. A manual for the study of insects. Insects. LEPIDOPTERA, 3^7. Fig. 448.—Megathyimis cofaqui. veins have split apart, so that they overHe the hind wings to a greater extent than they do in the female (Fig. 447), which probably represents a more primitive condition. It is a common occurrence for the wings of the male to be more highly specialized than those of the female, for, in the seeking of mates, the males fly more than do the females. But it is unusual for veins to coalesce to a smaller extent in specialized forms than in those more generalized. In other words, the ordinary course of spe
. A manual for the study of insects. Insects. LEPIDOPTERA, 3^7. Fig. 448.—Megathyimis cofaqui. veins have split apart, so that they overHe the hind wings to a greater extent than they do in the female (Fig. 447), which probably represents a more primitive condition. It is a common occurrence for the wings of the male to be more highly specialized than those of the female, for, in the seeking of mates, the males fly more than do the females. But it is unusual for veins to coalesce to a smaller extent in specialized forms than in those more generalized. In other words, the ordinary course of specialization is for veins to grow together instead of to split apart. This family is represented in the United States by a single genus, of which only three species are known. The female of one of these, Megathymus cofaqiii {yi^^-2i-\hy'vi\\is cof-a-qui^), is represented by Figure 448. The male differs in the smaller size of the spots on the fore wing, in lacking the band of spots on the hind wing, and in having the upper surface of the hind wing nearly covered with long fine black hairs, which stand nearly erect. This species has been found in Florida and Colorado. A much better known species is the Yucca-borer, Mega- thyimis yuccce (M. yuc^cae). The female of this species differs from that of the preceding in having much darker wings, all of the spots being smaller, and in having only one or two white spots on the lower surface of the hind wings. The male lacks the erect hairs on the hind wings. The larva bores in the stem and root of the Yucca or Spanish Bayonet. It differs greatly in appearance from the larvae of the Hesperiidae, having a small head. This species is widely distributed through the southern part of our Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Comstock, John Henry, 1849-19
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectinsects, bookyear1895
