zygæna

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. In entomology, a genus of moths, typical of the family Zygænidæ, the species of which are known as burnet-moths, as Z. minos, the transparent burnet; Z. trifolii, the five-spotted burnet; Z. loniceræ, the narrow-bordered burnet; Z. filipendulæ, the six-spotted burnet; etc. It was at first coextensive with the family, but now includes only those forms that have the antennæ claviform, a little longer than the body; the wings elongate, and spotted; the palpi short, hairy, and acute; and the larvæ contracted, stout, hairy, and transforming in a fusiform parchment-like cocoon. Nearly 100 species are known, of which 52 occur in Europe, the others in Asia and Africa; 26 are British. The larvæ are remarkable in hibernating in the half-grown condition. Some entomologists change the name to Anthrocera, because it is the same as the genus Zygæna in ichthyology; but this is a mistake, for entomology has the prior claim upon the name, and it is the genus of fishes that should not be named Zygæna.
2. n. In ichthyology, a genus of sharks, so named by Cuvier in 1817; the hammerheads: now called Sphyrna (which see). See cut under hammer-head.