30 MISC. PUBLICATION 318, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 
most of the others, but careful examination 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 wingspread of 114 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 
of their heavier bodies. If the antennae are 
hooked, as shown in the accompanying pic- 
ture, these insects belong to the group calied 
skippers. They get this name from their 
rapid, darting flight. The one pictured here 
is the locust skipper (Z’pargyreus tityrus). 
It has a wing expanse of from 18/4 to 2 inches. 
The forewings are dark brown with yellow 
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. 
FIGURE 74.—Skipper. 
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 as 
larvae, and have several generations each season. 
The most effective control is sanitation, which in 
effect is destroying the breeding places. Barnyard 
FIGURE 75.—Housefly. 
