INTEODUCTION. 



THE order Lepidoptera, which includes all those insects commonly known as Moths 

 and Butterflies, is chiefly distinguished by its members possessing four wings clothed with 

 numerous minute scales, the term Lepidoptera being derived from the two Greek words, 

 XSTTI'C, a scale, and irripov, a wing. The mouth of these insects is suctorial, the maxillae 

 forming a spiral proboscis which is coiled up between the large labial palpi when not in 

 use (see Plate I., tigs. 5 and 6). The other oral organs are rudimentary. To acquire 

 this form these insects pass through three very distinct stages, viz., the Egg, the Larva, 

 and the Pupa. 



I. METAMORPHOSIS. 



THE EGG. 



The eggs of Lepidoptera are generally somewhat globular, much flattened above 

 and beneath. Some are very elaborately sculptured, whilst others are quite smooth. 

 They are usually white or yellowish, but always change much in colour as the 

 contained embryo develops. 



THE LAEVA. 



The larvae of moths and butterflies are popularly known as caterpillars. They 

 always consist of thirteen segments, segment number one being the head. The 

 head is furnished with several simple eyes (Plate I., fig. 2, AA), a pair of very short 

 antenme (BB), and a very powerful masticatory mouth. The mouth consists of the 

 following organs : The labrum, or upper lip (1) ; a pair of mandibles, or upper jaws, 

 working like scissor-blades (2, 2) ; two maxillae, or lower jaws (3, 3), each carrying a 

 jointed organ termed the maxillary palpus ; and the labium, or lower lip (4) ; which 

 bears another pair of minute jointed appendages the labial palpi. 



Segments 2, 3, and 4, which answer to the thorax of the perfect insect, are each 

 furnished with a pair of legs. They consist of the six following joints (fig. 2) : (a) coxa, 

 (6) trochanter, (c) femur, (r7) tibia, (e) tarsus, and (/) claw. These legs correspond to 

 those of the perfect insect. The remaining nine segments of the body constitute the 

 abdomen. Usually segments 7 to 9 and 13, each have a pair of fleshy pads, which are 

 termed prolegs and are furnished on their edges with a row of minute booklets (see 

 Plate I., fig. 14, proleg highly magnified). It is these booklets which enable caterpillars 

 to hold on by means of their prolegs with such great tenacity. The number of the 

 prolegs varies considerably in different groups and families. 



The spiracles, or orifices of the air-tubes, are situated on each side of the larva just 

 above the legs. They are usually present on segments 2 and 5 to 12, but vary consider- 



