262 
THE STUDY OF INSECTS. 
The Squash-vine Borer, Melittia ceto (Me-lit'ti-a ce'to).— 
The larva of this species (Fig. 307) does great damage by 
eating the interior of squash-vines. In some places it is 
Fic. 307 .—Melittia ceto, larva in squash-vine. 
almost impossible to raise squashes on account of its rav¬ 
ages. The fore wings of the adult are covered with scales, 
and the hind legs are fringed with long orange-colored scales. 
Family Dioptid^E (Di-op'ti-das). 
The Dioptids (Di-op'tids). 
This family is represented in our fauna by a single known 
species, Phryganidia californica (Phryg-a-nid'i-a cal-i-for'- 
ni-ca), which occurs in Califor¬ 
nia. This is a pale-brown 
insect, with nearly transparent 
wings (Fig. 308). The veins 
of the wings are dark, which 
renders them prominent. In 
the males there is a yellowish 
spot just beyond the discal cell. The venation of the wings 
Fig. 308 .—Phryganidia californica. 
