Lepidoptera there is com- 

 plete metamorphosis. The larva 

 is commonly known as a cater- 

 pillar, or simply as a " worm," 

 the latter term more frequently 

 attached to larvae that are not 

 covered with hairs. Thus, on the 

 one hand, we speak of the cabbage 

 worm and the canker worm, on 

 the other the tent caterpillar and 

 the yellow-necked caterpillar. The 

 larvae have three pairs of legs 

 near the front end of the body, a single pair of legs or claspers at 

 the hind end, and usually two to four pairs of fleshy prolegs between. 



All adults in the order Lepidoptera have four wings, except in cer- 

 tain species where the wings are entirely lacking. The mouth parts 



Fig. 32. — Scales from the wing of a 

 butterfly, Pontia. Enlarged. Orig- 

 inal. 



