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MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES
DENTON
ATTACUS CYNTHIA
As Nature Shows Them
Moths and Butterflies
OF THE
UNITED STATES
EAST OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS
With over 400 Photographic Illustrations in the Text and Many Transfers of
Species from Life
By SHERMAN F. DENTON
Volume I
THE MOTHS
J. B. MILLET COMPANY
BOSTON
Copyright, 1900,
By
Bradlee Whidden
■'■* i-r'^3
PEEFACE.
Scientific works on butterflies are not rare in most libraries ; but to the
enthusiast who loves these creatures for their beauty and variety there is
usually very little of interest in scientilic details.
It is the aim of the i)resent work to represent our native butterflies and
moths not as dried and mutilated specimens in a cabinet, with pins stuck
through them, nor as dissected fragments for scientific classification, but as
one sees them in our woods and fields, fresh and lovely.
From the standpoint of the artist and the decorator, the study of the de-
signs and color patterns on the wings of btitterflies may be of valuable assist-
ance. Such combinations of pleasing tints are rarely found in the handiworks
of man. What better school coidd be foinid for the colorist than is within
the reach of the humblest aspirant for fame as artist or decorator? Think of
students copying the dingy works of the old masters year after 3'ear, when at
their own doors the grandest combinations of colors that Nature can produce
are passed by without a thought ! We have close about us the best that
Nature is capable of producing, if we but use our eyes to see it.
The life histories of many of the lepidoptera are replete with interest, and
the knowledge of not a few is essential to man's welfare. To the gardener or
the florist the study of entomology is a necessity, and the recognition of his
enemies and friends in the insect world is of first importance.
To those who have, or desire to have, a cabinet of specimens, this study
will be foitnd of never-failing interest, as one may pursue his researches
through all seasons of the year. Improved methods of mounting and keeping
such specimens render their preservation and care a simple matter ; and the
collections made in one's childhood may be kept to delight one's old age.
The practical hints on collecting and rearing specimens, the result of many
years' experience, will be appreciated by beginners and the new methods of
illustration herein used will greatly help the student in identifying and naming
his specimens.
VI PREFACE.
The colored plates, or Nature Prints, used in the work, are direct trans-
fers from the insects themselves ; that is to say, the scales of the wings of the
insects are transferred to the paper while the bodies are printed from engrav-
ings and afterward colored by hand. The making of such transfers is not
original with me, but it took a good deal of experimenting to so perfect the
process as to make the transfers, on account of tlieir fidelity to detail and
their durability, fit for use as illustrations in such a work. And what mag-
nificent illustrations they are, embodying all the beauty and perfection of the
specimens themselves !
As I have had to make over fifty thousand of these transfers for the en-
tire edition, not being able to get any one to help me who would do the work
as I desired it done, and as more than half the sjiecimens from which they were
made were collected by myself, 1 having made many trips to different parts of
the country for their capture, some idea of the labor in connection with prepar-
ing the material for the pul)lication may be obtained.
I will say, however, that there never was laborer more in love with his
work, or one whose labors took him among pleasanter scenes. In collecting
such a large number of specimens, many new facts in regard to the habits of
these charming creatures have been observed, and to write interestingly' of their
lives and to give a few examples of their marvellous beauty has been the aim
of the author.
SnERMAx F. Denton.
Welleslev, Mass., 189!).
LIST OF TEXT ILLUSTRATIONS.
Paet I (Moths).
Butterfly Scales
Antennas ....
Tongue of Sphinx .
Development of a Butterfly
Caterpillar of Butterfly .
Development of the Moth
Detail of Net Eim .
The Net Completed
Poison Box
Shape for Collecting I'apers
The Folding of Collecting Papers
Bundle of Insects in their Envelopes
Oven for Drying Insects
Ilclaxing-Box ....
Insect Spread on Setting Block
Forceps for Handling Insects
Various Forms of Plume Moths
PteroiJhorus pentadactylus .
Alucita hexadactyla
Tinea flavifrontella
Tinea granella
Hyponomeuta millepunctatella
Depressaria robiniella .
Various Forms of Leaf-EoUers
Lozottenia cerasiovorana
Lozotajnia rosaceana
Antithesia pruniana
Carjioca^jsa pomonella .
Various F'orms of Snout Moths
Galeria cereana
Crambus girandella
Larvae of Geometrid Moths .
Angerona crocataria
Brei)hos infans
Anisopteryx vernata
Anisopteryx autumnata
Zerene catenaria
Amphidasis cognataria .
Rheumaptera hastata
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LIST OF TEXT ILLUSTIIATIONS.
Hybernia tiliaria
Petrophora diversilneata
Hsniatopis grataria
Geomctra iridaria .
Eutropola clematata
Endropia marginata
Therina seminiidaria
Endropia hypochraria
Acidalia ennucleata
Eutropela transversata
Erebus odora .
Catocala relicta
Catocala concumbens
Catocala epione
Catocala fratercula
Catocala parta
Catocala cerogama
Catocala unijuga .
Catocala subnata .
Poapliila quadrifilaris
Drasteria ereohtoa .
Catocala innubens .
Catocala flebilis
Catocala desperata
Catocala palaeogania
Eiiclidia cuspidea .
Rhodopliora florida
Larva of Hellophila unipuiic
Plusia simplex
Plusia putnami
Gortyna nitela
CucuUia speyeri
Pyrophila pyramidoides
Mamestra picta
Larva of Mamestra pict
Agrotis tassellata .
Agrotis c-nigram .
Agrotis normaniana
Agrotis herilis
Agrotis venerabilis
Calocampa impera .
Catocala antinympha
Catocala arnica
Aputela lobeliae
Eucirroedia jiainpina
Parthenos nubilis .
Plusia ajrea
Apatela americana
Graniatophora trisignata
Larva of Gramataphora trisignata
Xylutos robiniai. Female
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LIST OF TEXT ILLUSTRATIONS.
IX
f Att
inotl
Xylutcs robiniiv. Male
Sthenopis argentata
Clisiocanipa ainericana .
Clisiocampa disstria
Tolype velleda
Tolype laricis
Gastropacha americana .
Aiiisota senatoria .
Anisota rubicimda .
Chrysalis of Anisota rubicunda
Citheronia regalis. Male
Larva of Eacles imperialis .
Eacles imperialis. Male and female moth
Saturnia io. Female
Larva of Saturnia io .
Chrysalis and cocoon of Saturnia io
Saturnia maia. Male .
Larva of Attacus cecropia .
Section of cocoon of Attacus cecropia
Swamp and upland forms of cocoons o
Larva of Attacus promethia .
Cocoon of Attacus promethia
Attacus angulifera. Male and fenia
Larva of Telea polyphemus
Cocoon of Telea polyphemus
Actias luna. Male
Porthesia chrysorrhcea .
Cerura borealis
Larva of Cerura borealis
Larva of Edema albifrons
Edema albifrons
Coelodasys unicornis
Coelodasys biguttata
Larva of Coelodasys
Nerice bidentata
Larva of CEdemasia concinn
Pheosia rimosa
Apatelodes torrefacta .
Larva of Datana .
Datana ministra
Limacodes scapha .
Limacodes querceta
Parasa fraterna
Lagoa crispata
Case of the I^vergreen Bag Worm
Halisidota cai'yaj .
Halisidota tessellata
Larva of Orgyia leucostigma
Leucarctia acraja .
Phragmatobia rubricosa
Larva of Pyrrharctia Isabella
cecropia
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LIST OF TEXT ILLUSTRATIONS.
I'yrrliarctiii isabc'lla
Cocoon ami imi)a of an Arctian
Arctia iiais ....
Arctia arge ....
Arctia phalerata
Arctia virgo ....
Larva of cycnia cgel
Calliniorplia lecontei
IIypo])repia miniata
CtL-nuclia virginica
LyconiorpJia iihohis
Eudryas grata
Alyi)ia octomaculata
I'syclioniorpha epinicnis
Melittia cucurbita^ .
^T<]geria exitiosa. Male and fenial
yEgeria tipuliforme
^l^^geria pyri ....
Larva of Sphinx Moth .
Pupae of Sphinx Moths .
Ilemaris thysbc
Hemaris diffinis
Deilephila chama'ncrii .
Dfilephila lineata .
Everyx myron
Pupa of Everj'x niyron .
Larva of Everyx niyron
I<]veryx cluerilus
Philanipelus pandorus .
Larva of Pliilanipelu.s pandorus
Philanipelus achenion .
Macrosila quinquenuicuhitus
Larva of Macrosila quin(iuemaculatus
Macrosila Carolina .
Larva of Ccratoniia quadricornis
Ccratomia quadricornis
I^aremnia undulosa
Dolba hylajus .
Spliinx gordius
Sphinx chersis
Sphinx drupiferarum
Cidoerocanipa tersa
Tliyreus abbotii
Ampliion ncssus
Larva of Snierintluis
Siucrinthus geminatus
Snierinthus excsccatus. Male
Snierinthus niyops .
Triptogon niodesta
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LIST OF COLORED PLATES.
TRANSFERS FROM LIFE.
Attacus CYNTHIA. Upper side
Catocala cara
Saturnia io .
Attacus cecropia .
Attacus cynthia. Under side
Attacus promethia. Male .
Attacus promethia. Female
Telea POLYPHEMUS. Upper side
Telea POLYPHEMUS. Under side
OCNERIA DISPAR
UtETHEISIA BELLA .
Deilephila lineata
Macrosila quinquemaculatus
FACING PAGE
Frontispiece
. 62
. 100
. 102
. 104
. 106
. 106
. 110
. 110
. 116
. 132
. 142
. 148
CONTENTS.
The Life History
Implements for Collecting
Preparations for a Cabinet
How to make a Collection
Collecting Moths
Classification
Heterocera. The Moths
Micro Lepidoptera
Pteroplioridfe
Tineida^. .
Tortricida^
Pyralida3 .
Geometrida3
Noctuidai
Bombycidfe .
ZygaMiida? .
Sphingidtii .
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HETEROCERA
THE MOTHS
Xcpiboptera; or ScaIe==vpinoeb insects.
THE LIFE HISTORY.
The name Lepidoptcra was first
applied by the naturalist Linnteus
to the order of insects known as
butterflies and moths.
The dust whicli covers the wings
and bodies of these insects, when placed
under a microscope of low power, is seen
to l)e composed of minute scales. These
vary in form from those elongated into hairs
to flat wide plates not unlike in appearance the scales of fishes.
The variety in shape and color of the scales of different species
of Lepidoptei'a is amazing, and a number sprinkled on a microscopic
slide will frequently display all the glitter and iridescence of a casket
of precious jewels. To these scales the beauty of coloiing of this
order of insects is entirely due ; for when they are removed, the
Butterfly Scales.
wings are seen to be composed of veins or ril)s, with thin transparent
membranes extending between them. Many of the scales are striated
or corrugated and decompose the light in such a way as to give to our
ej^es those combinations of colors so pleasing to behold. They are
2 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
frequently ariiinged on the Aviiigs in leonilar order, as are the scales on
reptiles or fishes, and Avhen I'enioved leave a slight sear on tlie nieni-
Imme where they were attaehed.
In stud3ang tfie structure of a butterfly, turn it underside upper-
most. It A\ill then ])e seen to l)e com})Osed of three distinct parts :
the head, which supports tlie antenna^ (2)opularly known as feelers),
the eyes, and the mouth parts ; the thorax, to which are attached
two })airs of wings and three })airs of legs ; and the abdomen.
The eyes of butterflies and moths are compound, and the facets
vary in dift'erent species from several hundred to many thousand.
The vision of some of the higher Ijutterflies is exceedingly acute, as
one w'ill often have reason to note Avhen cautiously endeavoring to
approach some coveted prize near enough to use the net. Man}"
moths, on the contrary, seem to l)e simply able to distinguish
between light and darkness, and are apparently more often guided
by the sense of smell than of sight.
The antenufB have Ijeen supposed by some naturalists to be organs
of smell, and there is certainly good foundation for this supposi-
tion. They^ vary in shape from hair-like and feather-like in many
of the moths to rods with club-shaped ends in most of the butterflies.
Anteniirt,'.
By the antennro the beginner may most easily distinguish between
butterflies and moths. The antennte of butterflies ai-e nearly always
l)lunt or knobbed at the ends, while the same organs in moths are
generally pointed.
The mouth })arts of the lepidoptera aie constructed for sucking
tlie sweets from flowers or the juices fi'om other substances : and
while some of the motlis have no way of taking nourishment in their
perfect state, most of the species of this Oider are })rovided with a
DSI
THE LIFE HISTORY.
long tongue \Yliicli, Avlien not in use, is coiled into a close spiral
between the pal[)i. This reaches its greatest development in some
Tongue of Spbiiix.
of the sphinx moths, enahling them while on the wing to extract
the nectar from the deepest flowers.
While most of the lepidoptera have six well-developed legs, a
group of butterflies, tlie JYi/mphdlida', have the first pair so small and
weak that they are probalAy of very little use to the insect. Tlie
legs are used almost wholly for clinging to substances while the
insects are at rest, as very few of the lepidoptera walk or run to
any extent.
The butterflies are day flyers, and in the hot sunny hours they
sport through the woods and fields. The moths fly mostly by night,
and are frequently more hairy and larger bodied than the butterflies,
while their colors are usually softer and more Ijlended.
The life history of one of the insects Ave are considering, from
the egg to the fly, is most interesting. The perfect insect lays its
eggs, by a wonderful faculty, wliich for want of a better word we
call instinct, upon or near tlie species of [)lants which are to furnish
the food for the future caterpillars.
These eggs, often very minute, are of various shapes and are
ornamented in a variety of ways. Some are oblong ; others almost
perfect s|)]ieres ; otliers again flattened above and below, while their
outlines are circular. With these shapes go smooth and sometimes
highly polished surfaces. Some resemble low vases with turned-over
and fluted edges, while they are adorned with raised patterns or
sliarpl}^ cut grooves or circular pits, or in other examples studded
with nodules or even with s[)ines. Others bear a general resem-
l)lance to a lady's work-basket in shape and reticulated ornamentation.
Some have a lid or cover, wliich is raised by tlie cater[)illar when
about to emerge from the shell. They vary too, in color as Avell as
in shape and ornamentation ; some are white or of a peaily lustre,
some blue or gra}^ wliile a large number are green, and a few brown
4 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
or l)l;iek. An interesting collection may be made of these eggs
alone, and an entomologist can often tell from examining an egg tlie
species of bntterfly to wliicli it belongs.
When the larva emerges, so small and so unlike the mature
insect, no one would guess what it was to be. It crawls to the tips of
the tender young leaves and makes its first meal. It soon begins to
grow ra[)idly : and as it grows its skin becomes too small for its con-
stantly increasing bulk, and a new skin begins to form under the old
one, which after a short period of rest the caterpillar casts off. This
is done- in tlie following manner: the insect first spins U[)on the
leaf or tAvig upon which it lests a mat of silk to which it can hold
firmly with its claws and claspers. It ceases to eat for a period and
remains perfectly quiet upon the mat. It becomes so dull and sickly
in appearance that one might suppose it was about to die. At
length it begins to twist its head from side to side vigorously, and
after a series of contortions in which the forward segments swell and
shrink alternately, the skin splits down the middle of the Ixick and
the rent is further enlarged by the struggles of the insect until it
can draw its liead and legs out of the opening, when by securing a
firm hold with its forward hooks it crawls out of its old skin look-
ing as bright as a gold coin fresh from tlie mint. It is feel)le and
exhausted from its labors, while its skin and even its head and legs
are soft and tender, and it now remains quiet until the skin dries and
toughens by exposure, when it is ready once more to attack with
renewed energy the tender leaves of its food plant.
The cast-off skin sometimes retains the shape and colors of the
cater})illar to a snrprising degree — a veritable ghost of tlie former
insect. Some caterpilhirs devour their outgrown garments as a first
meal after each moult; others leave them where they w^ere cast;
and one species carries in front of its head on a tuft of hairs, during
its caterpillar life, the cast-off shells of its head which were shed
with each change of skin, thus keeping in sight a record of its out-
grown coverings from infancy. AVhen the ca-ter[»illars aie gregarious
these cast-off skins in groups representing each moult of the colony
may frequently be seen on one plant. The moulting period is a crit-
ical time ill the life of the larva, for it is not only helpless to resist
the attacks of enemies but it may die from exhaustion in the act of
shedding its skin.
The larva eats ravenously (sometimes devouring twice its weight
of food in twenty-four hours) after it resumes activity, with a
Development of a Butterfly.
THE LIFE HISTORY. 7
corresponding' ra})id growth in size. In consequence its new coat
soon becomes too small, and the moulting })rocess is re[»eated several
(sometimes live or six) times, with corresponding changes in the size
of the larva. In many instances there are marked changes in the
colors and the shape of the caterpillar after each moult. At length,
in the course of several weeks, the insect aiiives at its full growth.
It now ceases to eat, and looks about for a suitable })lace in which to
pass its period of inactivity, known as the pupa or chrysalis state.
And here, before he s})ins his cocoon or changes to a pupa, we will
take a last good look at him.
The larva of a lepidopterous insect is jointed or segmented into
thirteen divisions. First comes the head, which is usually hard and
horny ; the eyes, twelve in number, are very small, and are placed
near the mouth. They are simple eyes with very convex lenses, so
tliat the range of vision must be very short; in fact, so deficient is
the sight of caterpillars one may conclude that they are guided more
by the sense of feeling than by sight. Place a caterpillar on a twig
and watch it ascend, feeling its way and I'eaching out from side to
side before every advance movement. When it reaches the top, it
does not survey the scene below, but taking a firm hold with its last
two or three pairs of claspers, it stretches its body out to the utmost,
swinging' first one side and then the other, in order to feel if there is
anything beyond on which it can lay liold.
