340 



LEPIDOPTERA 



the way of improvement of classification. The progress made 

 has been limited to a better comprehension and definition of the 

 families. The nervuration of the wings is the character most 

 in vogue for this purpose. As regards the larger groups, and 

 Phylogeny, there is a general opinion prevalent to the effect that 

 Micropterygidae, Eriocephalidae and Hepialidae are in a com- 

 parati^-ely primitive condition, but as to the relations of these 

 families one with the other, or with other Lepidoptera, there is a 

 wide difference of opinion. 



The primary divisions of the family most often met with in 

 literature are : — either Ehopalocera ( = butterflies) and Hetero- 



FlG. 176. — Clubs of butterflies' 

 antennae. Terminal j^ortionsS 

 of antenna of, 1, Pieris bras- 

 sicae ; 2, Sf^/.c infernalis ; 3, 

 Hestia idea (sub-family Dan- 

 aides) ; 4, Eddartivs proteus^ 

 and 5, Limochores taumas 

 (Hesperiidae). (Alter Schatz 

 and Scudder.) 



H 



cera ( = moths) ; or Macrolepidoptera and Microlepidoptera ; 

 the Macr(jlepidoptera including the butterflies and large moths, 

 the Microlepidoptera being limited to the families Tineidae 

 (now itself in process of division into numerous families) and 

 Tortricidae ; some entomologists including also Pyralidae, Ptero- 

 phoridae and Orneodidae in Microlepidoptera. The division of all 

 Lepidoptera into two series is merely a temporary device necessi- 

 tated by imperfect acquaintance, with morphology. The division 

 into Macro- and Micro- lepidoptera is entirely unscientific. 



Series 1. Rhojjalncera or Butterflies. — Antennae knobbed at the tip or 

 lliickened a little before the tip, without pectinations, projecting 

 processes, or conspicuotis arrangements of cilia. Hind wings with- 

 out a frenulum, hut with the costal nervure strongly curved at the 

 base (Fig. 161, II, B). 



Series II. Heterucera or Moths. — Antennae various in form, onl}' rarely 

 knobbed at the tip, and in such cases a frenulum present. In the 

 large majority a frenulum is present, and the costal nervure of the 

 hind -wing is either but little arched at the base (as in Fig. 161, 

 I, B) or it has a large area between it and the front margin ; 

 but in certain families the hind wing is formed natch as in 

 Ehopalocera. 



