"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 1_b_ furcate, 1_c_ usually
developed, 5 more or less approximated to 4. Hind-wings with frenulum,
retinaculum often very broad, 1_c_ present, 8 connected or anastomosing
with cell." (See Plate I., figs. 30, 31 neuration of _Oeceticus
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_.
Family 1.--PSYCHIDÆ.
"Head densely rough-haired. Ocelli large. Tongue obsolete. Antennæ half
the length of the fore-wings or less, in male strongly bi-pectinated to
apex. Labial palpi very short, hairy. Thorax densely hairy above and
beneath. Abdomen, femora, and tibiæ densely hairy, posterior tibiæ
without middle spurs, end spurs extremely short. Fore-wings with vein
1_a_ anastomosing with 1_b_ before middle; 1_c_ (if present) coincident
with 1_b_ beyond middle, 7 absent. Hind-wings, with vein 8, connected by
bar with upper margin of cell. Female apterous, without legs or developed
antennæ.
{123}"A rather small family of universal distribution, but commoner in warm
countries. Male imago with thinly scaled wings, without markings; flight
strong and swift, sometimes in sunshine. The female is almost wholly
helpless; the abdomen is at first greatly distended with eggs, and
ultimately shrivels up.
"Ovum oval, smooth. Larva inhabiting a strong portable silken case, covered
with fragments of stick or refuse. Pupa within the larval
case."--(Meyrick.)
There are two genera in New Zealand closely allied to each other.