The jaws of a caterpillar move horizontally and are powerful in-
struments, capable in the larger species of biting through tlie tough
ribs of leaves as the insect reaches them while feeding. Crawling
down the midrib of a leaf the caterpillar advances toward the edge,
and liolding the leaf between one or more pairs of its horny front
legs, it brings its jaws together on opposite sides, cutting out a small
piece with each bite, and contiiuiing this down with regular order,
it soon cuts out a large semicircular space, taking ribs and all. A
smaller caterpillar will simply eat awa}" the soft parts of the leaf be-
tween the small ribs, leaving a skeleton ; while the very minute leaf
miners burroAv in the substance of the leaf between the upper and
lower skin.
The noise made by a laige colonv of larv;e Avliile feeding has
been compared to that made l)y a heavy shower of rain on an attic
roof ; and the quantity of food which they require is well-nigh appal-
ling to a novice who has started perlia[)s with several liundi'ed tiny
creatuies which could all make a meal on a handful of leaves, and
8 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
finds that tliej need l)usljel.s of fresh food daily when nearly full
grown. Of course, in a state of nature tlie large larvae are usually
Avidely scattered, so that their ravages are not so noticeable ; but
when feeding a large number hatched from eggs one is liable to find
he has an elephant on his hands.
A little protul)erance under the mouth of the larva is the silk-
spinning oig-an. This is the external opening to the silk secreting
glands, wliicli consist of two tubes or sacks, one on either side of the
body, containing the viscid fluid which, by exposure to the air, dries
and hardens into silk. This silk is used in a variety of ways by the
different species of caterpillars. Some colonies build nests for their
nuitual protection ; others attach a thin thread to the leaves and
branches of the plants as they craAvl over them, so that they are with
difficulty shaken off, for they merely let themselves down on their
threads a short distance and then crawl up again when the danger is
past. Many species spin cocoons as silky coveriiigs for themselves
when they are about to pupate ; and a good many of the butterfl}"
larvfe not only attach tlie posterior extremity of the abdomen to a
silken carpet but anchor themselves with a strong cable spun about
the bod}'- and attaclied to tlie suljstance from which they are sus-
pended.
If we examine a caterpillar, we shall notice that the first three
pairs of legs, attached to the second, third and fourth segments
Caterpillar of Butterfly.
(calling the head the first), are different from the fleshy legs or
claspei's. These iirst six legs are hard and horny and provided with
claws or hooks at the ends. They are the true legs and correspond
to the legs of the perfect fly. The usual number of clas})ers is five
pairs, and these are placed on the seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth and
THE LIFE HISTORY. 9
thirteentli segments — tlie fifth, sixth, eleventli and twelftli seg-
ments having none. A number of caterpillars, however, have but
four pairs of claspers (also called abdominal legs or prolegs), while a
few have but two pairs, and these situated at the extremity of the
body. The claspers are tliick and fleshy, and may l^e extended or
contracted, while their ends are surrounded with a num])er of minute
hooks. These prolegs or claspers are absorl)ed into the abdomen of
the insect during its transformation into a pupa.
In walking, a caterpillar advances by an undvdating motion,
extending and contracting its body. A few species (the geometrids)
advance by bending the body up into a loop and then extending it to
its full length. These are sometimes called inch-worms or measure-
worms, from their mode of progression.
Insects breathe through spiracles or air-tuhes in their sides ; and
the openings of these tubes are often plainly visible in caterpillars,
especially in smooth ones. Tliey are located on the segments, one
on either side, and are often enclosed in a small circular or oval
patch of color.
The variety of the shapes and colors of caterpillars is well-nigh
endless, and often most wonderful, they being adapted in many
instances to so resemble the plants upon which they feed that their
enemies are baffled in their search for them.
Some look and act as if they were venomous, Avhile others are by
their repulsive or even terrible appearance calculated to fi'ighten
insect-devouring creatures. Some are smooth-skinned, some humped,
or covered with bunches, tubercles, warts, flesliy filaments, horns,
spikes, spines, bristles, hairs or down, and sometimes a combination
of several of these. A few sting like the nettle, Avhile others shed
their sliarp pointed hairs which work into the flesh if they are
roughly handled. Some secrete strong, disagreeable odors, while
some are perfumed like a dandy at a ball. Their colors are scarcely
less wonderful. Some bear large spots which look like great eyes
watching from the leaves. Some are striped or banded, or sprinkled
with dots. They are of every imaginable color or shade, but the
majority are green, and so nearly resemble the leaves among which
they feed that it is difficult to see them. Some look as if made of
bark and covered with lichens; otliers so closely resemble twigs with
their minute knots as to deceive even the expert.
But with all these sultterfuges for protection, the 1)irds, toads and
ichneumon flies find most of them out ; thus, in spite of the countless
10
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
millions which liatch from the eggs each season, their nnmbers are
mostly kept within 1)0un(ls.
But to resume our history of the life of the caterpillar. As
before mentioned, some species make for themselves cocoons ; others
burrow down into the soil or hide among the fallen leaves at the
roots of trees ; while still others have no covering, and suspend
themselves by silken webs in various localities. In preparing for the
pupa state a change takes place in the appearance of the caterpillar.
Its coloi's fade ; it shortens and thickens : and at length, after move-
Developmt'ut of the Motli.
ments similar to those which it uses in changing its skin in moulting,
a seam opens in the back, and the larval skin is worked backwards
and finally off.
It is now a pupa or chrysalis, looking neither like the caterpillar
Avhich it was nor the fly which it is to be. By close examination the
legs, wings, antennae, etc., may be clearly made out; l)ut how com-
pactly they are placed together ! Not a particle of room is wasted.
It seems most marvellous that from this inactive, fossil-like creature.
THE LIFE HISTORY. 11
a butterfly full of life and beauty shall emerge. Beueatli tliis hard
aud usually dull-colored exterior, what wonderful changes are tak-
ing place ! Simple eyes give place to compound eyes ; biting jaws
change to a sucking tube, with its palpi ; antennee spring from its
head, wings from the sides of its body, and a delicate scale armor
covers the whole. What tale from " The Arabian Nights " can equal
marvels in the life history of a common butterfly ? At length after
weeks, in some cases months, of inactivity, through the shell of the
chrysalis may be dimly seen the colors of the developing insect. A
slight split opens in the back of the shelly case, and as this widens
and opens the butterfly slowl}^ crawls out, and, after finding a suit-
able place, hangs almost motionless. The creature is still very
unlike the butterfly Avith M^hich we are so familiar. Its body is soft
and weak ; its Avings are no larger than one's finger-nail, and it
looks wet and bedraggled. But watch it. Its wings begin to swell
with the fluid which is pumped into them from its body. It appears
to grow as we look, and in half an hour it is a glorious creature, a
living jewel. Oh, liow perfect and beautiful it is — not a mar on its
velvety wings ! We rarely see one in a wild state so fresh and flaw-
less. It is now at its l)est. It has reached this grand climax after
weeks of preparation, and we can but admire its wondrous beauty.
With the emerging and developing of the perfect insect, its growth
ceases, for a little butterfly never grows to be a big one. A part
injured, a Aving torn, is ncA'cr mended ; loosened scales are ncA^er
replaced ; and its life from noAV on sees it less bright and beautiful
day after day. After depositing its eggs for the next generation it
soon becomes a tattei'ed, helpless ci'eature, and falls an easy prey to
one of its many enemies.
12
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
IMPLEMENTS FOR COLLECTING.
THE NET.
First of all and most important of all is the net. The lightest,
most serviceable, and in every wa}' the best net that I know of is
made with a rim of rattan. Procnre a light piece of straight-grained
pine, two feet long and one inch thick. Plane it down for a net
handle a little smaller at one end, and make a grove with a gouge,
on either side of the smaller end, four inches long. Now, take a
Detail of Net Rim.
piece of rattan sixty-six inches long, rather thicker than a lead-
pencil, and fasten the ends to the handle Avith two bands of copper
Avirc. This will make a net al)ont eighteen inches in diameter. By
now taking a sliort piece of rattan, twenty inches long, making a
long level at both ends, grooving them out a little and Aviring it to
the rattan hoop, as sliown in the following figure, you have a splendid
rim for a net, and one that will last for years. In order to be sure
IMPLEMENTS FOR COLLECTING. 13
that the hoop will be symmetrical after it is completed, it is a good
plan to first fasten the small piece of rattan on Avith twine, and when
it is satisfactory in shape, wire the whole together in a substantial
manner. The rattan will bend better if soaked in hot water for an
hour. A coat of paint or shellac over the handle and the bands of
wire is likel}^ to make the whole more durable.
To make the net, about two yards of mosquito netting, one yard
Avide, are necessary. Sew the netting on the rim with strong
thread (carpet thread Avill answer), button-hole stitch, selvage
next the rim, and when round, cut off the surplus and let the net
hang down. The net should l)e made rounded, not pointed, at the
The Net Completed.
bottom ; and, in order to accomplish this nicely, pin the sides of
the netting together at intervals of two or three inches, cut off the
corners with scissors, and sew together with an over and over stitch.
The finished net should look like the annexed figure. The netting
used should be soft and fine and of some inconspicuous color, such
as brown or green. New netting generally contains some starch
which renders it stiff, but soaking in hot water for a few minutes
after the net is made will obviate this difficulty.
The nettine will have to be renewed once or twice in a season if
much collecting is done. If rattan is not easily procurable, one may
14
MOTHS AND BUTTEEFLIES.
use stout iron Avire sucli as telegraph wire, but it makes tlie net
heavier and less flexible. A straight piece of willow, as large as
one's little finger, will answer for a rim when nothing else can be
obtained. Some may find that a net smaller in diameter and with
a longer handle will answer their purpose better ; but it is difficult
to manipulate a net with one hand if the handle is longer, and the
larger the net one can swing the more likely he is to capture
the large and rapid flying insects which may come his way.
Where insects fly very high, as they sometimes do, a net will
have to be fastened to the end of a pole. A jointed bamboo fish-
pole is a very good thing to use in this case, as the short handle of
the net may be fitted into the brass ferule of the rod at the second
joint. But it will rarely be necessary to use a net of this description
as most of our native butterflies may be easily taken with a short-
handled net.
COLLECTING BOX OR JAR.
A thin glass tumbler, with a tight-fitting cork stopper, will
answer for killing small specimens and an occasional large one ; but
it is almost too small for one who intends to do a large amount of
collecting. The tumbler is prepared as follows : Put into it one
Poison Box.
ounce of cyanide of potassium broken into fragments and cover with
an inch of sawdust well pressed down. Mix a small quantity of
plaster-of-Paris and water to the consistency of rich cream and pour
over the sawdust to the depth of half an inch. When the plaster
hardens the " bottle " is ready for use, killing in a few moments,
IMPLEMENTS FOR COLLECTING.
15
without injiiiy, all insects placed in it. Great care should be used
in handling the cyanide. Do not breathe the fumes of it as they are
deadly poison.
A more convenient and more useful article for killing insects can
be made in the following manner: Purchase at the drug store a
small box with a sliding cover and dovetailed corners, six inches
long, four inches wide and three inclies deep. It may be difficult to
get a box as shallow as this, but if the otlier dimensions are riglit, it
may be cut down to the right height. This box should be taken to
a glazier, and liave him fit into it one piece of glass for a sliding
cover and five pieces for bottom and sides. These latter pieces
should be fastened on with shellac, and thin glass should be used to
make the box as light as possible. When the sliellac is dry, put in
the cyanide as with the tumbler. This box will hold a large number
of insects with papers between them, and will be found very useful
when one is doing much collecting. Occasionally the cyanide
becomes so dry in the collecting box or bottle tliat it fails to kill the
insects quickly. The addition of a few drops of water will gener-
ally restore it to full strength.
A small leather satchel suspended by a strap from the shoulder is
a first-class addition to the collector's outfit. Into it may be put the
captured insects in their envelopes or collecting papers, with needles
and tln'ead for mending the net or tlie clotliing, insect forceps, etc.
A small light box Avith straps attached may be used in place of the
satchel.
Collecting papers or envelopes are made thus : Take smooth.
Sliapf for Collecting Papers.
strong paper (newspapers will answer if nothing better can be pro-
cured) and cut out an oblong piece as shown in the cut. Fold the
16
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
ends across at right ang-les to each other; after which fohl one of
the ends over again, put the insect in head downward, being care-
The FoMing of Collecting Pai.ers.
fnl that its wings be flat : fohl the other end over, and tlie envelope is
finished. Some collectors fasten one end of the paper down with a
little o-um or paste ; but the dried insect is not so easily taken out of
such a paper. One collector wlioin I know uses coupon envelopes
for his butterflies. Tliey are very eheap and convenient to handle,
being all one size.
Insects in their papers should l)e left exposed to the air for a
couple of days to partly dry ; then tliey may Ije tied up in bundles.
BuiiiUe of Insects in their Envelopes.
and are ready to store away in boxes or to l)e sent by mail or express
to their destination.
IMPLEMENTS FOK COLLECTING.
17
TO DRY INSECTS.
In very wet weather insects may have to be dried artificially, to
insure them against mildew. A good article for this purpose is a
lio-ht tin or sheet-iron oven with detachable legfs so made as to be set
Oven for J>ryiiig Insects.
over a lamp. In this the insects are placed in their papers. This is
very useful in tropical countries where specimens may be taken at
the rate of several hundred a day ; but ordinarily one can use the
kitchen oven for drying his specimens in wet weather. Lay them
loosely on the oven shelf, with the door slightly open and they will
dry nicely in an hour or two. Some very large-bodied insects take
a good while to dry; and it" a slit is made in the under side of the
abdomen with a shar[) knife, the contents taken out and the s[)ace
carefully filled with cotton gently crowded in, the body will look
better Avhen dr3^
The bodies of many of the large moths, especially the males of
the silk-spinning species, are filled with a natural oil Avhich is liable
to gradually ooze out and spread over the entire insect, ruining its
appearance and perhaps causing the poor collector many a sigh over
his lost treasure. This may be remedied by cleaning out the abdo-
men of all such insects and stuflfing- with cotton. Another method
18 MOTH.S AND BUTTERFLIES.
which I have used witli success is to snip off the abdomen of sucli
an insect, cut it open on tlie under side, remove tlie contents and
soak it in gasolene for twenty-four hours, after which it csm l)e
stuffed and repkced in its former position with sheUac. This pro-
cess, of course, does away with all lialjility of the insect becoming-
greasy.
To restore the l)eauty of greasy specimens, place tliem in gasolene
in a shallow, covered pan, for twenty-four liours or longer, when they
will come out bright and clean. Downy or liairy specimens may need
a little blowing to restore their fluffy appearance.
The fumes of bisulphide of carljon will kill insect pests which
may have found their way among unmounted specimens. Pour an
ounce or two into a dish placed in the cabinet and close it up tight
for forty-eight hours. Care should be exercised in its use, as it is
very volatile and explosive.
PREPARATIONS FOR A CABINET. 19
PREPARATIONS FOR A CABINET.
There are several wa^'s to prepare lepidopterous insects for the
cabinet. I need mention but two : one by the ordinary method of
spreading- the wings and with a pin thrust thi'ough the thorax, well
known and used by most collectors the world over since man began
to collect and preserve the loeautiful objects of nature ; and the other
by a new and im[)roved Jiiclliod invented by tlie author in 189-1.
After having accumulated a l)eautiful collection of butterflies
and moths from different })arts of the world, only to see it finally
destroyed in s])ite of all the care I had bestowed upon it, and know-
ing my experience had been that of hundreds of other persons, tlie
necessity of some means by which specimens might be kept safe from
the many dangers whicli tlireaten them forced itself upon me. As
the re'sult of a good deal of thought and many experiments, I
invented a simple, light, strong, glass-covered tablet which not only
renders the destruction of the specimens impossible, but })Uts them
in a shape at once more l)eautiful, and infinitel}^ neater, than was pos-
sible by the antiquated method of impaling them on pins — a prey
to insects and a refuge for dust — and liable to be broken even by
a careless breath.
Some of the advantages of my invention over tlie old method of
pinning insects are these :
They are protected against breakage, dust and museum pests, and
specimens once so put up are good for hundreds of years.
A collection tlius mounted needs no care whatever, neitlier is it
necessary to have tight boxes or cabinets ; and one may leave his col-
lection indefinitely without the least danger.
There is no odor from the specimens, neitlier is it necessaiy to
fumigate the cabinet at all, and the vile smells caused by the use of
na})lithaliiie and l)isul[)liide of carbon are entirely done away with.
There are no pins to obstruct a view of the specimens, or to make
them appear as if impaled alive.
There is no danger in showing the collection to ani/ one, and the
most valuable specimens may be handed around for a close inspection
of their beauties without the least dansfer of breakasre.
20 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
A collection of this kind occnpies but half the 8})ace of a collec-
tion mounted on pins, as the drawers of the cal)inet need be Imt one
inch deep inside.
Lastly, the wings of specimens mounted in this way lie perfectly
flat, as the glass rests directly on them, and they tlierefore cannot
lo[) down or Avarp up, as pinned insects are lial)le to do.
j\Iany will be surprised to see how lovely are some of our most
connnon things mounted by this Uk^.w method, making each s[)ecimen
a picture.
Tlie tablets are made of many sizes, to acconnnodate every
variety of specimen. Tliey are flat on the top, with a l)ody cavity of
the size and sha})e to fit the body of the insect; are white with a
glass-like polish on the face ; are liollow at the back, in order to be
as light as possible, and this hollow is covered with card-board when
the insects are mounted.
As my own method is in every way superior to the other, and is
already being adopted by the museums not only of this country but
of the world, I shall devote the most of this chapter to a detailed
description of how best to put up a collection as it sliould be to re-
main indefinitely, and to show to tiie best advantage. I am aware
that I shall encounter — in fact I have already encountered — the
opposition of many of those collectors who have spent years in i)ut-
ting up their collection's by the old methods. It is not reasonable to
suppose that entomoLigists will welcome with open arms an inven-
tion which makes the collections of a lifetime look poor and out of
date ; but wliy, I ask, should not improvements be made in mount-
ing l)utte]'flies as well as in making shoes or in printing news})a[)ers ?
