68 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March, 



normally long and slender, with two pairs of spurs. Then for 

 ornamentation the tufting is evolved, with the tibia correspond- 

 ingly developed at the expense of the spurs and tarsi. Soon the 

 eg becomes an appendage for ornamentation only, not for walk- 

 ing. But, not being used for walking, its muscular power fails, 

 without a recovery of its normal power, the other legs being 

 sufficient for that purpose. With the loss of muscular energy 

 the tufting vanishes, the tibia contracts and weakens, and the 

 whole leg becomes more and more rudimentary. 



The moths have a weak uncertain flight, rarely prolonged. 

 They are, as a rule, easily disturbed by day. They hide during 

 the hours of light underneath leaves and rubbish, or against the 

 bark of trees, which in coloration they much resemble. In re- 

 pose the wings lie flat, but generally partly spread. They are 

 most abundantly found among plants in rich dark woods, and in 

 damp swampy valleys. 



The eggs are generally oval, slightly flattened, and covered 

 with reticulated spaces. 



The larva are largely characteristic from their peculiar mode 

 of progression. One or more pairs of the abdominal legs are 

 wanting, and to move the hind part of the body is drawn for- 

 ward, curving up the central portion. They are consequently 

 called " loopers" or " measuring worms." In a few species the 

 first, or first two pairs of abdominal legs are wanting; in the great 

 majority the first three pairs are aborted. The two hind pairs 

 are correspondingly developed and muscular. 



The larva is generally naked, slender, cylindrical, rarely with 

 extended processes, but generally more or less roughened, mim- 

 icing in appearance hving or dead twigs, or the petioles of leaves. 

 They are generally nocturnal in habit, during the day descending 

 to the ground or sitting rigid upon their hind legs with the body 

 raised and extended in a nearly straight line. They spin a thread 

 of silk as they move along, and when disturbed are apt to drop 

 by this to the- ground. They areas a consequence easily col- 

 lected by beating bushes and plants over an umbrella. 



The larvae are often of economic importance, a few, such as 

 the canker worms, becoming pests in certain parts of the country. 



The pupa is generally slender, naked, and elongated; some- 

 times suspended by the extremity of the abdomen, and with a 

 girth of silk about the thorax, sometimes in a thin cocoon, and 

 sometimes it is subterranean. 



