"Ocelli usually distinct. Tongue well developed. Posterior tibiæ with all
spurs present. Fore-wings with veins 7 and 8 usually out of 9, 10 usually
connected with 9. Hind-wings with veins 3 and 4 connate or short-stalked,
5 well developed, 6 and 7 connate or short-stalked or seldom closely
approximated only, 8 shortly anastomosing with cell near base, thence
evenly diverging." (See Plate II., figs. 14 to 18.)
"This family is by no means very prominent in temperate regions, but within
the tropics it assumes immense proportions, and is there, probably, the
most abundant family of the Lepidoptera. There is much greater diversity of
size, colour, and form than in the _Caradrinidæ_, and also more variation
in structure, though this remains more uniform than usual. Imago with
fore-wings usually relatively broader and less elongate than in the
_Caradrinidæ_, body often more slender.
"Ovum spherical, more or less reticulated, often also ribbed. Larva with
few hairs, sometimes with prolegs on segments 7 and 8 absent or
rudimentary. Pupa usually in a cocoon above the ground."--(Meyrick.)