This is an age of invention. Everything is l)eing improved upon
where the ingeinuty of man can suggest improvement, and we are no
longer satisfied with the moss-grown methods of our grandfathers.
Go into almost any of our museums or natural history rooms, and
look at the collections of butterflies. Did one ever see anywhere
else such a miserable dis[)lay? Wings torn and worn, bodies
devoured by nniseum pests, and tlie whole so dusty that one can
scarcel}^ identity the species. Wliy, any able-bodied collector can
make and put u[> in one season at very small expense a collection
that will put to shame any of the exhibition collections in the
nuiseums of the country. Collections of insects can be made surpas-
singly beautiful and an ornament to the finest palace that man can
build. It is no discredit to a museum to have the best. It is a mis-
PREPARATIONS FOR A CABINET. 21
take to suppose that a collection need be slovenly in order to be
scientific. Science should be made attractive, and the Ijeauty of
wliich Nature is so lavish should not all be driven from our mu-
seums. Old curiosity shops for the storage of objects of natural
history should give place to magnificent l)uildings devoted to the
display of the rarest and most beautiful which Nature produces.
I will make no further excuse, therefore, for introducing my inven-
tion to the reader's notice, for, outside of my personal interest in the
matter, it is the only practical way known to me of mounting a col-
lection of lepidopterous insects.
Let us suppose, tlien, that the collector has been out with the net
and lias brouo-ht in an assortment of Ijutterflies for the besrinnino- of
a collection. These may be spread either when fresh, or, which is
simpler, ma}^ be placed in collecting papers and allowed to dry, and
when a number are procured, softened in the relaxing-box and then
spread. This latter method is preferable in many ways, the most
important being that the specimens having once been dried will dry
again very quickly, twenty-four hours usually being sufficient to
render tliem rigid, wliile if the insects are sprea-d in a fresh state they
may require from four days to two weeks to dry thoroughly.
THE RELAXING-BOX.
To make one, use a tight box, one foot square and five inches
deep, with a hinged cover; paint it inside and out with three coats
of house paint, and when thoroughly dry put into it two inches of
wet sawdust })ressed down flat. Make a light Avooden frame to fit
the inside of the box, stretch netting over it and secure it Avith two
or three brads an inch above the sawdust. When this is all ready
place the dried insects on the net, and in twenty-four houis they Avill
be soft enough to s[)read without l)reaking. The success of this
method de[)ends on having a tight box. The net on the frame does
not allow the insects to come in direct contact Avith the Avet saAvdust,
1)ut they absorb enough moisture to render them plial)le and are not
liable to become too Avet. Silk veiling makes an excellent article to
use on the frame in place of the net, as it is soft and fine. Water
should 1)6 added to the sawdust AvhencA^er it l)ccomes too dry. A
small quantity of powdered alum put into the Avater will ])revent the
sawdust from becoming mouldy.
22
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
A much simpler way, although to uiy thinking not so safe to use
with valual)le specimens, is to have a plain wooden box tilled with
wet sawdust in which deep grooves are made and the butterflies
placed body down in their papers in these grooves. One needs to be
careful not to have tlie sawdust too wet in this case as the insects are
liable to absorb too much water, which may injure their appearance.
After the insects have remained in the relaxing-box until plial)le
(tlie following method may also be used for fresli specimens), tliey
should be spread underside uppermost on smooth pine blocks; these
may be from four to six indies square and covered with smooth paper
Kelaxiiig-Box.
pasted to the face. Pin the insect to be spread tlnough tlie tliorax
(stout insect pins will be found best for this purpose) on the lilock
wnm.;/ side up ; spread the wings with fine needles ; lay strips of glass
on them ; secure the legs and aiiteniue in place witli pins : and allow
the specimen to dry, after wliioli it will lie found very flat and in ihe
right condition for mounting. Insects may be kept in this state in a
tight l)ox until the collector is ready to mount tliem in the talilets.
A good many insects, especially butterflies, show a marked differ-
ence betAveen the upper and under side of the wings. When it is
desired to show the under side, the insect should be spread on the
PREPARATIONS FOR A CABINET.
23
block rljilit side up and the glass strips j^^aced on the wings not far
from tlieir tips so as not to bend the wings too nuich. In spreading
a fresh insect the pin through tlie thorax must be removed at the
time of spreading, otherwise it will become so firmly attached that
the specimen may be broken in removing it. With an insect which
has once been dried this precaution is not necessary' as the pin may
be removed at any time.
A smooth paper or })alette knife will l)e found useful for 0})ening
the wings of the insects to be spread. Take the specimen in the left
hand between the thuml) and hnger, and after inserting the knife
between the winofs bend them down on each side. If all the insects
Insect Spread on Setting Block.
in a collection are spread so that the lower margins of the upper wings
are at right angles to an imaginaiy line drawn lengthwise through
the centre of the body the whole will look uniform and the beauty
of the individual insects will be shown to the best advantage. The
setting needles may be made more convenient to nse if the ends are
pushed into small wooden handles, match stubs for instance. If the
needles are too long, as is apt to be the case, break them in two and
use the ])oints oidy. For mending broken insects and replacing
detached antennae and legs, use white shellac. The appearance of
a specimen whose wings are sliglitly injured may be very nuicli
24 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
improved by fiisteiiing on the back with sbeUac a piece of another
butterfly wliich ma-tches it in color.
For liandling insects, use smooth broad-tipped forceps. If these
cannot be purcliased at a store where naturalists' supplies are kept,
Forceps for Handling Insects.
a pair may be made by an expert out of hard rubl)er or tortoise-shell.
I have known a pair of tin candy tongs to answer for forceps after
the tips were made flat and smooth.
PREPARING LARV^: AND PUPiE.
Collections where larvae and pupiB are added are enhanced two-
fold in their value from the standpoint of the naturalist. The weird
and varied forms with the remarkable coloring of some of the spe-
cies makes them exceedingly interesting when taken in connec-
tion with tlie fully developed insect. When it is remembered that
the active life of a l)utterfly is but a very few days at the most, and
tliat by far the greater })art of its existence is passt-d in the larval
state, the state when it is directly injurious to man's interests, one
can readily appreciate the importance of studying the insects at this
stage. Larvie are not easily prepared to look well in the cabinet, and
to make them look at all natural requires painstaking labor.
One method, which has been used with considerable success, is to
inflate and dry the skin of the larva after tlie contents have l)een
squeezed out through the anal opening. This is done by first killing
the larva in the poison jar, then laying it on soft paper or cloth and,
beginning at the head, rolling it gently toward the posterior end,
under a round lead-pencil woimd with soft canton-flannel or blotting-
pa,])er. When the skin is quite empty, insert a straw into the open-
ing and gently inflate the skin, at the same time turning it round over
PREPARATIOXS FOR A CAIUXI<7r. 25
a lighted lamp. A small spring of steel fastened to tlie end of the
straw in siieh a way that it may ^^I'event the slipping of the larva
skin as it is inflated will prove useful, and a little sheet-iron oven to
slip over the lamp, liaving snvall openings above and l)el()w, will pre-
vent the l)urning of the specimens as they dry. Many larva', espe-
cially the hairy ones, will look Avell if carefully [)repared in this way.
A considerable numljer though look anything l)ut like the natural
caterpillar.
I have tried anotlier method Avith success, \\hich, I'ecpiiriiig little
more skill, is mtich more satisfactory in its results. Treat the cater-
pillar the same as if it were to l)e inflated with air, btit instead, inject
into it hot parafline or beeswax, cohu'ed to resemble the contents of
the natural insect. This is done as follows: Proctire at the drug
store a small collapsible rtibber syringe (the l)all and tnbing connected
with an atonuzer for perfttme will answer as well), and into the open-
ing insert a piece of small brass tubing, having a small steel spring
attached to hold tlie larva. Ptircliase a (juantitv of paraitine or
white beeswax, put it in a tin witli boiling water, and when melted
add tlie proper coloring by mixing with it oil colors from a collapsi-
ble tube, such as are made by Winsor & Newton and procural)le at
any store where artist's materials are sold. Now draw boiling water
up into the syringe a few times until it is thoroughly warmed, and
then qttickly fill it with the hot parafline and inject the skin of the
caterpillar (which should have been previously placed in warm Avater)
to its normal size. If tlie larva is noAV put into cold Avater it Avill
soon harden and AAill keep its shape. If the parafline is of the right
color, the resemblance to the natural insect will be very striking.
Specimens treated in this way are hard but are not nearly so brittle
as those inflated and dried Avith hot air.
Of course, either method reipiires some careful manipulation ;
btit Avith a little practice the results, especially Avitli the })aratTHne, are
encouiuging. The reseml)lance to the natural caterpillar Avill be still
nearer if the skin can l)e painted whereA^er warts and s[»ots occur.
These are frequently red or l)lue, Avliile the general surface is green.
But this belongs more to the professional, and skilful painting can
hardly be expected from the amateur.
The chi^salides and cocoons of different kinds are not difficult to
preserve and tisually look pretty well if sim[)ly dried. Some of tlie
translucent chiysalides will Ije improved if the contents are taken out
at the back and the space filled with colored wax or paratfine.
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
tup: cabinet.
Cabinets may l)e made in a variety of ways with drawers large or
small, but they need not be more than one inch deep inside. Bass-
wood makes a nice cal>inet as the wood is very light and does not
warp so badly as many other woods. The front of the drawers and
the front, top and sides of the case may be made of some hard wood,
such as oak or cherry, Avhich will take a handsome polish. A useful
cabinet, and one wliich looks well, too, may 1)6 made of the following-
dimensions : Four feet six inches high, four feet wide, and two feet
six inches deep from front to back. Two doors in front and a double
row of drawers from top to bottom. However, the cabinet should
correspond with the owner's taste and ^\•hat it is intended to illus-
trate. One may have a very small cabinet and yet with room to
spare whicli will contain tlie ci'cam of the butterflies of the world.
A good many, in fact nearly all Imtterflies will fade perceptibly if
exposed to the light for years, and some of the most delicately tinted
motlis lose all their beauty if so exposed for a short time. Therefore
they must be protected from the light.
Shallow wooden boxes answer nicel}' for storing the collection
temporarily. These may be made very inexpensive, and look well if
of uniform size. To own a handsome cabinet for his collection
should be the aim of every collector.
HOW TO MAKE A COLLECTION. 27
HOW TO MAKE A COLLECTION.
COLLECTING BUTTERFLIES.
To make a successful collector of diurual lepidoptera requires
agility and a practised eye. One soon learns to manipulate the net
so as to capture the specimens on the wing almost exclusively. This
is preferable as the net is less liable to be torn and the insects are
taken in more perfect condition than when captured while at rest.
After capturing a butterfly and retaining it in a fold of the net,
carefully place its wings together back to back, and give the thorax
a sharp pinch between the thumb and finger. This will in most
cases render the insect inactive and it may be turned out and into
the poison jar without injury. It is a good plan to put the speci-
mens in collecting papers before placing them in the poison jar if
they are large and fine, as this will protect tliem from injury by
rubbing together. Another scheme which answers admirably is to
place small pieces of tissue paper over the specimens as they are
put into the poison jar, so that fresh additions may not injure the
ones already captured. There will be little necessity to touch the
wings of specimens with the fingers when once accustomed to the
work ; and as more damage is likely to be done at the time of col-
lecting than at any other, care in handling will make a marked dif-
ference in the appearance of the collection as a whole. It will
rarely be necessary to run much for the insects one desires to capture,
for by watching favorable opportunities the}^ may be swept into the
net with little more than a few quick steps and a rapid movement of
the hand in guiding the net. Some butterflies, however, fly long dis-
tances when once on the wing, and one will sometimes get a long run
and a glorious sweat in making such a capture. One soon learns to
distinguish, while the insects are flying, between fresh specimens and
those which are worn or torn ; and this, it is scarcely necessary to
say, will save the collector many needless steps. Collecting with
the net may be commenced very early in the spring, as some species
make their appearance before the snow is all gone and from that time
on one may find new species coming out every few days.
Low, grassy meadows, Avith clumps of bushes, are generally favor-
ite haunts of many butterflies. The different species of Argynnis,
28 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
PliilcloiJei< tJiaros, MeVtfa'n phaeton, Limenitls disippus, iS<ifi/rus (dope,
Neunijnipha (-((ufhus, witli two or three species of tlie genus ThecJa
iuid many moths, are found in such localities. As the ground is
fi'equentl}' ver}- wet in such places, one must go prepai-ed or else
put up with wet feet. The butterflies to be found in the upland
fields are among the most common we have, Pieris j-apce, Colias
2jhilodice, Clirysoplumus americana, Pyramels hwitera, Pyrameis
cardui, Pyrameis atalanta, Dayiais archippus, etc., being lovers of the
open fields. Fields of clover and patches of milkweeds and thistles
are particularly attractive to the specues named.
I well rememl)er a neglected pasture where thistles and milkweeds
grew in scattered clumps, where I have passed many an hour with
good success. Pyrameia huntera, P. eardui, P. atalanta, Danais arcliip-
jms, and several smaller butterflies flew from blossom to blossom, and
were sometimes so intent on extracting honey that 1 picked them off
the flowers with my fingers. The hours between ten in the morning
and three in the afternoon were the most favorable, and beautiful
fresh specimens Mere to l)e found there almost every day. Such a
locality, if known to a collector, will furnish him with a great many
splendid insects. Among such a number one need take ojily the
most beautiful and perfect, and tlie dujdicates can be used in ex-
chanofe witli foreign collectors for tlieir treasures.
Roadways and along In-ooks and rivers are sometimes excellent
localities for collecting. Butterflies seem to like to fly along roads
and running streams, particularly the Papllios, Livienifis arthemies
and L. ursida. They will also sometimes congregate on the muddy
banks of rivers or about muddy pools in the road where a dozen
or more may be taken by one sweep of the net. Several spe-
cies are in tlie habit of visiting barnyards, and decaying sweet apples
and pears are an irresistible bait for Limenitis msida, Grrapta inter-
royationis, Grapta j-allnon, Vanesi<a antiopa, Pyrameis atalanta and
Yanesm, inilherti.
In the town of jMentor, O., where I passed a portion of my child-
hood, there was an old cider-mill, and from the time the first sweet
apples arrived and were crushed until late in the fall, on every fine
day, clusters of butterflies could be seen resting on the heaps of
refuse and eagerly sipping the half-fermented cider. What a place
that was for a boy Avith a net I I have seen twenty Liuieiiitis ii/sida,
resting on one heap of " ap})le chankins," opening and closing
their purple and black wings in the sunshine, while several other
HOW TO MAKE A COLLECTION. 29
species of handsome butterflies were no less numerous. At the
approach of any one they rose in a swarm, some resting on the
sides of the old mill, wliilu others continued to fly until the danger
was past and then settled once more to the feast. It would he diffi-
cult to tell Avhich occupied the greater part of my attention, the but-
terflies or the cider. Suffice it to say, that both I and my collecting-
jar went home pretty nearly full after a few hours passed at tlie old
cider-mill.
The tops of liills and low mountains are frequented by butterflies ;
and often when the sides of a hill are poor in l)otli species and indi-
viduals, they will be found plentifully on the tops, especially if there
is a cleared space in the forest occupied with shrubs and bushes
where they may fly about. At such times they may be seen flying
in regular circuits, and two or three will often cliase each other up
into the air until they are almost lost to view.
I remember sueli a hill near Sonora in C'alifoinia. Starting with
a fellow-collector early in the morning of May 15th, we arrived
at the top of the hill al)ont nine o'clock. We had seen few butter-
flies on tlie way up ; l)ut on reaching the top, we found them in
hundreds. The air was filled with them, they rested in dozens on
every bush. There were not a great many species, perhaps not more
than seven or eight kinds in all ; l)ut of these we could have taken
almost any number, and I caught two cigar boxes full of perfect
specimens — perhaps two hundred and fifty insects — before dinner
time. A large number were imperfect; and we found a good many
dead and dying ones on the rocks and ground. The lizards and ants
were making great havoc among the weak and sickly ones, and the
ground was littered with their wings. Why they had so congregated
I cannot imagine. The gentleman with whom I went informed me
that he had found them in this place several years in succession, at
the same season of year.
The different species of Parnassius are mountain-inhabiting but-
terflies, and are usually found far up on the sides of high mountains.
We have several mountain Imtterflies which aj'e to be found upon
the bare and inhos})itable tops of the White INIountains in New
Hampsliire. ^Mountain valleys are usually ver}^ rich in butterflies ;
and on a ]'oad traversing such a valley the collector will sometimes
find a veritable paradise for his labors.
Some butterflies are very combative, and will give chase to every
flj'ing ol)ject that comes in their neighborhood. They will even fol-
30 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
low to near the earth anything Avhich is tlirown into the air ; and
often I have captured insects which persisted in alighting far out of
the reach of my net, by throwing my hat in the air and taking them
as they followed it down.
When collecting in the woods where butterflies aj-e wild and fly
high, one may materially increase his captures by using a decoy, by
pinning a dead specimen with its wings spread, in a conspicuous
place, the top of a low bush with the leaves stripped off, for instance,
and, standing ready with the net, the butterflies may be taken as they
fly down and hover over the decoy. A live decoy may be used in the
same mannei- by tying a thread around the body of the insect between
the abdomen and the thorax and allowing it to flutter about where it
can be readily seen. This method I have used very successfully in
tropical countries to capture the superb but wild and high flying
PapiUos and the gorgeous Ornitliopteras. I have sometimes been
obliged to shoot with a shotgun tlie first specimen for a decoy. A
piece of cardboard painted to resemble a butterfly I have seen
answer for a decoy, and it has the advantage of durability.
Of some species of Initterflies tlie males will be found to out-
number the females three to one or more in the specimens taken.
