VI.—THE PSYCHINA.
The Psychina are distinguished by the following characters:—
"Eyes glabrous. Maxillary palpi rudimentary or obsolete (yet sometimes well marked in pupa). Posterior tibiæ, with spurs very short, middle spurs often absent. Fore-wings with vein 1b furcate, 1c usually developed, 5 more or less approximated to 4. Hind-wings with frenulum, retinaculum often very broad, 1c present, 8 connected or anastomosing with cell." (See Plate [I]., figs. 30, 31 neuration of Œceticus omnivorus.)
"This ancient group, which furnishes the origin of the five preceding, is not now very prominent, though much more numerous in warm regions.
"Imago with fore-wings more or less elongate-triangular, hind-wings ovate, often rather small.
"Larva with 10 prolegs, usually with few hairs.
"Pupa with segments 8-11 free, usually 7 also (except in Psychidæ), in male 12 also; protruded from cocoon in emergence."—(Meyrick.)
The Psychina and Micropterygina are included amongst the Micros by most modern authors. I have, however, described and figured certain conspicuous and interesting species belonging to both these groups. The insects in question have, until so very recently, been regarded as Macros, that I think it would be a mistake to omit them in the present volume. There can, however, be no question that the modern view is the correct one, and that notwithstanding the large size of some of the species, they are really closely allied to those Micro-Lepidoptera, with which they are now associated.
Of the Psychina we have one family represented in New Zealand—the Psychidæ.