30 MISC. PUBLICATION 318, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 



ination will show that scales are present on the body and at least 

 on the veins and margins of the wings. Insects of this group also 

 have a pronounced tuft of hair on the tip of the abdomen. They are 

 known as the clearwing moths. The larvae, or caterpillars, of most 

 of these moths chew their way into the woody portion of plants and 

 often cause serious damage. These moths have complete life changes, 

 and usually there is one generation each year. The moth shown here 

 is the parent of the peach borer (Conopia exitiosa). It has a wing- 

 spread of l 1 /^ inches. 



Skippers. — Among the butterflies and moths may be found insects 

 that resemble butterflies when flying around in the daytime, but on 

 close inspection they resemble moths because 

 ^^Bk of their heavier bodies. If the antennae are 

 hooked, as shown in the accompanying pic- 

 ture, these insects belong to the group called 

 skippers. They get this name from their 

 rapid, darting flight. The one pictured here 

 is the locust skipper (Epargyreus tityms). 

 It has a wing expanse of from 1% to 2 inches. 

 The forewings are dark brown with yellow 

 figure 74.— skipper. bands and silver spots beneath; the hind 

 wings are uniform in color. The mouth parts of these moths are 

 made for sucking, and the larvae feed on various leguminous plants 

 such as clovers. The skippers overwinter as pupae on the ground in 

 dead leaves. The life changes are complete. These insects occa- 

 sionally become pests. Stomach poisons will kill the larvae. 



DIPTERA (FLIES) 



In this big insect world there is one group that is particularly 

 annoying to picnic parties, either while they are attempting to eat 

 or when they are fishing along streams. The group of insects re- 

 ferred to belongs to the order Diptera, which means that members 

 of this family have two wings and only stubs where the hind wings 

 ought to be. Members of this order vary considerably in size and 

 shape, as the description of the following kinds, representing different 

 families, will indicate. 



Houseflies. — Possibly the most common of this group is the housefly 

 (Musca domestica) , which is about one-fourth of an inch long, gray 

 with black stripes, eyes dark red, and abdomen yellowish at the base. 

 Contrary to the ideas of many persons, the house- 

 fly cannot bite, as it has specialized or lapping- 

 type mouth parts. The stablefly, which closely 

 resembles the housefly and is quite often mistaken 

 for it, has piercing mouth parts and can most cer- 

 tainly register its presence. Houseflies feed on all 

 sorts of filth and possibly are one of man's worst 

 enemies, since they carry disease organisms. 

 They have complete life changes, overwinter in all 

 stages, and have several generations each season. 

 The most effective control is sanitation, which in 

 effect is destroying the breeding places. Barnyard 



