1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 35 



ELEMENTARY ENTOMOLOGY. 



LEPIDOPTERA-HETEROCERA (Moths). 

 By Prof. John B. Smith, New Brunswick, N. J. 



All the Heterocera are commonly termed moths, and moths as 

 distinguished from butterflies rarely have a distincdy clubbed an- 

 tennae, and do not usually carry the wings upright, the upper 

 surfaces opposed, when at rest. In some of our Geometridae the 

 wings are sometimes carried butterfly fashion, but here there is 

 no trace of a club to the antennae, and where the antennae might 

 be called clavate, the posture of the wings is distinctly decum- 

 bent. The term " heterocera" means variously horned, and, in- 

 deed, all kinds of variation in antennal structure is found in the 

 series, save that in American forms there is no distinctly clavate 

 type represented. The terms expressive of antennal modifica- 

 tions are best explained when the necessity for their use arises. 



Perhaps the most important character for the higher divisions 

 is found in the venation, and under our present system a know- 

 ledge of this is absolutely essential to a proper understanding of 

 relationships, or to enable an insect to be referred to its proper 

 family. Experience brings a certain knowledge of superficial 

 appearances which serves to place most specimens, but even ex- 

 perienced lepidopterists have been not infrequently misled by 

 trusting too much to such appearances. Wings can be prepared 

 for the study of venation in various ways. On larger moths a 

 deft operator can remove enough of the scales with a camel's-hair 

 brush to enable him to make out the course of all veins readily. 

 Smaller moths, where the wings are for temporary use only, can 

 be soaked for a few minutes in carbolic acid, which will render all 

 but the veins transparent. The wings may be afterward thrown 

 away or mounted in balsam without further preparation. Where 

 permanent specimens are desired the wings are first placed in 

 alcohol a few moments to extract grease, then placed in a satu- 

 rated solution of chloride of lime until all color disappears. They 

 are then washed in clean water, dried, and are ready to mount 

 on cards with gum, on slides with balsam, or in any other way 

 fancy dictates. Where rapid bleaching is desired, a drop or two 

 of hydrochloric acid to the chloride of lime solution will liberate 

 chlorine gas and cause an almost instantaneous bleaching. It 

 will also cause an odor that will drive well disposed persons out 



