CHAPTER VIII 



The Butterflies and Moths 



The great order of insects to which the butterflies and 

 moths belong is called Lepidoptera, a word meaning scale- 

 winged. This name was given to the group because each 

 of the beautiful wings with their varied colors and markings 

 is composed of a thin membrane, to which are attached 



vast numbers of tiny scales over- 

 lapping one another, much like the 

 shingles of a house. The insects 

 of this order have sucking mouth 

 parts and two pairs of wings. The 

 transformations are complete. The 

 period of growth and feeding is 

 that of the larva or caterpillar, the 

 adults eating only the nectar of 

 flowers or similar substances, or, 

 in some cases, taking no food at 

 all. 



This order includes a large num- 

 ber of species, varying greatly in 

 size and habits. Some of the moths 

 are so tiny as to be barely visible 

 to the unaided eye, while others are so large and conspic- 

 uous as to attract attention at considerable distances. By 

 far the largest proportion of the species feed in the larval 

 state upon the tissues of plants, and consequently a great 

 many injurious insects are found in the order. 



96 



Promethea Moth Cocoon 



