New Zealand Moths and Butterflies (Macro-Lepidoptera) — John Shaqi
New Zealand Moths and Butterflies (Macro-Lepidoptera)Hudson, G. V. (George Vernon)
Science
New Zealand Moths and Butterflies (Macro-Lepidoptera)
Hudson, G. V. (George Vernon)
Lepidoptera -- New Zealand
The _Antennæ_ are two jointed appendages attached to the top of the head
above the eyes. They vary very much in structure. The following are the
terms used in describing the different forms of antennæ in the
_Lepidoptera_:--
1. _Pectinated_, when the joints have long processes like the teeth of a
comb. If these are on one side only, the antennæ are _unipectinated_; if on
both sides, _bipectinated_. (Plate I., fig. 20, bipectinated antenna of
_Nyctemera annulata_.)
2. _Dentate_, when the joints are armed with slight pointed spines.
{xi}3. _Serrate_, when the joints have sharp projections like the teeth of
a saw. (Fig. 18, antenna of _Melanchra composita_.)
4. _Filiform_, when the whole antenna is simple or thread-like. (Fig. 19,
antenna of _Epirranthis alectoraria_.)
The clothing of the antennæ also varies, and is distinguished as under:--
1. _Ciliated_, when clothed with one or two series of short, fine hairs.
2. _Fasciculate-ciliated_, when the hairs are collected into tufts. (Fig.
17, antenna of _Chloroclystis plinthina_.)
3. _Pubescent_, when the antennæ are clothed with uniform short hairs.
(Fig. 19.)
The functions of the antennæ are still a matter of dispute amongst
entomologists. The majority of the older naturalists regarded them as
organs of hearing. The antennæ are almost always more fully developed in
the male than in the female. From this circumstance many modern
entomologists consider that one of their functions is to enable the former
to find the latter.
The organs of the mouth are thus distinguished:--
1. The _Labrum_, or upper lip (Plate I., fig. 11, _l_), a minute
rudimentary plate situated in front immediately above the proboscis.
2. The _Mandibles_, or upper jaws (m.m), two minute sickle-shaped organs
situated just below the labrum, also rudimentary.
3. The _Proboscis_, or _Haustellum_[1] (c), a tubular extensible organ
formed of the two maxillæ, or lower jaws, which have become greatly
elongated, semi-tubular, and closely pressed together at the edges, but
separable at the will of the insect--a structure which enables the organ to
be easily cleansed when necessary, and is extremely interesting as
indicating so clearly the true development of the proboscis from the
maxillæ.
The _Maxillary palpi_ (p.p) are two jointed organs attached to the base of
the proboscis and very frequently rudimentary, but fully developed amongst
certain of the _Micro-Lepidoptera_.
The _Labium_, or lower lip, is situated below the proboscis and carries the
_Labial palpi_ (figs. 5 and 6), two large jointed organs which are very
conspicuous in nearly all the species and often quite conceal the maxillary
palpi. They are usually regarded as organs of touch, but their true
function does not seem to be properly understood. In the _Lepidoptera_ they
appear to protect the proboscis, which, when out of use, is always coiled
up in a spiral between them. The labrum and mandibles can only be seen by
removing the large labial palpi.
THE THORAX
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