2 9 4 
THE STUDY OF INSECTS. 
Only a few Noctuids have pectinate antennae, and these, 
so far as they are known to the writer, lack ocelli. 
The venation of the wings of a member of this family is 
represented by Fig- 
XI 
IX 
Fig. 350.—Wings of Agrotisypsilon. 
the other veins; and there is considerable variation in the 
point of origin of this vein. 
In the typical Noctuids, the body is large in proportion 
to the size of the wings; the front wings are strong, some¬ 
what narrow, and elongated, the outer margin being shorter 
than the inner margin ; and when at rest, the wings are 
folded upon the abdomen, giving the insect a triangular out¬ 
line. The antennae are thread-like, fringed with hairs, or 
brush-like, rarely pectinate in the males. Two ocelli are al¬ 
most always present. The labial palpi are well developed, 
and in some species quite prominent. The maxillae are 
quite long and stout in most species. The thorax is heavy 
and stout. In some species the scales on the dorsal surface 
of the thorax are turned up more or less, forming tufts. 
