rSYCIIINA 443 



culum often very broad, lc present, 8 connected or anastomos- 

 ing with cell (except Zeuzeridae). 



This ancient group, which furnishes the origin of the five 

 preceding, is not now very prominent, though much more 

 numerous in warm regions than would be supposed from a 

 knowledge of the few European forms. 



Imago with forewings more or less elongate -triangular, 

 hindwings ovate, often rather small. 



Type of markings indefinite ; often none, or a vague reticu- 

 lation only ; when present, they are irregular. 



Larva with 10 prologs (except Heterogeneidae), usually with 

 few hairs. 



Pupa with segments 8-11 free, usually 7 also (except 

 Psychidae), in 6 12 also; protruded from cocoon in emergence. 



The four families can only be regarded as correlative de- 

 velopments from a common ancestral form, which must have 

 closely approached the typical Tmeidae (group of Epichnopteryx). 



Tabulation of Families. 



1. 8 of hindwings connected with cell . 2. 



„ „ not connected with cell 2. Zeuzeridae. 



2. lc of forewings coincident with lb posteriorly 



1. Psycuidae. 

 ,, „ separate . . . .3. 



3. Tongue developed . . 3. Zygaenidae. 



„ obsolete . . .4. Heterogeneidae. 



1. PSYCHIDAE. 



Head densely rough-haired. Ocelli large. Tongue obsolete. 

 Antennae J or less, in 3 strongly bipectinated to apex. Labial 

 palpi very short, hairy. Thorax densely hairy above and 

 beneath. Abdomen, femora, and tibiae densely hairy, posterior 

 tibiae without middle-spurs, end-Spurs extremely short. Fore- 

 wings : la anastomosing with lb before middle, lc (if present) 

 coincident with lb beyond middle, 7 absent. Hindwings: 8 

 connected by bar with upper margin of cell. ? apterous, 

 without legs or developed antennae. 



A rather small family of universal distribution, but commoner 

 in warm countries. Male imago with thinly scaled wings, with- 

 out markings ; flight strong and swift, sometimes in sunshine. 

 The female is almost wholly helpless ; the abdomen is at first 

 greatly distended with eggs, and ultimately shrivels up. 