Tliat there really are so many more males than females I very much
doubt, as in rearing specimens from the eggs or the hirvte the sexes
seem pretty evenly divided ; but })Ossibly, on account of the males
being more active and flying more in the open or being frequently
more showy, the collector will almost invaria])ly take more males
than females of a given species. This discrepancy is shown in the
catalogues of those who have butterflies for sale, where the females
of some species are often two or three times the price of the males.
The females are usually much larger than the males, and are
sometimes, though rarely, richer in their coloring. The males of
some species may readily be distinguished from the females by not-
ing tlie chis})ers on the end of the abdomen of tlie former. The
females frecpiently have larger bodies than the males, their abdomens
being distended Avitli eggs. There are a good many kinds, however,
wliere these distinctions are not readily seen and the sexes are diffi-
cult to separate. In some species the sexes very closely resemble
each other, while in others they differ so much as to look like totally
different insects. Take Argynnh cyhele and Vanessa antiopa as
examples of the former, and Safiiniia to and Attacus prcnuctJu'a as
representatives of the latter.
HOW TO MAKE A COLLECTION. 31
For a collector to capture one liundred species of butterflies in a
day in some parts of Mexico, Golumhia or Brazil is not an unheard-of
thing ; but here we have to be contented with a much smaller variety,
and to take ten or twelve kinds in good condition is a good daj^'s col-
lecting.
WHEN butterflip:s are most abundant.
June, and the latter part of August and the first of September
are the best times of the year for collecting in the United States,
although many kinds are to be taken at otlier times.
Between the latter part of June and the first of August there
is generall}" a dearth of specimens, except of the different kinds of
Argynnis, whicli are most abundant al)0ut the middle of July. This
does not apply to the mountain districts, as excellent collecting may
be had in tlie vicinity of Mt. Washington, N. IL, the Berkshire Hills,
jNIass., the Adirondacks, N. Y., Blue Ridge, Va., and the Ozark
Mountains, Ark. in July, Avhere a dozen species of butterflies will be
found in their prime at that season. The reaf?on for this scarcity of
butterflies when one might expect to find them most numerous is
that the first brood has all hatched and gone, and the second is at
that time still growing in the larval state. A collector may go out
Avith his net at such a time and be well-nigh disgusted at the poverty
of a locality which at former seasons has yielded him a fair harvest
for his labors. How dull and uninteresting are the fi,elds of grass
and clover where not even a common yellow Colias or a white Pieris
flits across the landscape to gladden his eyes. Plenty of moths inay
be had at this season, but the butterflies are scarce.
I am often asked by persons interested, '' How long does a butter-
fl}" live? "' My answer is : '' Some species only a few daj's, or a week
or two at the most ; some hibernate and live in a dormant state sev-
eral months, but their life of activity is very short ; a butterfly is at
its best only two or three days."
32 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
COLLECTING MOTILS.
AS.SEMBLIXG.
This name is given to a nietliod of hriiigiiig together iiiiinl)ers
of the males of any species of insect l)y tlie aid of a virgin female of
the same or an allied species.
The different species of the family Bomh;/.r may l)e ix-adily assem-
bled, and a more interesting ex])erience to an enthusiastic collector
can scarcely be imagined. Some of the species assembled witli little
difficnlty are among our lai'gest and most handsome moths. Saturnia
io^ Teh'a pidiiplicnutx^ Arfi((!< huta., Atfaru.s proinctliia., Saturnia
nuda, etc., are all easily asseml)led, tlie method of procedare being
as follows : Take a Adrgin female a few houi's after slie has hatched
from the cocoon, antl place her in a, bag made of moscpiito netting.
Hanpf the bao- out of doors on the limb of a tree or other suitable
place, and have a light near enough so that yon may see the males
wlien they arrive. A warm, dark niglit with a liglit l)reeze blowing
will l)e found most productive ; and when the males begin to congre-
gate, the collector will be busy indeed if he manages to catch and
take care of half the specimens that come. Sometimes tliey make
tlieir a[)pearance early in the evening, at other times latei-, and one
must do liis best Avhen the dance begins.
An experiment wliich a friend of mine assured me he had tried
witli excellent success was on a warm afternoon to take the captive
female with Inm on a raml)le through the forests and fields, making a
circuit of two or three miles al)out his home, and on returning hang
tlie moth out of doors near his liouse as usual. lie said he had ver}'^
good reason to tliink that the males in flying about in the evening
came across the scent left by the female as he carried lier, and on fol-
lowing it up arrived at his house, Avhere he was on the lookout for
them. His success leads me to recommend tliis nu'thod to tlie col-
lector, as my friend evidently })uts a great deal of faith in it.
Atfdcus pi'omethta and Satuniix imda are day flyei's, and usually
assemble best on warm afternoons, when they may sometimes be
taken by dozens. It frequently happens that the first night after
hatching a female will not attract the males at all, wliile they will
come in numbers the second night. A good deal seems to depend
COLLECTING JNIOTHS. 33
on tlie condition of the atmosphere ; for on some nights the scent
does not seem to travel well, and on others it must go for miles, judg-
ing bj the number of specimens tliat follow it up. It is a fine sight
and one worth losing half a night's sleep, to see these great moths,
from two to a dozen at a time, circlino- about the trees or alio-htino-
on the grass, all eager to pay liomage to the gentle lad}^ in the net.
She generally remains quiet or gives her wings a gentle tremulous
motion, presumably to attract lier dilatory lover, whom she has good
reason to suspect lias deserted lier for some otlier fair virgin.
One particular evening when we were boys, my brother and I
stayed up nearly all night capturing the moths tliat came to one
captive female, Telea j^olyphemus. My motlier came out about mid-
nigb.t to tell us tliat we must stop and go to bed; l)nt she became so
interested that she not only gave her consent to our remaining at the
work, but actually got her net and joined in tlie excitement. We
took something over two hundred perfect specimens of the males
that night. It is a splendid way to capture large and fine s})ecimens
for the cabinet, and also to get series showing variety of coloring.
To see Acti<v< hcna., that lovely pea-green gem of the night,
assemble in numbers, is an experience not soon forgotten. The
female of this species should be taken to the edge of a forest con-
taining walnut or birch trees and placed in 2)Osition before dark.
One must keep a constant watch over the prisoner, as birds and bats
think of entomological specimens only as savory morsels for a meal,
and will not scruple to tear the net open to get at tlie prize, as I have
known them to do on several occasions much to my disgnst.
But to go on with the methods for collecting : Take a lantern, a
net and a poison jar, with a Ixix or a small satchel and plenty of
papers. If the night is favorable and the female in the right condi-
tion to give off the scent, a very interesting time may be expected.
The moths are so light colored that they look almost white in the
light of the lantern, and as they flutter down from the trees to
Avliere the female is held captive one will almost hold his breatli for
fear of frightening them. They are not wild, however, and do not
seem to notice the collector and his net and lantern.
Cats and skunks take advantage of such chances of procuring a
meal, and I remember once having left out all night a female moth
in a net, and looking out in the morning to see iny lawn strewn with
the winofs of hundreds of moths wliich the cats had killed and eaten.
MOTHS AND BUTTEIIFLIES.
COLLFXTIXG WITH A LAMP.
Oil warm, moonless nights, especially if cloudy, moths are
attracted toward a briglit light, and many insects rarely seen at
other times may be taken in this way. A second-story window over-
looking lawns and cultivated fields, not far from forest trees, makes
a good place to try. The lamp should l)e one wliich gives a large
and brilliant light and be placed on the window-sill with the window
wide open, so that the moths may come into the room, wliere they
may Ije taken witli a small net or captured in the poison jar as they
rest on the walls or the ceiling. A piazza or balcony with a lamp
on a table will sometimes be found to answer the purpose well. In
that case place the table and lamp against the side of the house, so
that the moths as they fly al)Out will alight on tlie clapljoards near
the lamp, where they may be easily captured. The side of tlie liouse
away from the wind will be found most favorable for this mode of
collecting.
Tlie good nights for taking moths in this way are not numerous,
and one must make the most of them Avhen they come. Collecting
in this manner may be carried on from early May till late in October
if the weather is favorable, different species making their appear-
ance at different times. The variety thus to be collected is almost
endless, and comprises moths from the minute micro-Jejndojjtera up to
the giants of the race, six or seven inches in expanse of Avings. One
soon learns to recognize the different species by their modes of flight,
as they bump their heads on the ceiling of the room in tlieir strange
bewilderment. When some much-prized moth enters, close the
window, as 1 have known many a flue specimen to cliange his mind
about adorning one's cabinet with his precious body and fly out of
the open window much faster than lie came in. To lose a rare and
beautiful moth is a keen disappointment to an enthusiastic collector,
and such a mishap may often be avoided if this simple precaution be
taken.
One may sometimes make grand ca[)tures about electric lights,
even in cities, by visiting them on warm summer evenings with the
net and poison jar. Sphinx moths, which rarely come to a lamp,
will often be seen flying in wide circles about the electric arc lights ;
they are then not veiy sliy and may be easily taken.
COLLECTING MOTHS. 35
While employed in Washington, D. C, I made a splendid collec-
tion of the moths of that region simply by going the rounds of a
number of electric lights every evening. The lamps aljout the
Treasury Building were sometimes very productive of fine specimens
and the broad stone steps and pillars were frequently littered with
moths, May flies, beetles, etc., where one could stand and pick out
his desiderata with little difficulty. I captured several of the Regal
Walnut moths (CitJieronia regalis') and a number of our largest and
handsomest sphinxes. Besides making the acquaintance of a num-
ber of insects new to me, I met several entomologists who, like my-
self, had been attracted to the lights by the abundance of specimens.
SUGARING.
A favorite manner with many collectors of taking specimens is
by sugaring or smearing trees, posts, etc., with a strong mixture of
rum and molasses, and taking the half-intoxicated moths with the
poison jar. This method may be successfully practised during the sum-
mer and autumn and will add many new species to the collection.
The mode of proceeding is as follows : Get a pint of strong, dark
molasses and boil it down until it is as thick or thicker than ordinary
house-paint or gruel. To this add a quantity of rum, whiskey or
other strong alcoholic liquor. Care should be taken, however, not to
put in enough to make the mixture too thin or watery. After tying
a rag on the end of a stick, by way of a brush, the collector is ready
to sally forth. Select a locality not far from the woods, and before
dark smear the trunks of trees, fence-posts, etc., with the mixture.
At dusk the moths will begin to arrive, and the collector, pro-
vided with a lantern and a poison bottle, should go the rounds.
If the locality is a good one and the niglit favorable, numbers of
motlis in all stages of intoxication, from " mildly hilarious " to " com-
fortably drunk," or even blissfully ignorant of everything about
them, and too far gone to be able to wind up their extended tongues
will be found about the bait. They are at these times easily taken,
simply by placing the poison bottle under them and knocking them
into it.
Many Noctuidce and Plialcenidce come to sucli bait, and I know
of no better manner of procuring the different species of the
large and handsome Catocala. Most species of this genus may be
36 MOTHS AND BUTTEKFLIES.
taken in tliis manner from tlie middle of Angust until cold weather.
It is useless to try this bait where flowers are al)undant, and nioths
will not come on cool or windy nights. The same trees may be
smeared night after night Avith good results. A small box contain-
ino- sheets of cotton l)attino- cut to fit it is very useful for this mode
of collecting. After a number of moths are captured in the poison
jar, they may be turned out into the l^ox and carried safely liome
between the sheets of cotton. It is best not to allow the moths to
remain too long in the poison jar, as they are apt to rub their scales
off, very much injuring their appearance.
COLLECTING ABOUT WILLOW BLOSSOMS AND GARDEN
ELOWERS.
When the catkins of the willows are in bloom they attract a great
many moths ; and the collector provided with a bull's-eye light ami a
poison jar may reap a lich harvest in rare Noctuida' on uarm s})ring
evenings. So intent on the repast are many of the moths that the
net will seldom be needed. I have in mind one near-by locality
where, after a warm day in spring, the moths may be collected by
dozens on the willow catkins.
Many species of l)oth butterflies and moths are attracted by
fragrant flowers. The lilac, })hlox, petunia, syringa, pink and many
other common garden flowers are resorted to l)y Imtterflies and da}'-
flying sphinx moths in the daytime, and by moths of many kinds at
dusk and late into the iiight. A bull's-eye lantern and a net are
needed for their capture after dark. Some of our largest and hand-
somest insects may be captured in this wa^^ as they remain poised on
the wing, tongue extended, extracting the nectar from the flowers.
Some of tlie sphinx moths are verj- shy, and are lial)le to leave if the
rays of the lantern are tui-ned directly on them. They are apt to
flutter a great deal after l)eing captured in the net, so that they
should be taken out and quieted as soon as possil)le, else they may
ruin tlieir appearance endeavoring to escape.
I liave taken in this manner in a single evening over forty s}>liinx
moths, re[)resenting eiglit species, near one bed of phlox. In some
localities I have no doul)t that this luunber can be exceeded, or
even doubled, l)y one wlio understands the ca[)ture of these line
insects.
COLLECTING MOTHS. 37
COLLECTING CATOCALA.
Catocala are sometimes found in numbers in the forest on the
trunks of trees ; and when a eolleetor is fortunate enough to run
across such an assembhige he should make the most of the opportun-
ity, as it is not likely to occur very often in one's experience. The dif-
ferent species of catocala so closel}' resemble in color and markings
the bark of certain trees, that it is next to impossible to see them.
Oak groves seem to be their favorite haunt, and the tree trunks for
the space of an acre or two are sometimes well peopled with them.
The}^ are so shy that one must use the greatest caution in their cap-
ture. They are best taken by })lacing the mouth of the poison jar
over them as they lie with folded wings feeling secure in their strik-
ing adaptability in color to the moss-covered bark. Many species may
sometimes be taken in one locality ; but they are all wild and ver}^
rapid flyers, so that it is difficult to capture them on the wing. It is
best not to undertake their capture with the net for another reason :
I refer to their liability of injuring themselves in their desperate
efforts to escape. A poor specimen is little better than none at all
for exhibition purposes ; in fact, I regard one really beautiful, per-
fect specimen nicely mounted, of more value than one dozen worn
and mutilated ones. To view a collection of hft}^ hue and perfect
insects will give a naturalist more pleasure than to look over a Avhole
cabinet full of rul)ljish collected with no care and mounted in a slov-
enly manner.
The greatest care is necessary in handling the catocala as their
scales come off with a touch, leaving bare and unsightly patches.
Catocala cara and C. concumhens are often found under bridges over
rivers and brooks, hanging back downwards from the boards or
stones. One bridge a mile from ni}^ liome has furnished me with
many excellent specimens of the two species named ; and I rarely go
there in the season but I find from ten to thirty of tliese insects. It
is useless to look for tlieni in sucli localities before the middle of
August. The same species may also be found on tlie underside of
tree trunks which overhang the water.
The catocala often frequent I'ocky ledges and stone walls where
the gray color of the upper wings of some species harmonize with
their surrounding's.
38 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
GATHERING CHRYSALIDES AND COCOONS.
The larviE of many moths go into the ground to pupate, where
they remain (many of them) during the winter. At the approach
of warm weather they work their Avay to near the surface where the
perfect insect can easily find its way out. At such times they are
easily found by raking over the fallen leaves under the trees in close
proximity to their trunks. Scattered groves of large trees are likely
localities in which to hunt for chrysalides in this manner ; and pines,
oaks, poplars, willows, elms, etc., are reasonably sure to furnish treas-
ure for the searching.
A stout, forked stick makes a good tool with which to work, and
a box containing leaf mould answers well for a depositor}^ for the
specimens, in which they may be left until the flies emerge. The
cocoons of a variety of moths may be found attached to the twigs of
the trees on which the larvie feed, after the leaves have fallen in the
autumn. Wild cherry and sassafras will sometimes be found with a
number of cocoons attached, while oaks, elders, l)irches, maples, and
numerous other trees and shrubs will each yield their reward for dil-
igent search. The naked chrysalides of butterflies are often attached
to fences, walls and houses besides the stems of the food plants of the
larva. The chrysalides of many butterflies are exceedingly diliticult to
find, and with some species it is only by most diligent search that
success may l)e attained. If one wants to make a tiial, let him begin
with one of our most connnon butterflies, Colias i)]iilodiee, Avhich
abounds everywhere in fields and meadows in summer. See how
many hours of patient exploration are necessary to hnd the first
chrysalis ; while to locate in the pupa state Argifnnis idalia, Meli-
tcea plici'toii^ Limenitis Ursula, Papillo turnus and others of our well-
known butterflies may require many days of study and careful search.
TO REAR SPECIMENS FROM THE EGG OR THE LARVA.
Many species of lepidopterous insects are easily reared from the
egg or the larva.
One may procure the eggs of some butterflies and moths simply
by enclosing in mosquito netting a fertilized female with a branch of
the plant upon which the larvae feed. Some insects, however, cannot
COLLECTING MOTHS. 39
be induced to lay their eggs in this manner ; and sometimes it is
only by watching the female at liberty depositing her eggs that they
ma}^ be had at all. J\Iany of the eggs are smaller than the head of a
doWs pin, and are frequently attached to the underside of the leaves
of the food plant, so tiiat diligent and careful search is necessary to
find them. ^lost of them are covered when first laid with a gum or
varnish which when dry securely fastens them to tlie objects upon
which they are deposited.
The number of eggs laid by a single female varies from one hun-
dred to five or six hundred or more, according to the species. They
are often laid singly, es})ecially b}' the butterflies ; but a large num-
ber of the moths deposit their eggs in a compact patch and in regular
rows so close together that they touch each otlier on all sides.
The eggs deposited during the warm days of summer soon hatch,
while those of autunni remain unclianged until the following spring.
The heat of summer and the cold of winter seems to have no
injurious effect upon the eggs of butterflies and moths ; and if it
were not for the army of c]-eatures whose life work it is to keep these
hosts in check, every green thing in the way of vegetation on the face
of tlie earth would be devoured.
