MEAL-MOTHS AND PEARL-MOTHS. 



489 



are simply pale-brown. The elongated and odd-looking larva 

 of this species is sho^vn at Fig. 2 of the same Plate. Its 

 proper food is the common stinging-nettle. 



Next come the Pyralides, which some authors class with 

 the preceding insects. They include, among other insects, the 



s 



1. Hypena rostralis. 

 4. Ennychia octomaculalis. 



2. Pyralis farinalis. 3. Aglofsa pinguinali^. 



a. Larva of Hydrocampa stagnalis. b. Do.' iu its leaf -case. 



Meal-Moths, and the beautiful group of Pearl-Moths, so called 

 because the surface of their wings has a peculiar sheen, much 

 resembling that of mother-of-pearl. 



We will begin with the small group scientifically called 

 Pulverulentse, and popularly Meal-Moths, because their larvae 

 feed on meal, flour, and similar food. I have often wondered 

 what such larvae fed upon before men discovered the cultivation 

 of corn, and tlie process of grinding it into flour. They must 



