PYRALID2E. 
505 
ThyRidxml 
Frenulum present , hindwing vein la reaching torn us, no p recost al spur 
to vein 8, which is curved and approximated to or anastomosed with 
vein 7 or connected by a bar . Vein lc. absent, wing vein 5 nearer 4 
than 6. Moderate sized moths accurately distinguished by the vena¬ 
tion above. The palpi are upturned and slender , the antennce not 
pectinate. 
A family of nearly 60 species of which three are found widely dis¬ 
tributed in India, the remainder known only from a few localities in the 
hills. The life-histories are little known, the larvae known having five 
pairs of prolegs, few hairs and the form common in Pyralidce . Rhode - 
neura is the most important'genus, represented by R. myrsusalis, Wlk., 
R. myrtcea , Dr., and many hill forms. Dysodia ignita , Wlk., is also wide¬ 
spread, the larva boring in wood. 
Pyralids. 
Hindwing with vein 8 anastomosing with or approximated to vein 7, 
vein lc. present . Slender moths with long thin legs , with labial and 
maxillary palpi usually well developed , the proboscis present or 
absent. 
A large family of moths of usually moderate to small size, few hav¬ 
ing an expanse so large as two inches. They are intermediate in size be¬ 
tween the robust Noctuids and the minute Tortricids and Tineids ; ac¬ 
tually the majority of the smaller moths seen in the field are Pyralids, but 
there is no means of definitely ascertaining this save by working out the 
venation and the student will confuse smaller Noctuids and the large 
Tineids with Pyralids. The greater number of the smaller moths in grass 
and at lights are Pyralids and the family is a very extensive one. The 
colour schemes of these moths are extremely diverse and are not of the 
more obviously cryptic or warning kind of larger Lepidoptera. To those 
who study the group in the Museum, the colouring presents a great 
variety that, subordinated to points of structure, offers reliable specific 
distinctions. Sexual differences are expressed in the structure of the 
wings, palpi or antennae, or in the size but rarely in the colour. To the 
field naturalist, the colour patterns of many Pyralidce are inexplicable; 
the grey forms, such as many of the Galleriince, appear to be vaguely 