Just before hatching, an egg frequently assumes a leaden hue,"
and the 3'oung larva eats his way out of his prison and escapes, often
devouring before he goes the egg-shell winch has slieltered him. At
this stage the larva is frequently very unlike the mature caterpillar.
He should now be placed in a glass jar with an inch or two of moist
loam at the bottom, with young and tender leaves of the food plant.
He will have a sufficiency of air if the cover is kept on, and the
leaves will be kept fresh longer. Care should be taken not to place
the jar where the direct rays of the sun will shine on it, as the tem-
perature may become too great. One may inti'oduce into the jar a
small bottle of water, holding the leaves if this is desired ; but the
mouth should be })lugged with cotton or the larva may fall into it
and be drowned. The caterpillar will grow ra[)idly, and will require
a good deal of fresh food. For this reason it is best when it is one-
third grown to place it on a branch of its food plant and enclose the
whole in mosquito netting.
In rearing quantities of larvpe a barrel without either head may
be placed over a bush and all the branches brought u[) through the
top. Then after enclosing the branches which protrude in mos-
quito netting and introducing the larvae to be reared, fasten the
40 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
netting securely round the top of the barrel. This simplifies the
rearing of larvte and gives them conditions almost exactly the same
as they enjoy in a free state. A great manj^ specimens may be reared
at one time in this simple manner.
If the insects are earth-loving s[)ecies and desire to complete their
transformations in the ground, tliey must have an o[)portunity to do
so, and should Ije placed in a box with loam when fully grown.
Many will spin cocoons, others will attach their naked chrysalides
to the twigs of the food plant. Great care must l)e taken with the
larvtC to protect them from their natural enemies, the ichneumon flies,
which are constantl}' on the watch for an opportunity to deposit their
eggs in or on them. For this reason they should not be exposed out
of doors unless covered Avith fine-meshed netting.
The cocoons ma}' be kept in a wooden box in the cellar during
tlie winter months. The naked pupa, including tliose which have
transformed in the soil, may b(^ placed in tin cans (ordinary fi'uit
cans will answer) without any soil or loam and kept in the cellar
also. These should have the covers put on to prevent the pupas
becoming too dry, as they are almost sure to do if not covered tight.
In this way their preservation is a simple matter, and their loss by
drying or mould is completely done away with. In the spring the
cocoons may be tied on strings and hung in the attic, where they will
hatcli witliout troul)le.
The naked pupse may also be removed to the attic and allowed to
remain in the tin cans until a short time before the fly should emerge,
when the pupte may be placed in a good-sized wooden box, on (not
in) damp earth, Avitli a few leaves covering tliem, and allowed to
hatch. Tlie box may be covered with netting to prevent the escape
of the perfect insects. A few twigs placed among the chrysalides
will enable the newly hatched flies to suspend themselves so that
their wings will develop in the normal manner.
CLASSIFICATION.
41
CLASSIFICATION.
TiiK followiiiii" order of classification, adopted mostly from that of Mr.
Henry Edwards, will be used in this work.
ORDER LEPIDOPTERA. Moths and Butterflies.
SuB-ORDKR Heterocera. The Moths.
pteropiiorjd^e
tinetda:
tortricid.e
pyralid^e
MK'Rf)-LKPIO(>rTi:RA ,
rUime Moths.
True Moths.
Leaf Rollers.
Snout Moths.
Macro-Lepidoptera.
GEOMETRID^E
NOCTUID^
BOMBYCID^
ZYG.ENID^
AEGERID^E
SPHINGID^E
Loopers or Spanners.
Owlets or Motli Millers.
Spinners.
Zyganids.
Glass-wings.
Dusk-flyers.
Sub-order Riiopalocera. The Butterflies.
HESPERID.E
LYCENID^E
SATYRID.E
NYMPHALUhE
PAPILIONID.E
Skippers.
Blues, Cojipcrs, Hairstreaks.
Wood Nymphs, Browns.
Angle Wings, Silver Spots.
Wliitelings, Yellows, Swallowtails.
42 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
HETEROCERA. The Moths.
In this group of insects the antenn[B are of various shapes, gener-
all}' terminating in a point, Avliile the wings are usually folded roof
shape over the abdomen when the insects are at rest.
Many of the species liave a bristle attached to the upper edge of
the hind wing near the body Avhicli fits into a loop in the lower edge
of the upper wing for the purpose of holding the wings together dur-
ing iiight. By turning the insect upside down and spreading its
Avings the bristle and loop may be readily seen.
Many of tlie species are extremel}' minute, the aid of a micro-
scope being necessary to study them, wliile a few are gigantic in
comparison, being among the largest and grandest insects known.
jNIany are plain in color or their coloring is soft and blended,
while a few rival the gayest and richest butterflies. Most of the
species fly l)y night, a few love the hottest sunslnne, wliile others
prefer the dusk of morning and evening.
Their geographical range is very great. They abound in the
tropics in countless myriads while species of this group liave l)een
seen in the cold and barren wastes of the most northern polar lands.
They are found in every land and under all conditions of climate,
either as tlie perfect insect or as the (^g^^ larva or clnysalis.
Some species make cocoons in which to pupate ; many burrow in
the ground or hide under leaves in the forest.
JNIost of the caterpillars of moths feed on the leaves of plants,
some in tlie stems and trunks of trees, Avliile some devour fruits.
The small kinds, probably best known to the thrifty housewife, de-
vour Avoollens, feathers and furs.
Tlie moths outnumber the butterflies many times and between
five and six thousand species are natives of America north of Mexico.
These insects are nearly all, except the silk producers, directly
injurious to man's interests ; the })arasites and insectiverons birds
and mammals keeping these vast hosts in check.
MICRO-LEPIDOPTERA.
48
MICRO-LEPIDOPTERA.
A few only of the innumerable sj^ecies belonging to tlie four
groups representing the niicro-lepidoptera will ].)e mentioned and fig-
ured in this work. Tlie detailed study of these minute creatures
belongs to the specialist, and even he can only hope to become well
acquainted with tlie species of a few genera.
PTEROPHORIDM.
The PterophorliJa\ or plume moths, liave the wings divided into
plumes or featliers. Their bodies and legs are slim, and tlie creat-
ures are so delicate as to be difficult to capture and preserve with-
out injury. jNIost of these insects are night flj'ers and may be met
Avitli from early in the spring till late in tlie fall.
Various Forms of Phime Moths.
The cateip)illars are haiiy and spin no cocoon, changing to a
naked chrysalis suspended from the end of the abdomen. The
chrysalides of some species of tliese moths are also hairy.
I /
Pteropborus pi'iitadactylus.
The white plume moth (PterojiJionis pentaJacfi/Iu-^) is not a com-
mon insect in the Ivist, but I have taken it on a few occasions with a
lamp in June and July, and have seen it often in Northern Ohio and
Virginia in those months. It flies slowly and is so exceedingly
44 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
fragile lliat tlie greatest care is necessary in haiKlliiig it. The larva
is said to feed on tlie tender leaves of tlie convolvulus ; but I have
never seen it and know nothing of its habits. The moth has an ex-
panse of wing of about seven-eighths of an inch in a good-sized speci-
men, but is often smaller. The upper wings are two-lobed or
plumed, and the hind wings three. The insect is often a pure
silvery white. Sometimes, however, its wings are sprinkled with a
few gray scales. Tlie legs of the moth are so long, and it stands so
high when at rest, that it bears a sliglit resemblance to a crane fly,
and would hardly be thought to be a moth at all by the novice.
We have a number of species belonging to this family but this is
one of tlie largest and most easily recognized.
Alucita Lexadactyla.
The six-plumed moth QAluclta hexadactyla) is a common Amer-
ican species, being also found in Europe. Its expanse of wing is
about half an inch, and each wing is six-plumed, being yellowish-
gray in color with lii'own markings, and a l)lack dot at the end of
each feather or lobe. The caterpillar feeds on the flowers of the
honeysuckle, is of a reddish-salmon color, and, unlike most of the
other species of this group, spins a silken cocoon. The moth is said
to hibernate during the winter.
TINEID^E.
The Tincida' are mostly very small moths, and tlie number of
species belonging to the group is very large. ]\Iany of these insects
are gayly, some magnificently, colored ; but a microscope is needed
to see their Ijeauty. Their wings are narrow and pointed, and are
fringed with long delicate liairs. The larvpe of these moths are
minute creatures ; and many of them are leaf miners, so called
because they burrow in the leaves just below the surface, and make
long and crooked passages widening as they advance. Some species
bore in plant stems, some attack grain stored in houses, some mine in
the roots of })lants, some few produce galls, and some make sad
havoc in our houses among woollen goods or feathers, if left where
they can procure access to them.
MICRO-LEPIDOPTERA. 45
Tinea fiavifrontella, — the common clothes moth, is found in our
houses in summer, and may frequently be seen fl3ang about our apart-
ments at night. It is of a light yellowish color and has a silky
appearance.
Tinea tlavifroiitella.
The larva is wliitish and does great damage to woollens, using the
material on which it feeds to make its pupa case.
Numerous moth destroyers are used to exterminate this pest.
Camphor, naphthaline, benzine, snuff and corrosive sublimate may be
all used with effect ; but connnon kerosene oil is perhaps the simplest,
cheapest and most effective. When woollens are to be put away for
the summer, sprinkle kerosene oil profusely in the bottom of the trunk
or box in whicli they are to be packed and after it is filled lay over the
goods a paper satui'ated with it and close the whole up tight. When
it is desired to use the clothes once more, a few hours' exposure to the
air and sunshine Avill remove all smell of the kerosene.
Tiuea granella.
Tinea granella is a creamy-white moth with brown markings on
tlie upper Avings one-half an inch in exposure, and the larvae live in
our granaries, where they entail great loss if left undisturbed.
The female moth lays its eggs upon the grains of wheat, and the
worms eat their way into the grains, reducing them to shells and
binding masses of them together with their webs. The larva, accord,
ing to Curtis, makes a cocoon composed of web and wood-pulp in
which it hibernates during the winter, changing to a chrysalis in the
spring and soon after emerging a moth.
Hyponoineuta millepuiictatella.
In Hyponomeuta millepunctateUa the larvae are gregarious and
spin cocoons. The moth is three-fourths of an inch across the
46
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
expanded Aviiigs, the fore wings being white with bhick dots, the
hind wings dark gray.
Depressaria robiiiiella.
Depressarla rohinleUa. This moth expands three-fourths of an
inch. The head and fore wings are reddish-brown spotted Avith j-el-
low. The hind wings and body are gray. The green hirvse live on
the leaves of the loeust and spin their webs among the leaves drawing
them togetlier. They are very active creatures and in searching for
them by pulling their wel)S apart they are very liable to wriggle away.
The larvaj are said by Packard to })U})ate among fallen leaves on the
ground.
The genus Nepticula contains many very minute and yet many
very beautiful species. To this genus belong the smallest of all
known le})idopterous insects, many of tliem less tlian an eighth of
an inch in expanse of wing. The larvte of these minute insects
mine in the leaves of different species of trees.
T0RTRICIDJ3.
The leaf-rollers, so called because the larvae of most of tlie
species of this group of moths form the ends of leaves into rolls for
their protection, are a numerous family, represented by many species
in this countr3^
The fore wings of these moths are broad and are often brilliantly
colored, while the hind wings are usually sombre.
Some of the larger species are gregarious in the larval state,
uniting a number of leaves by webs, among which they feed and
Various Forms of Leaf-rollers.
finally pupate, leaving the empty shells of their chrj'salides protiud-
ing- from the webs.
MICIIO-LEPIDOPTERA.
47
Lozotoinia cercuiovorana is about one inch across the expanded
wings, which are of an ochre-yellow color crossed by brownish
mai'kings.
The larvae of these insects are gregarious and live on the leaves
of tlie choke-cherry, their unsightly nests with the yellowish-brown
shells of their chrysalides attached to the outside of tlie webs by their
posterior ends may frequently be seen by the roadside. The moths
often remain ad)out or u[)on the nests several da3's after hatching.
Lozotaeiiia cerasiovoraiia.
Lozotaenia rosaceaiia.
Lozotcenia rosaceana expands nearly an inch in a fine specimen.
Tlie fore wings are light brown crossed by bands of reddish-ljrown
and the hind wings are light yellowish brown. The hirva is said by
Packard to bind together the leaves of the rose, apple and straw-
berry with a few silken tlireads. The insect is double brooded, one
appearing in June and anotlier in August.
Antitliesia pruniana.
AntitJiesia j^runiana is five-eighths of an inch in expanse, and the
fore wings are marbled with black and lilac with white on the outer
portion. The larva lives on the plum, and is a native of Europe as
well as this country, doing considerable damage.
Caipocapsa iiomoiiella.
('(irpocapsa pomoneUa is the famous coddling moth, the larv?e of
A\hich often does so rnucli damage to the ap})le and })ear crop, living
in the interior of the fruits and causing them to drop to the ground
when only partly grown. The motli is half an inch in expanse and
is dark brown in color.
48
MOTHS AND BUTTEi:FLir:S.
PYRALID.E.
The Pi/raJidce, or snout motlis, may l)e recognized hj the long
fore Avings, their long legs and elongated l)odies. Many of them
also have the palpi ver}^ much elongated, from which they derive
their common name. Some s})ecies are day fleers, others fly at dusk
and still others fly at night and are purely nocturnal. Some of them
are white and silvery in appearance, while their wings are bordered
Various Forms of Snout IMoths.
or streaked with l)an(ls of gold, otliers are gray or brown, often of a
silky lustre, while some are black with Avhite spots. While at rest
many species fold their wings close to and partly around the body,
giving tbem a tubular form. Many of tlie larv;e feed U[)on grass
and clover, while some devour tlie leaves of the grape, and one inter-
esting but ver}^ destructive species infests the coml) of the honey-bee
often ruiniup- all the condj in a liive.
Galeria cereana
This species, Galeria cereana, is gray and purplish-brown in
color, and the larvc'e pupates among the honey-condjs, Avhere it has
constructed its silken galleries. This insect is double brooded.
Crauibus giraiulellu.
Craiiihus f/lraiiiJcIIa is satin white Avitli a l)road gold band on tlie
fore wings. Tlie larva is whitish or gray, of a silky appearance and
feeds u[)on grass or clovei'. This insect is sometimes very abundant,
and I have seen tlie wliole front of a house where a l)rig]it light was
kept burning during the niglit so covered with this species as to look
silvery white at a distance of a few feet.
GEOMETIUDS.
49
GEOMETRID^E.
Loopers or Spanners.
The insects belonging to this group are easily distinguislied by
their slim bodies and broad thin wings, Avhich, when the insects are
at rest, are spread out flat, scarcely overlapping at the edges. The
coloring is usually soft and delicate in tone, being often brown, gray-
green or buff, crossed by darker Avavy lines. The antennae are often
feathery (pectinated) and the legs usually slim and long.
The larvffi, from which the group derives the name of Geomet-
ridce, or '^ earth measures," are readily distinguished from the larvaj
of all other moths by their peculiar mode of progression, which
is by bending the body into loops, thus giving tlie appearance of
measuring the ground over which they travel.
Larvpe of geometrid moths.
From four to six of the abdominal legs possessed by the larv?e of
most lepidoptera are wanting in this group, in consequence of which
the larvce of geometrids may be recognized at a glance. Many of
these larvte spin silken threads wherever they go and are ready to
quit their hold and drop from the leaves on which they may be feed-
ing whenever danger threatens, mounting their threads and resuming
operations again when it is past. Some of the caterpillars spin slight
cocoons beneath leaves at the trunks of trees, while others burrow
into the ground and there undergo their transformations.
The insects of this group are numerous both in species and indi-
viduals, and specimens may be taken from the iirst warm days in
spring till late into the fall.
50
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
Angerona crorafarla is a yellow moth with light l)rown iiiarkiiigs,
and expands from an inch and a. half to two inches. The larva feeds
Angerona crocataria.
on the currant and stra wherry and is yellowish or light green, with
brown dots and markings. The perfect fly may be found among low
bushes near cultivated fields during June, and, like many other moths
of this class, it flies a good deal in the daytime.
Bit'plios iufaiis.
Biu'jt/io.s itifans is one of the first moths to appear in the spring
and is a northern species, being found throughout New England and
north into Labrador. It is a day flyer, and ma}' be taken in tlie latter
part of March or the early part of April before the snow has left the
ground. It prefers low, bushy districts, where alders and willows
abound, and in favoral)le localities may be seen in some abundance
though generally shy. It is a pretty moth, about one and a quar-
ter inches in expanse, the fore wings being brown with light gray
markings, while the lower wings are red with brown margins. The
caterpillar is unknown to me.
Auisopteryx veiiiatii.
Anisopteiyx aiituninata.
Ani.^opferf/x vernata and Anlmpteryx autuinnaf<(, the spring and
fall canker-worm moths, have in the larval state long been a seri-
GBOMETEIDS. 51
ous pest in different parts of the country, as they frequently
appear in sucli numbers as to completely strip the foliage from
apple, elm and other trees, leaving them as if devastated by a
conflagration. These moths are about one and a cpiarter inches in
expanse of wing.
As the females of these two species of moths are wingless grnb-
like creatures, and can only deposit their eggs on the trees which form
the food of the larvpe by climbing their trunks, it M^ould seem that
their destruction is a simple matter. Still one sees whole districts
wherein fruit and shade trees liave been sti'ipped of their foliage, in
spite of the precaution of encircling the trunks witli bands of tar
paper smeared with tar or printer's ink. The spring canker-worm
moth makes its appearance early in April, and the males may then be
seen in numbers fluttering against the windows of a well-lighted
room. By going out with a lantern the females ma}^ be found
ascending the trees to lay their eggs, the males hovering about.
