CLASSIFICATION OF LEPIDOPTEBA. 109 



miids, Lymantriids and Papilionids, are modifications of one and the 

 same structure. 



If now we turn back to Dyar's group IV, the Noctuina (ante, p. 107), 

 and take the superfamilies with upright eggs therefrom, we have left 

 a series of families of which the Thyatiridae (Gymatophoridae), Geomet- 

 ridae and Drepanidae are the most important. These show also a 

 close alliance, not only inter se, but also with the Pyralids and 

 Crambids, since they possess essentially the same type of egg. 



Here, then, is clearly a dichotomous division in Dyar's Noctuina, 

 one branch showing relationship with his Micro-lepidoptera through 

 the Cossids, the other through the Pyralids. Below these super- 

 families (Cossids and Pyralids), however, the egg proves of very little 

 value, but other characters of the larva, pupa, and imaginal neuration 

 show that these Micro-lepidoptera belong to one or other of the 

 main stirpes above indicated. Dyar's Noctuina (specialised), and 

 Micro-lepidoptera (generalised), therefore, divide into the two 

 following groups : — 



I. The Noctuo-Hepialid stirps. — Hepialides, Zeuzeripes, Tortricides, 

 Cossides (generalised superfamilies), leading up to : (1) Notodontides, Noctdides, 

 Nycteolides, Arctiides (with the Lithosiids), Lyjiantriides. (2) Castniides, 

 Hesperiides, Papilionides (the specialised superfamilies). 



II. The Geometro-Eriocraniid stirps. — Eriocraniides, Adelides, Tineides, 

 etc. (generalised superfamilies), leading up to Brephides, Cymatophorides 

 (Thyatirides),Drepanulides (PLATYPTERYGiDEs),and Geometrides (the specialised 

 superfamilies). 



This arrangement practically absorbs three of Dyar's main divisions, 

 leaving only the Anthrocerina, Bombycina and Sphingina. It is very 

 evident here, from an examination of the eggs, that these all belong to 

 one stirps, and that Dyar has rightly diagnosed and divided these, his 

 Anthrocerina representing the generalised, and his Bombycina and 

 Sphingina two specialised, branches of the same stirps. The latter 

 works out thus : — 



III. — The Sphingo-Micropterygid stirps. — Micropterygides, Nepticulides, 

 Eucleides, Megalopygides, Heterogynides, Anthrocerides, Psychides, Ptero- 

 phorides (the generalised superfamilies), leading up to the Lasiocampides, 

 Edpterotides, Endromibes, Bomeycides> Satdrniides and Sphingides (the 

 specialised superfamilies). 



We are inclined to attach but little importance to the pre-spiracular 

 tubercle of the Sphingids ; the whole of the other essential characters, 

 both of egg and larva, showing considerable affinity with the Endro- 

 mids and Saturniids. 



One of the most puzzling points in the taxonomy of the Lepidoptera 

 is the affinity of the Pterophorids. The imagines of this superfamily 

 have, in common with the Orneodids (Alucitids), " plumed " wings, 

 and therefore our more superficial investigators place them somewhere 

 near each other. Of their utter want of relationship Chapman speaks 

 with no uncertain sound. He says° : Epermenia and Omeodes are 

 typical members of the Pyraloid-Micropterygid {i.e., Pyraloid-Erio- 

 craniid) series ; Pterophorus is not a member of this series, etc. Again, 

 he notesf : There is no relationship between the pupa of Omeodes and 

 that of Pterophorus. The latter has not followed the line towards the 

 Macros that has been taken by the Pyralides, but has struck out an en- 

 tirely separate line of its own, and still retains nearly all the features of 

 a Micro pupa. The only point that interests us here, in connection with 



* Trans, Ent. Soc. Lond., 1896, p. 145. f ^nt. Record, vol. vii., No. 11, 18%. 