The moth of tlie fall caidvcr-worm emerges from its cocoon, which
is spun beneath the ground, late in October. The spring canker-
worm makes no cocoon, Init hollows out an oval cavity in the soil
in which it passes the winter as a chrysalis. These two species
resemble one another closely, both in the larval state and as the
perfect fly, the fully developed insects being light gniy and Ijrown
with light lower wincfs.
J . ^^
Zerene catenaria.
Zere7ie catenaria, beautifully white, witli black markings and
dots, is not uncommon in our fields and among low shrubs in
September and October. It is feeble in fliglit, and is often quite
local. In expanse it will measure about one and a half inches.
I have never seen the larvte, but have found the thin, transparent
cocoons attached to low shrubs, and have liatched the moths.
52
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
The larva of Amphidasis c(X/nataria feeds on the maple and cur-
lunt, and, like the full-grown moth, is thick-bodied for a geometrid.
Aiiiphiiiasis cogiiataiia.
The moth is dark gray, speckled and marked with l)hu'k, and about
two inclies in expanse.
Klieuiuaiitera liastata.
Rh.eumaptera liastata is a black-and-white moth, little more than
an hicli in expanse, easily recognized from the other species of this
class. It may be found in June along roads in the woods, where
it flies in the daytime, much like a butterfly. This insect is said
to be widely distributed, being found in Europe and Asia, as well
as America. The caterpillar, which is dark brown, feeds on the
leaves of the birch, where it lives in colonies.
Hybeniia tiliaiia.
This moth, Hyhernia tiliaria, about two inches in expanse, resem-
bles the canker-worm moth, in that the female is wingless and that it
is in the larval state destructive to fruit and shade trees. The larvae
are yellow, with black lines on the back and sides, and are sometimes
so plentiful as to completely denude trees of their foliage. When
GEOMETRIDS. 63
fully grown the larva3 descend into the ground, wliere they trans,
form to pupae a few inches below the surface. The perfect insect
makes its appearance in October. It is light buff-yellow with orange
spots, while the hind wings are nearly white.
Petrophora diversilneata.
Petrophora diversilneata is a very pretty moth, which often makes
its way into our rooms at night. It is yellowish, with a slightly
red or pink shade on the outer half of the fore wings ; which are
crossed by a number of reddish-brown lines. The lower wings
are lighter near the body with a few brown lines near the lower
edge. It is about an inch and a half in expanse of wings. The
larva lives on the leaves of the grape, but rarely in such numbers as
to do much damao-e.
1%
Hajmatopis grataria.
During August the pretty little moth, Hcematopis grataria, may
be found in meadows, especially near streams, where it is sometimes
quite abundant. It has a wide range, as I have taken it in Iowa,
Ohio, Virginia, and the New England States. The moth is about
one inch in expanse. It flies a good deal in the daytime, soon
alio'htinof after it has been flushed from the grass. Its colors are
yellowish-red crossed l)y bands of pink. The larva is said to feed on
chick weed.
Geometra iridaria.
An exceedingly beautiful little moth is Gieometra iridaria.
About one and a quarter inches in expanse of wings, it is of a rich
54 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
shade of green, the wings being crossed by white lines edged with
purple. There are a number of green moths belonging to this
group which resemble one another closely, but this is the most
attractive in coloring, and were it as large would rival the beautiful
Actias luna. I know nothing of the life history of this moth, but
have often been chai'med with its beauty as it flew in at the open
window to my lamp.
Among the many geometrids to be found in our country I may
mention the following species, as shown in the illustration.
Endropia marginata^ having all wings yellowish-buff, bordered
with a broad band of light brown. Expanse one and three-quarters
inches. This moth may be taken with a lamp early in September.
A smaller motli, Endropia hypochraria, has brownish-gray wings
with brown markings. It expands about one and a half inches.
In EutrapeJa clematata we have a moth with brownish-gray wings
the inner part darker crossed b}^ ])rown and light gray lines. It ex-
pands one and three-quarters inches. Entrapela transversata is liglit
brownish-yellow, with distinct lines and markings of brown. Ex-
panse nearly two inches.
Acidalia emmideata is creamy-white with brown markings near
outer edge of wings. Expands one and a quarter inches.
A finely marked moth, Therina seminudaria is light gray with
wings crossed by yellowish-brown and yellow lines. Expands one
and three-quarters inches.
Before leaving this interesting class of insects, having figured and
described only a small number of the more common species, a few
words in regard to the wonderful protective coloring, shapes and hab-
its of some of these moths and their larvae may prove interesting to
the student of entomology. The thin, flat wings of these moths
enable them to conceal themselves, not by folding the wings up
close to the body as so many other species do, but by spreading them
out flat on the objects on which they rest, hugging so closely to their
support as to appear to be a part of it. Some of the species closel}^
resemble patches of lichens when flattened against the trunks of
trees, the lines and bits of color on their Avings helping out the
resemblance to such an extent that when discovered, one is some-
times half in doubt where the insect leaves off and the bark begins.
The green species, many of them, extend their wings on the green
leaves, lying so close to the sui'face as to be scarcely distinguishable.
^ •■>■'*<
l^
4.h,Ks
%i^^
■2 '*
■^■i
'%IP
r
.^-.._/' ^'-j^
•y ,;3'"**''^
\
NOCTUIDS. 57
Some yellow and brown species have the halnt of resting with wings
extended on the upper sides of leaves so as to almost exactly resem-
ble the brown and \\'itliered patches on half-dead foliage. One or
two kinds when at rest throw their bodies into curious attitudes, at
the same time bending their wings into such shapes that when seen
one can hardly believe they are anything but dead fragments of
leaves adhering to stems.
The larvce of this group of insects are many of them protected
both by their shape and coloring, and even b}^ their habits in a
remarkable degree. A large number closely resemble twigs, and
will remain standing out straight at an angle of forty-five degrees
fi'om a branch, liolding on Ijy their posterior claspers for hours at a
time. So closely do these caterpillars resemble the small stems of
plants with their minute knots that one may have to pick them from
the branch to be sure he is not mistaken.
One does not need to go far from home to come across examples
of protective mimicry as striking and as useful to contemplate as any
the world affords, and a study of the geometrids in botli their larval
and mature state will point as clearly to the law by which every
animal is just adapted to its surroundings and protected in a degree
from its enemies as any so charmingly used by the great naturalists
Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace to illustrate the law of natural
selection.
NOCTUIDjE.
Oirlefs, or Mnth Millers.
The moths belonging to this large group are stout-bodied and
rapid-flying insects, and are, as their name implies, seldom seen on the
wing except at night. Wlien at rest they fold their Avings over the
body, roof-shaped, in such a way that the lower wings are entirely
concealed. Their antennte are long and tapering, and their wings
are always fastened together by the loop and spur already mentioned
in another chapter. Most of these insects are sombre in coloi'ing,
browns and graj-s being the predominating colors. JNIany of them
are thickly covered with long hair-like scales, which are easily loos-
ened. The tho]"ax is frequently tufted ; and the legs covered with
long scales are sometimes provided with spines at the johits. Most
of our native species are of small or moderate size, but some of the
58 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
exotic species are gigantic, specimens of Urebus stre.r from Brazil
sometimes measuring twelve inches from tip to tip of the expanded
wings.
Great difficulty is experienced in identifying many of the small
and plain-colored insects belonging to this group, as they are fre-
quently very much alike both in shape and markings, and puzzling
varieties in colors are common.
The larvcC are usually smooth, though some are hairy, and a few
possess tubercles and warts. Tliey are generally provided with six-
teen legs. Some make cocoons in which to transform to the clnysa-
lis state ; the majoi'ity Inirrow into the gronnd and form smooth,
naked chrysalides. Many of the caterpillars feed exclusiveh^ by
night, hiding by day, and a number of species are among the prin-
cipal insect pests with which the gardener and farmer have to deal.
( )ur first example is the splendid moth Urehus odora, which
ex})a,nds six or seven inches and is occasionally taken as far nortli as
Canada. It is a rare visitor, and one may consider himself exceed-
ingly fortunate who ca})tures a good s[)ecimen, for it is said not to
live in the United States except as a wanderer from Mexico. 1
have never taken a specimen, but know of several instances where
they have been captui-ed in New England and the Western States.
The insect is not rare in ^lexieo ; and one rarely sees a collection
from that country which does not contain one or more specimens of
this fine moth.
The predominating color is dark l)i()wn; but in certain lights,
pink and metallic purple and l)lue are reflected from the wings.
There is frequently a good deal of variation in this species, some-
times the wavy lines running across the wings being almost white
and again ol)scnre gray or yellowish brown. This insect is a very
strong flyer, as specimens are said to have been taken on board a
ship, one hundred and twenty-five miles from the nearest land. I
know nothing of the larva or of tlie life history of the insect.
In Parthenos luibilis, the insect looks very much like the Catocala
and has nuich the same liabits. The upper wings are dark brown,
black, gray and creamy-white. Thorax and l)ody liglit Ijrown.
Lower wing's blackish-l)rown with four wavy and somewhat indis-
tinct bands of yellowish-orange. Expanse of wings two and one-half
inches. I liave specimens of this insect from New England and the
Middle and Western States. It may be taken in the company of
Catocala and seems to have a wide range.
NOCTUIDS. ()1
The genus Catocala is very well represented in this countrj', and
is of more interest to the collector than any other class of the
Noctuidio, l)oth on account of the large size of man}- of the species
and also for their great beanty. These insects frequently measure
three inches or more across tlie expanded wings. The upper wings
are usually hrown or gray with numerous zigzag lines running across
them, while the lower wings are frequently crossed with broad black
bars, alternating Avith bands of red, yellow or white. The lower
Avings are hidden from view when the moths are at rest. The larvae
feed on various forest trees, oak and hickory being their most com-
mon food plant. Both the hirvie and the perfect moths are protected
by their resemblance in color to the bark of trees, and only careful
and dilligent search will enable one to find tliem. There are eighty
or more s[)ecies of this genus native to this country, and a large
number of varieties wliicli have been given separate names. The
identification of some of the s[)ecies is difiicult, both on account of
their variation and the obscurity of their markings.
Catocala cava is one of the most connnon moths of this genus as
well as one of the largest and finest.
It loves to fly along water-courses at night, particularly where
they are bordered on either side with forests, and on this account
may often be found in the daytime liiding on tlie underside of the
boards and beams of l)ridges, and 1 have myself taken thirty-seven
specimens of this fine moth under one bridge in less than an hour.
If one knows of such a place, he may visit it ever}' day from the
nuddle of August to the last of Septend^er and be tolerably certain
of luiding specimens of this and sometimes one or two other species.
Where trees overhang the water, too, one may look for this insect
Avith good chances of success in iinding it.
The larva of this insect lives on willoAV and may sometimes be
found descending the trunk of a tree preparatory to burrowing under
the leaves to undergo its transformations. The scales of all tliese
moths seem to ])e very loosely attached, and the greatest care is nec-
essary in handling them. I make it a rule never to touch one with
my fingers for fear of injuring it. When a moth of this kind is
seen on the trunk of a tree do not try to use the net for its capture
but place the open end of the poison jar over it and Avhen it flies
into the trap put on the cover and the insect is safe. Each specimen
should be taken out and placed in an envelope or collecting paper
before another one is put into the jar. Aljtliough many of tlie Cato-
62
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
c(ij(( may be enticed into one's room on warm evenings in Angiist,
by placing a light in the window, I have never yet taken Gatocala
cara in this manner; nor does it seem to l;e attracted by sugaring,
and if one had to depend on this mode of ca})ture he would conclude
that it was a rare insect.
iBsB|»-<||fefc-.-
Gatocala relicta.
This is one of the linest and rarest of the C<(turala. The u})per
wings of the male insect are creamy-white, crossed b}^ several indis-
tinct bands of gray; tlie lower wings are black, with a white curved
bar crossing just below the middle and a creaniy-wliite fringe at the
margin. The head is light ; but the thorax and abdomen are dark
gray, almost black. The u})per wings of the female are much darker,
altliough specimens may be found ranging from almost pure white to
dark gray. A line specimen of this rare moth will measure nearly
four inches across its expanded wings, and it is enough to make one's
heai't jump with excitement to see one of these strikingl}' marked
insects quietly sipping the intoxicating liquid where one has smeared
a tree-trunk with rum and molasses.
Like many other species of the genus Catofala, this insect is
local, and may sometimes be found in some almndance. One collec-
tor with whom I am acquainted has taken a dozen [)erfect specimens
in a season, but this nuist be considered very unusual. T have
always found it a very scarce insect. It is widely distributed, as I
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES
DENTON
CATOCALA CARA
NOCTUIUS.
68
have liad specimens from New England, Ohio, Illinois, Arkansas and
Virginia.
Catocala concumbeiis.
Althougli common, Catocala concnimbens is a very attractive insect.
Its forward wings heing a soft giuy, Avhile two bars of l^lack and two
of pink adorn the lower wings. Tliis motli may be taken l)y sugar-
ing, and it will also come to a light, and is a pretty creature for one
to see coming in at his window fluttering its wings of black and
pink just in front of his face. This insect is probably found over a
large part of this country, as I have specimens from many localities.
Stone walls or liea])S of rocks in the woods seem to be favorite
haunts of this moth ; and as the bright pink lower wings are covered
by the gray upper ones when at rest, it is not easily discovered.
Two and three-quarters inches is the expanse of wing of a good-
sized specimen. The caterpillar lives on willow.
Catocala epioue.
A number of the Catoniht have no l)ands of l)right coloi' on the
lower wings, Init these members are sinn)ly black or dark brown
with a white fringe, while the upper wings are very like those
insects I have been describing. The present species is one of this
class, and there are a large number so closely I'elated that their
separation into species is not an easy mattei'.
64 MOTHS AND BUTTEIIFLIES.
These moths inhabit oak woods, generally in company with other
kinds, and are most often to be found in the daytime hugging closely
to the trunks of the trees where their gray wings marbled with dark
Ijrown and black render them difficult to see. When once alarmed
they readily take to flight and are strong and rapid on the wing.
This species may be taken by sugaring but rarely comes to a light.
The larva, lives on oak.
^^
Catocala fratercula.
The little Catocala fratercula, Avhich nnicli resembles some of
the larger kinds, is often abundant in oak woods in August, where
it may be found in company with the larger species. Its fore wings
are light gray, with creamy-white and l)rown patches and markings,
and its lower wings are orange banded witli black. One will often
tind this moth on fences and stone walls as well as tree-trunks.
Half-a-dozen or more species of the same size may easily be mistaken
for this and the beginner will encounter many difficulties in separat-
ing the species of Catocala. The larva lives on oak.
The motli Catocala cero(jama has ujjper wings gray and brown,
with black markings. Thorax gray. Body brown. Lower wings
brown near the body, the rest being black crossed by a single narrow
l)and of dull orange, edged with 3-ellowisli-gray. This insect ex-
pands a trifle over three inches. I liave not found it a common
specie, but have specimens from Arkansas, Ohio, Massachusetts and
Ontario, Canada.
In Catocala part a the upper wings are gray, light brown and
black. Thorax gray and black, body light Ijrownish-buif. Lower
wings orange-red with one narrow and one broad black band, the
outer margin 3'ellowish-gi'ay. The insect expands three inches and a
half in a line specimen. This is not a rare insect, and I have taken
it in Massachusetts, Southern Ohio and Illinois, and have specimens
from Ontario, Canada.
Catocala xalmata. U})per wings gray and light brown. Thorax
light gray, l)()dy yellowish-brown. Lower wings ochreous-yellow
«a^«|^^|
NOCTUIDS. 67
crossed by two bands of black. Expanse nearl}^ three and one-half
inches. I have never taken this insect, but have specimens collected
in Southern Ohio.
Catocala unijuga. Upper wings dark gray and black with light
gray wavy lines. Thorax dark gray. Body brown. Lower wings
bright orange-red, edged with white and crossed by two intensely
black bands. Expanse of wings three inches. This is a common
insect in the northeastern part of the country, and I have a number
of specimens from Canada.
The species, Catocala i?inuhens, is a very variable one. The
upper wings are usually dark brown, light brown and black. Thorax
and body light brown. Lower wings reddish-orange edged with
3'ellow and crossed by two bands of black. This insect expands two
and one-half inches and is sometimes found in numbers on oak-trees.
I have specimens from Iowa, Ohio, Massachusetts and Ontario.
Catocala flehlUs. Upper wings dark gray and sooty black.
Thorax dark gray. Body sootj^ brown. Lower wings black, edged
with yellowish-white. Expanse two and a quarter inches. A com-
mon insect in oak woods in September and October.
Catocala desperata. Upper wings light gray and light brown and
crossed by black lines. Thorax light gray. Body sooty brown.
Lower Avings blackish-brown, lighter near the body and edged with
yellowish- white. Expanse two and three-quarters inches. Not a
rare insect in New England and the Middle and Western States.
Catocala jyahvor/ama. Upper wings gray with black markings.
Thorax gray. Body light brown. Lower wings orange crossed by
two black bands. Expands two and one-half inches. I have speci-
mens of this insect from Southern Ohio, but have never taken it in
Massachusetts.
Catocala arnica. Upper wings gray and black with a greenish
shade. Thorax gray. Body yellowish-brown. Lower wings orange
with a large brownish-black patch. Expanse of wings one and three-
quarters inches. This insect is sometimes very common in autumn,
and may frequently be taken in numbers on the trunks of poplar-
trees. I have also found it abundantly when collecting other Cato-
cala in oak forests.
Catocala antinpnjjJia. Upper wings blackish-brow]i, with black
and brown marks. Thorax and body dark. Lower wings orange,
with two black bands. Expanse, two inches. I have specimens of
this insect from Ohio and Massachusetts.
68 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
Poapliila quadrijilaris is a little moth which expands about an
inch. It is very dark brown, or almost black, lighter toward the
Poaphila (luadritilaris.
edges of the wings. The fore wings are crossed by two white stripes,
the inner one being the narrower, while the lower wings are plain
dark brown. This little insect inhabits marsli}^ meadows and when
disturbed flies so rapidly that it is difficult to follow it with the eye.
Its flight is short, and it alights suddenly on a grass Ijlade, keeping
an eye on the intruder and holding itself ready for another flight. I
have taken this moth rarely with a lighted lamp in Massachusetts.
Brastei'ia erechtea.
Drasteria ereclitea is a very common insect frec^uenting open
grassy fields and meadows. It flies rapidly when disturbed, but
only for a short distance. This moth is one of the first to make its
appearance in the spring, and may also be found abundantly in the
late summer and autumn. In expanse about an inch and a lialf, it is
one of the commonest visitors to the collector's lamp, sometimes
becoming a great nuisance, fluttering about the lamp and even into
the cliimney, extinguishing the flame.
The larvae of this moth feeds on clover and is of a reddish-brown
color with darker stripes and two light gray lines on the back. The
caterpillar might easily be mistaken for a Geometrid as it has but
three pairs of abdominal legs and moves with a loo})ing motion.
The mature insect is gra^dsh-brown with dark brown Ijands and
markings dis})osed as shown in the illustration. T\\q male is more
' \
''*4T
NOCTUIDS.
71
strongly marked than the female. This insect is fonnd over a large
part of the American continent.
Euclidia cuspidea.
A pretty species related to the preceding is EurUdia cuspidea.
Of the same size, its wings are brown crossed by bands of light
yellowish and reddish-brown and having on the U[)per wings several
patches of very dark velvety brown or black. This insect may occa-
sionally be seen among low bnshes and shrubs, particularly about
patches of sweet fern. Wlien disturbed it flies rapidly for a short
distance and drops suddenly among the low bushes and conceals
itself. The larva is unknown to me.
Rliodopliora florida.
One of our most beautiful Noctuids is Rliodopliora florida. Its
expanse of wing is about an inch and a quarter. The fore wings are
mottled with rich pink on a yellow ground for two-thirds of tlieir
lengtli, the outer margin being yellow, while the lower wings are
very light yellow or almost white. This insect may often be seen
about the evening primrose, which is the food plant of the caterpillar,
and it has the habit of concealing itself among tlie flower petals in
the da3^time, the tips of the wings alone being visible. This little
moth has a wide range, and I have taken it in California, Nevada,
Arkansas, Virginia, Oliio and in Massachusetts, and liave specimens
which were taken in Canada and Florida. The larva is probably a
72 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
nocturnal feeder, as it may be found hiding in the daytime among
the young leaves of the primrose- It is greenish-yellow in color.
The cotton worm, Aletia agillacea, and the army worm, HdJopldla
unipuncta^ both l)elong to this group of insects, and are well known
where they occur in numbers on account of their destructiveness.
The former lives on the leaves of the cotton plant, as its common
name implies, and is the greatest enemy the cotton-growing industry
has in the South. This caterpillar is nearly two inches long when
fully grown, and is green in color with black stripes and black and
yellow spots. The moth, which is very plain, expands an inch and a
half, and is brownish-gray, the fore wings being crossed by faint
wavy lines of a darker color. This insect is found mostly in the
cotton-growing States, l)ut has been taken in the North, where its
occurrence is said to l)e from southern migration.
The arni}^ worm has a wider distribution tlian the cotton worm,
being found over the whole of the eastern half of the country as well
as in Europe and Australia. The moth is plain in color, being
yellowish-gray and brown with a white dot in the centre of each fore
wing. These caterpillars feed on grasses, and are sometimes so
Larva of Hellophila nniiiuncta.
abundant as to devour almost every vegetable growth within their
reach. At such times they connnence their march for ''pastures
new," and are often seen in great numbers and all marching in one
direction, which gives them their common name. The caterpillar is
striped with dark gray or dark brown on a greenish-3^ellow or gray-
ish-yellow ground, and is an inch and a half long when fully grown.
The pupa state is passed in the ground.
A genus of Noctuidce having many American representatives,
among which are some very beautiful species, is Plnsia. The fore
wings rather pointed, usually of different shades of brown, are fre-
quently ornamented witli a silvery or golden comma-shaped spot (in
some species several spots and patches), while the thorax and upper
part of the abdomen is adorned with tufts of hair-like scales. The
larvfe, generally greenish in color, sometimes striped, are some of
them injurious to garden vegetables, and spin their thin cocoons,
through which the pupte can be seen, among the leaves.
NOCTUIDS. 73
These moths frequent flowers in the evening, one of their favor-
ites being the phlox, upon the l)lossoms of which they alight. It is
amusing to watch one of these moths standing almost upon its head
Phisia siiniilex.
as it thrusts its tongue into the flowers in its eagerness to procure
the sweets. Plu-na simplex is a common and well-known insect, ex-
panding an inch and a quarter or more. The fore wings are brown,
in some specimens pinkish-brown, darker near the centre, where
there is a silvery spot whose shape can be seen in the illustration.
The lower wings are dull yellow and margined witli a broad Imnd of
brown. This insect is pi'obaljly donljle-brooded, as I have taken
it in June and again in September.
Plusia putiiaiui.
J
A very pleasingly colored species is Plusia put nami. The head,
forward part of the thorax, antennpe and legs are reddish-pink, the
tuft of hairs on the thorax being pinkish-ljrown. The abdomen is
3^ellow with tufts of pink hairs on the sides. The fore wings are
reddish-brown, deeper toward the outer margins, and adorned with
patches of silver and golden colored scales. The lower wings are
yellowish with a grayish band near the margins, and edged with
pink, the whole making one of our most beautiful little moths. I
have never found this species common, but have taken it with a
74
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
lamp in Ohio and Massachusetts in August. Some species of Plunia
have no metallic s])ots Ijut are rich in their reddish-brown shadings.
In PImia cvrea the u})})er wings are pur[)lish-hrown. Head and
forward part of thorax yellowish, dark gray above. Body yellowish-
gray. Lower wings dark brown, lighter next to body. Expanse one
a)id one-half inches.
Eucirroedia pampina has upper wings and thorax reddish-orange
with brown markings. Lower wings and body pinkish-gray. Ex-
panse of wings one and one-half inches. This is a common little
moth in autumn, and is often taken while sugaring for Catocala.
In the species of the genus Gortj/na the larvse are stalk-borers,
living in the stalks of both wild and cultivated plants, and some-
times doing considerable damage to the potato, tomato, Indian corn,
etc., causing the plants to wither and die.
Cii)it\ii,i intela.
In frorfijiKi nitcJa the fore wings are pur[)lish-gray stippled with
yellow, a light line running across them. Tlie lower wings are light
brown. The larva is pinkish-brown, darker toward the head and is
marked with light yellowish-wliite stripes. This species is fre-
quently destructive to the dahlia and aster, passing its larval state
within the stems of these plants and devouring their substance.
Tlie insect pupates just Ijelow tlie surface of the gi'ound, where it
constructs a slight cocoon. The moth appears in September.
Cucullia speyeri.
CucvUia speyeri is a gray moth with slender pointed upper wings
marked with brown, the lower wings being wliite, margined with
NOCTUIDS.
75
q'ray-brown. This insect has a crest on tlie forward part of the
thorax, and from this fact is caUed the hooded owlet. Tlie cater-
pillar feeds on golden rod.
Pyrophila pyraiiiidoides.
Pp'ophila pi/ram id oides is a common motli with brown fore wings
crossed by wavy lines of dark brown and black, while the hind wings
are copper colored and la-own. Tlie Avhole upper surface of the
insect is very glossy. In Septeni1)er this insect may be fonnd on
fences and tree-truid^s and I have sometimes dislodged a number of
them when stripping the loosened bark from dead tree-trunks in
search of beetles. The food plants of the larva are the grape and
Virginia creeper.
A very interesting species in the larval state is BeUura i/orti/nides,
which lives in the leaf stems of the pond lily, having a communica-
tion with the air throngh a hole in the leaf. When feeding it
descends below the surface of the water to a distance, according to
Comstock, of two feet or more. Tlie perfect insect is l)rownisli, and
expands an inch and a half.
Mamestra picta.
A beautifully marked insect in the caterpillar state is Mamestra
picta and the larva goes by the ap^iropriate name of the zebra, worm.
76 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
This insect is frequently to be seen in tlie autumn on tlie leaves of
the parsnip, carrot and cabl)age, although I have never seen it abun-
dant enough to do niueli liarni. The smooth, naked caterpillar is
Larva of iMamestia picta.
striped longitudinally Avith yellow and bhxck in conspicuous bands,
these stripes being crossed with numerous tine white lines on the
sides of the insect. The larva burrows into tlie ground and })asses
the winter in the pupa state, whence it emerges in the spring a moth
with dark cliestnut-brown fore wings and yellowish-Avhite hind
wings. The moth expands an inch and a half.
In the genus A(/rofis tlie larvcC are known by the a[)[)r()priate
name of cut-worms. The ravages of these pests are well known to
farmers, gardeners and florists. What an aggravation it is after pur-
chasing and carefully planting a few choice pansies or sowing and
diligently caring for a bed of sweet peas to see the young plants
toppling over and withering in the morning sun, their stems cut off
just above the roots. The eggs of the moths are laid in the ground
during July and August and tlic infant caterpillars soon make their
appearance, but are so minute while their food (the roots of succu-
lent plants) is so abundant that their depredations are not noticed.
As cold weatlier advances they Ijuri-ow deep into the ground, where
they pass the winter in smooth oval cavities in the earth in a curled
position. When warm weather again awakens them to life they
work their way to the surface and are then most destructive to
young plants, often cutting off in a single night numbers of cal)-
bages, beans or peas, and liiding just below the surface of the ground
during the daytime, ready to renew their depredations the next
night. When the larvte arrive at maturity they again descend into
the ground, where they })Upate. The moths emerge in July and
August. The larv;e are stout-bodied creatures, dingy in color, often
striped from head to tail with light gray and brown or black. They
are naked, witli a liorny plate on the U})per part of tlie liody near the
head, and the different species so closely resemble each other as to l)e
scarcely distinguisliable. These insects are very destructive to many
flowering [>lants as Avell as garden vegetables, and one or two species
have been known to ascend apple and })ear trees and gra|)e vines in
NOCTUIDS.
77
the night and devour tlie fruit huds, greatly diminishing their pro-
(hiction.
^lau}'- experiments have been tried to destroy these })ests, but
})erhaps the most effeetual is to carefully remove the soil from about
tlie infected young plants and kill the caterpillars as they lie curled
up near the roots an inch or less below the sui'face of the ground.
Small tin basins or cups placed in the ground near the plants in such
a manner that their tops are on a level with the surface will be
found to be excellent traps for these annoying marauders. The
caterpillars in their nightly wanderings in searcli of food fall into the
receptacles and one ma}^ Avreak vengeance on them in the morning as
they will Ije unable to climl) up the smooth sides of the tin. Re-
venge is indeed sweet when one has seen his linest flowers and vege-
tables cut off in early youth by tliese destructive '' worms." The
perfect insects are mostly nocturnal in their habits, coming into our
1 louses at night and secreting themselves behind picture frames or
among clothing in our closets in the daytime. Some species are,
however, da3--flyers and may be seen during the sunny hours about
the blossoms of the milkweed and golden-rod busily sipping their
sweets.
Most of these moths are verj'- dull in color, though a few are
marked with pleasing tints of brown, gray and buff.
The following illustrations of a few typically marked species of
A(/rotis will give an idea of their general appearance.
Agrotis c-iiigrain.
Agrotis iioniiaiiiana.
A(/roti.s tmseUata is a small moth. The color of its fore wings is
dark gray with two light spots and two black spots on each. The
lower wings are light brownish-gray, darker at their edges. This
moth expands one inch and a quarter.
Agrotis c-nigram is a rather dark s|)ecies, tlie fore wings being-
dark brown, gray and black, with a few ligliter spots and markings,
while the hind wings are light brown. It is one of the larger species,
expanding an incli and three-quarters.
78
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
A(/rotis normaniana is a prettily marked species, its fore wings
being marked with gray, buff and l)lack, with tlie liind wings l)nff
and brown. The insect expands an inch and a half.
Agrotis lierilis.
^W
Agrotis veiierabilis.
An exceedingly abundant species during August is Agrotis herilis.
The fore wings are gray and black, with cream-colored marks and
spots, while the hind wings are light brown. Ex})ands al)Out an
inch and a, half.
Ai/rott-^ vt'iwrdhilis is a reddish-brown moth, whose hind wings ai'e
gi'a^'ish-brown. Expuiids an iiicli ;iiid ilirec-eighths.
Calocampa iiupera.
A rather rare motli, and at the same time a prettily marked in-
sect, is Calocnmpa nujtera. This insect expands two inches and a
half, and is marked as follows : the upper halt' ot the fore wings is
gray, darker toward the tips, light ash-gray nearest the body ; an
interrupted black line runs longitudinally through the middle of the
wing, on which is situated a black spot; the lower half of the fore
wing is chestnut-brown ; the lower wings are reddish-brown, with a
glossy surface ; the thorax is dark brownish-purple and tlie abdomen
reddish-brown. I have taken this insect occasionally in autunni
while sugaring trees for Cafocala. The larva of this moth is uidviiown
to me.
r
M
f.
/.
/;
'i \
NOCTUIDS. 81
Apatela americana h a g-ray moth, with a scalloped, light g'luy
line near the outer margin of ihe fore wings edged externally with
black and brown, and with a row of black dots along the outer
Apatela ainericaiia.
margin. The lower wings are j^ellowish-gray, and the insect ex-
pands two inches and a half. The hairy caterpillar feeds on the
leaves of the maple, elm and chestnut, and is usuallv seen partially
curled sidewise when not feeding. Its head, belly and legs are black,
and its back is dull green. Tlie hairs covering its body are yellow,
with two pairs of tufts of long l)lack hairs on the forward part of the
body and a single tuft near the posterior exti'emity. In autumn the
insect spins a cocoon composed externally of silk and hairs from its
body, inside of which is another covering, composed of silk and l)its
of bark or chips of wood. This cocoon is usually hidden under the
loosened bark of a tree and in it the pupa passes the winter.
In Apatela lobelias the ujDper wings are gray with light gray lines
and black marks. Thorax gray. Abdomen brown. Lower wings
light brown. Expanse two inches.
Giainatophora trisignata.
G-ramatophora tyhhjnata is a pretty species, being of a monldv-
green color on the fore wings, marked with lines and mottlings of
black, witli three round reddish-ljrown spots on each wing, the loAver
wings being light 3'ellowisli-brown.
This motli I have taken on one or two occasions with a lamp in
Ohio and Massachusetts. I have also received one specimen from
82
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
Toronto, Out. It exjiands an inch and a half. The hirva is one
of tliose strange, weird forms in wliich Natnre seems occasionally
to delight, snggestino- tliat slie must have been in a "wondrous
merry mood *' in evolviug a beiug so grotesque. The extreme of the
Larva of Graniatoiihoia trisignata.
fantastic and the ridiculous seems to have been reached in shaping
this creature. Of beauty it has none, and is withal a most venomous
looking animal, for when disturljed it swings its head from side to
side in a menacing manner. The tuft of hairs just back of the head
usually have attached the hard black sliells of tlie insect's head
which were slied in the earlier moults of the larva, and these add a
good deal to its uncanny appearance, giving one the impression that
it has several heads of different sizes. The caterpillar is dark brown,
with a lighter bro\\'n [)atch occu[)3dng several of the segments. Tlie
six front legs, head and warts from which the hairs s})ring are
shining black. The food plant of tlie caterpillar is lilac.
BOMBYCIDJE.
Spinner.
Tlie family of Bombyx is one of great importance, as it not only
includes many of the largest and finest insects in tlie woiid, but also
those of greatest importance to man from an economic standpoint, as
in this family belong all the })rinci[)al silk-[)roducing insects from
whose cocoons such a variety of beautiful and useful fabrics are
manufactured. The moths lielonging to this himily are mostly stout,
thick-bodied insects, frequently very hairy or woolly. 'I'bey have
small, sunken heads, and the anteiuue are often feathered, })articu-
larlv in the males. The moutli parts are either rudimentary or
wholly wanting, many of tlie species not lieing able to a])})ro[)riate
food of any kind in tlie perfect state. 'J'heir wings are usually broad,
BOMBYCIDS. <5d
and in many of the species are covered with a dense armor of scales
arranged in colored patterns, frequently very gay, while in others the
clotliing is of more snhducd tints, soft and blended. The remark-
able power by which the virgin females attract the males, often from
long distances (referred to in a former chapter), is, to the best of my
knowledge, confined exclusively to this family of moths.
The caterpillars are stout-bodied creatures, many of them densely
clothed with hairs or spines, Avliile others are fleshy and are adorned
with rows of tubercles. A few are naked and smooth.
XyJeutes robin irr. One ma}' find in the trunks of poplar, oak and
locust trees, protruding from large circular holes, the empty shells
of this moth. Xi/Ieutes (the carpenter) is a very ap})ropriate name
for this genus of moths, as their larvfe mine in the solid wood of
Xyleutes robiDise. Female.
trees, excavating long tunnels, increasing in diameter as the cater-
})illars grow. Their larvte have true legs and prolegs, l)ut are grub-
like looking creatures. The present species is flesh color above and
light beneath, with the head and the forward part of tlie Ijod}- above
covered with a hard shelly substance, brown in color. When full}'
grown the caterpillars are two or three inches long. They seem to
prefer large trees and sometimes do considerable damage, liddling
the trunks and cariying their tunnels out through the bark befoi'e
changing to puppe. They are said to require three years to reach
maturity and make tlieir tliin silken cocoons in tlie burrows some
distance from the opening, usually lining the tnnnel with silk both
front and back of their cocoons.
84 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
The pupa is _yell(»\visli-l)rowii, ;iii(l, by means of rows of short
spines on the alxloniinal segments, works its wa}^ to the moutli of its
burrow, when the moth is about to break tlie slielL The moth eomes
forth in Jul}-, and is a niglit-flyer. The insect is very phiin. Its
wings are pareliment-like, resembling in some respects the eoddis
flies. The female is light gray, with a net-work pattern of dark
brown on the fore wings. The liead and thorax are gray, and the
abdomen and lower wings are brownish-gray. The insect expands
three inches. The male is much smaller than the female. Its
Xyleutes robiuiffi. Male.
forward wings are of a greenish-gra}^ and dark brown, its liead and
thorax gray, abdomen black, and its lower Avings orange and black.
Although not a rare; insect, on account of its hal)its it is seldom seen.
Zeuzera p^/riua. The leopard moth is a European species which
has been introduced into tliis country. Tlie Avings are wliite, partly
transparent, and marked with a nund)er of dark s[)ots and rings, from
which it has derived its popular name. The caterpillar l)ores tunnels
in the wood of various trees (elm, ash, maple, })ear, apple, etc.), and
is capable of doing a good deal of damage sliould it become very
luimerous. It is yellowish, with numerous l)lack spots on the sides
and back, and has a horny plate on tlie segment next the head. The
moth may occasionally be taken about electric lights in the neighbor-
hood where it lias l)eeu introduced.
To tlie genus Sthenopls belong some rare and interesting moths.
I liave made the acquaintance of but two species of this genus in this
country, Stlwunpii^ arf/cnfoinandafvs and /V. an/enfata. These insects
are much alike, the former being the larger, and measuring three and
a half inches or more in expanse, while of the latter species, the only
BOMBYCIDS.
85
specimen I ever took is two and a lialf inclies across. Their colors
are ashen gray, the fore wings being crossed by bands and rows of
spots of darker gray. On the fore wings are two small silvery spots.
Stheijopis argeiitaui.
A remarkable characteristic of these moths is their exceedingly short
anteimte. I have never seen the larva, and the life history of these
moths is not known to me. Professor Comstock states that "the
larva are nearly naked and grub-like in appearance, altliough fur-
nished with sixteen legs. They feed upon wood and are found at
the roots or within the stems of plants. They transform either in
their burrows or in the case of those that feed outside of roots within
loose cocoons.'' jS. argentomaculata I have taken in northern Ohio,
while collecting with a lamp. As it circled about the room, it
looked, with its long wings, a good deal like a large dragon-fly. I
also found a specimen of the same species in the same locality in the
daytime clinging to the under side of a blackberry leaf. ^S'. argentata
(the species figured) I took at dusk in Jul}^ in South Sudbury, Mass.
It was flying slowly along the road in a wooded district, and I easily
caught up with it and knocked it down with my hat. I have seen
species of this genus from Mexico and Brazil ; and a very large
coarse-looking insect of the same genus was latel}' sent me from
C'Ooktown, in Queensland, Australia.
The Lasiocampians include the tent caterpillars and the lappet
caterpillars. The moths belonging to this group are downy or
woolly and thick-l)odied, and are distinguished b}' the lack of the
loop and bristle which holds the upper and lower wings together
during flight in other moths. Tlie caterpillars are soft-bodied creat-
ures, almost velvety to the touch, and are clothed with short soft
hairs, thickest on tlie sides, which do not arise from warts or tuber-
cles. The anteinia' of these moths are feathered more Ijroadlv in the
86 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
males than in the females. When at rest the wings are folded in
such a way that they slant both sides of the abdomen like a roof, and
the lower wings project on the sides, not being wholly covered by the
upper wings. The moths are night-flyers. Some of the larvie are
gregarious, living in colonies, frequently in immense numbers.
Some species feed on cultivated trees, and on account of their vast
numbers sometimes do immense damage. The pupa state is passed
in a cocoon composed mostly of silken threads.
A numerous and most destructive species belonging to this group
in the East is Clli^iocampa americaiia, the tent caterpillar, whose un-
sightly webs of large dimensions are to be seen almost everywhere
in neglected apple orchards and ])y the roadside on wild cherry-trees.
The eggs of the female moth are deposited in a compact mass or
bunch near the end of a twig, of its chosen food plant, partly or
wholly encircling it. They are cylindrical in shape and are placed
on end close togetlier often three or four hundred in a bunch and
covered with a shining brown water-proof varnish which protects
them from the weather. In this state they remain during the fall
and winter, and liatcdi al)out tlie time that the leaf-buds are ready to
burst in May. Tlie young caterpillars construct in the forlc of a
branch a small triangular web or tent of fine silken webs in wliicii
they remain through tlie night and during cold or stormy weather,
sallying forth in long lines, usually in single flle, each caterpillar
spinning its wel), presumably to enable it to retrace its steps as it
advances to the ends of the twigs to feed u[)on the opening foliage.
In time these lines of silk extend to the tips of all the immediate
branches about the nest, whicli is added to as the individuals com-
posing the colony grow in size. As they remain in this tent at
all times wlien not engaged in feeding or in wandering to and from
their feeding grounds, it is a veritable home, and in time becomes
large and strong, capable of resisting the attacks of most Ijirds and of
all parasitic insects. When tlie cater[>ilhirs reacli maturity they are
about two inches long, sparsely clothed with soft hairs tliicker on the
sides, with l)lack lieads, and are striped lengthwise with white,
yellow and l)la('k, with a blue spot in the middle of each segment
on each side. When about to pupate they abandon their tent
and separately wander off in search of a suitable locality in which
to spin their cocoons.
These are spun in crevices in the bark of trees, about fences and
stone Avails, frequently on buildings on the clapboards or under the
BOMBYCIDS. 87
eaves. They are oval in form, liglit colored and tliin, and intermixed
with the threads is a yellowisli-white snbstance which seems to give
stiffness to the cocoon. Ahont two weeks after the cocoon is finished
the moth makes its escape through a hole in one end which it moist-
ens, it is said, with a secretion from its mouth, enabling the insect to
push the loosened threads aside. The moth expands from an inch
Clisiocampa americana.
to an inch and a half or over, the male being smaller than the female.
Tlie body of the insect is woolly, and is of a rusty Iwown color, its
fore wings being crossed by a lighter band edged on eitlier side by a
narrow grayish-yellow line. The male is somewhat darker than the
female.
This insect in its caterpillar state is so injurious to apple orchards
that its destruction becomes a necessity to keep the trees in bearing-
condition. It is not a ditficult insect to combat, as its clusters of
eggs are easily seen during the fall and winter, and can be picked off
by hand and burned. When the young larvee first begin their opera-
tions in the spring their nests may easily be taken from the trees and
each colonjr destroyed in its infancy. To insure success in this work
the tents should be removed either early in the morning or late in
the afternoon, or else on stormy days when the Avhole colony is at
home. A piece of coarse burlap wound around the end of a pole and
saturated with kerosene oil will he found well fitted for the work, as
the oil will destroy the caterpillars wliich it touches even if they ai'e
not removed with the tent. To keep one's orchard cleared of these
pests the nests should be destroyed not only on the orchard trees but
also on all neglected trees in the neighborhood infested by them,
especially the wild cherry-tree, Avhich seems to be the favorite food
plant of the species. Two or three neglected trees will Ijreed moths
enough to stock several orchards with the pest the following spring.
The parasites prol)ably do more to hold these insects in clieck
than all other agents (man included) put together. If one will
00 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
closely watcli a colony of the tent caterpillars when out of their nest
or a large number of larvie of any other kind, lie may see a small
swarm of ichneumon flies constantly hovering al)0ut and over them.
These are on tlie watch for a chance to deposit their eggs in or on the
bodies of the caterpillars ; and Avhen one considers tlieir numbers and
persistency, one wonders tliat a sufficient number of the larvce escape
to propagate the species. Here is an instance which gives some idea
of their ravages. One of my brothers had one hundred caterpillars
of a large species he wished to raise whicli he placed on a young tree
and enclosed the whole in mosquito netting. Under this net they
remained until nearly full grown, when one day a small rent was dis-
covered in one corner of tlie net [)resumably made Ijy a bird ; and
when the larvte were taken out and examined, of the entire number
but three had escaped tlie ichneuman flies which had found their
AA'ay into the net and laid their eggs on the caterpillars.
While a species is comparativel}' scarce, its chances of escape
from Ijirds and parasitic insects are fairly good ; and if it is a prolific
Clisiocanipa disstria.
species well adaj)ted to its surroundings and lias plenty of food, it
will increase until its posterity may be reckoned b}' millions. It now
begins to attract attention, both from the birds and the parasites, as
a large amount of food going to waste. Tlie parasites attack it, and
having an abundance of food begin to increase at a rapid rate ; and
the l)irds finding an easily obtained food-supply neglect other foods
and apply themselves to this. Tlie consequence is that the demand
soon equals and finally exceeds the supply, and an entire region
previously infested with an injurious insect may l)e so de|)opulated
in one or two seasons that a careless observer might conclude tliat the
species was extinct or had migrated to otlier parts. Tliis, in my
opinion, is the explanation of the sudden disappearance of many an
BOMBYCIDS. 89
insect pest which may have at one time threatened the destruction
of the plants upon which it subsisted.
The forest tent caterpiUar, Gluiocampa dkatria, resembles the pre-
ceding species both in its habits and in the general appearance of the
caterpillar and moth. The larva is more bluish than the common
tent caterpillar, has a row of spots along the Ijack instead of lines, is
greenish on the sides and has a blue head. It lives in large colonies
of three or four hundred individuals on oaks and walnuts, and makes
a large tent beneath which it remains except when feeding. This
insect I have seen very abundant in the White Mountain region of
New Hampshire, where it not only devoured the leaves of the oak
and walnut, but also apple, cherry, and when hard pressed even birch,
alder and elm. The insects were nearly full grown by the middle of
June. The moth is about the same size as the preceding, but is of
a more reddish-tan color, and the fore wings are crossed ]jy a broad
band of a darker shade. It is an inhabitant of all the New England
and Middle States.
The lappet motli, Tolype veJleda, is a pretty and interesting species.
The larva is very much flattened beneath, and along its sides are a
number of flat projections or lappets from which spring numerous
hairs making a fringe around the bod}-. When the insect is not
feeding it hugs closely to the bark of the tree, the hairs on it sides
lie flat against its support ; and as its colors are dull greenish-gray, it
looks like nothing on earth so mucli as a swelling on the bark. One
may even gaze directly upon it without realizing that it is anything
alive. The larva is orange, sometimes red beneath and has an in-
tensely black band between two of the segments on the upper side on
the forward part of the l^ody. This band does not show when the
insect is at rest. It feeds upon the apple, poplar and willow, and
reaches full size during July, when it is two inches or more in length.
It spins a thick gray-brown cocoon, oval in shape, convex above, flat
and very thin on the under side, and spreading out on the edges like
90
]\1()THS AND BUTTERFLIES.
thin paper, attached to the trunk or a Hnib of the tree upon whicli
the larva fed. The chrysalis is dark brown and very smooth. Tlie
niotli makes its a})pearance early in 8eptem1)er and is a night-flyer,
occasionally attracted to lighted lamps. Its colors are soft and
blended, being white sliaded with Ijlne-gra^s and its Avings crossed
by two broad bands of dark gray. The female moth expands two
and one-half inches, but the male is smaller, ex})anding l)ut one and
one-half inches.
Another species, closely related to the preceding but smaller, is
Tolype larieis, which lives on the larch. Its larva is brownish-gray
in color and al)0ut an inch and a lialf lono-. Its habits are much like
Tolype laricis.
T. veUeda, and it makes a similar though smaller cocoon. Tlie moth
emerges early in Se})temljer and lays its eggs, whicli do not hatch
till the following spring. The female moth resembles T. velleda in
color, except that it is lighter near the Ijody, and the outer gray band
on the forward wings is darker and narrower. The male, wliicli is
here figured, is dark gray with clouded wings. The al)domen is
sooty ])lack. According to my experience this is a rare moth.
WiMn ''"n
Gastiopaclia americana.
CrastropacJia americana is a reddisli-lirown moth with a lighter
band crossing the wings, edged with wavy dark l)rown lines and
having the edges of the wings scalloped. There is a good deal of
discrepancy in size between the male and female, a good-sized speci-
men of the latter spreading two inches. Tlie larva feeds on apple,
birch, maple and asli. It is flattened beneath and fringed with liairs
BOMBYCIDS. 91
on the sides, like T. velleda. It is gray above, with irreguhir white
spots, and striped with sooty bhxck, having two scarlet l)ands crossing
the forward part of the body, on each of which are three black spots.
The nnder side is orange.
The caterpillar measures over two inches in length when fuU}^
grown, and makes a gray-brown cocoon on the tree upon which it
feeds. Tlie moth emerges in June or early in July.
To the genus Anisota belong several pretty native insects. They
are not large, the largest spreading less tlian thi'ee inches. The
sexes differ so much in coloring, size and shape as to scarcely be
recognized as the same species. The antenme of the females are
narrow, while in the males they are pectinated for two-thirds of their
length. The larv;e feed on various forest trees and are sometimes so
abundant as to completely strip the trees of tlieir leaves. These in-
sects pupate in the ground.
Anisota seiiatona.
Aniaofa senatoria is a connnon species in the eastern United States
and Canada, and may be taken the latter part of June about electric
liglits at night or found in the daytime clinging to grass-stalks under
oak-trees, where they have rested to ex})and their wings after leaving
the chrysalis sliell. The female moth deposits her eggs in clusters
on the under side of the leaves of oak-trees, and the larvie may some-
times be seen in immense ruimbers.
They are apparently gregarious during their entire caterpillar
state and in casting their skins they congregate on the ends of the
twigs leaving their wrinkled cast-off coverings where they often re-
main after the larvte are full grown and have departed. When
young they eat only the small and tender leaves, devouiing the
92 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
larger and tougher ones as the_y grow in size and strength, often
stripping whole acres of forests of their leaves. When not feeding,
the caterpillars congregate in immense clnsters, bending down the
smaller twigs with their weight. They are dark brown or black in
color, with dark ochreous yellow stripes on their sides and back, and
are armed witli short 8})ines on each segment, and two liorns on the
segment next tlie head. They are stiff, hard and rough when fully
grown, and during the early part of September crawl down the trees
and burrow five or six inclies into the ground, where they remain in
the pupa state during the winter. The chrysalis is hard and spiny ;
and when the moth is about to break the shell it works its way to
the surface, where the empty case may be found protruding from the
ground after the insect lias flown. The female moth expands two
and a half inches, and is of an ochreous yellow color, with a reddish
cast, tinged slightly witli purple along the outer margin of the fore
wings. The u})[)er wings are stip[)lc<l with faint brown s[)ots and
have a small white dot near the centre. The male is much smaller
than the female. Its Avings look small in proportion to its body and
are [)urplis]i-bi'()\vn, darker towai'd the tips of the fore wings, whieli
liave a white spot in the centre.
Anisofd ><tl</ina is not nearly so common an insect as the jtreceding
species, and 1 have never seen it al)undaiit. The habits of the cater-
pillar are similar to tliose of A. senatoria ; but it is much lighter in
color, being a tawny orange with dark stripes on its sides and back.
Its spines are also longer. The female moth very much resemljles
A. se7iatori(i, l»ut is richer and more reddisli in coloring, with larger
spots of dark brown or l)lack on its wings. Tlie male is more like
the female in color than is the male of the other species, and has a
large white s})ot in the centre of the fore wings. The wings are also
spotted with dark brown. This insect varies a good deal in the in-
tensity of its coloring. Especially is this the case with the male,
which is sometimes almost red. The male expands an inch and
three-quarters and the female nearl}^ three inches.
In Aimota viri/iiiietisis the scales are thinly scattered over the
wings, so that they ap})ear almost transparent. The female is more
purple than the other two species, and lacks the sprinkle of browii
spots. The male is small and purple-brown in color, Avith a scaleless,
transparent patch in tlie middle of each of tlie wings. Tliis insect I
have never found abundant. The female moth is about the size of
A. i<enatori<(, but the male is smaller than tlie male of that species.
BOMBYCIDS. 93
The larva of tliis insect, like the two preceding, lives on the oak. It
is of a clnll grayish-green color, with indistinct stripes of pinkisli, and
is stippled with white dots. It is armed with short spines and liorns,
and, like the otlier species of tlie genus, is rough and liaid.
Anisota rubieuiid.-i.
Ayiisota ruhicmida is very varia))le in its abundance or scarcity,
and is sometimes to be taken in numl)ers where, during the next sea-
son, it may be rare. The species is usually very abundant in Wasli-
ington, D. C, where the larva lives on the maple-trees, frequently
doing much damage. The trees in the Smithsonian grounds are in-
fested with the caterpillars, and the })erfect insects just out of tlieir
chrysalids may be taken by tlie dozen in June clinging to the grass
stalks under the trees. One mav even gatlier tlie live chrvsalides as
Chrysalis of Anisota rubicunda.
they protrude from their l)urrows and have the pleasure of watching
the imprisoned moth emerge in one's own room. It is a beautiful
insect. The fore wings are a delicate pink with a wide yellow band
crossing them diagonally, while the lower wings are yellow with the
lower margin pink. The body is yellow, and very soft and down}'.
The males ai-e much smaller than tlieir mates, and their coloring is
usually much stronger. The insect spreads from one and a half to
two and a half inches. The larva is two inches long, is light green
striped longitudinally with dark green, and is horned in front, spin}-
along its back and sides, and is hrm and rough to the touch. It
94
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
seems to be more plentiful in the Soutli tlian the North, and is, I be-
lieve, a rare insect in New England.
We now come to the two genera CitJicroiu'x and JlJdrles, the royal
moths, both represented by large species. They are very stout-bodied
moths and hairy or woolly. The antennoi of the males are broadly
pectinated for two-thirds of their length, the same organs of the
females being simple. Their wings are strong, Imt they fly only by
night. The larva' are armed with horns on tlie forward part of their
bodies and are also somewhat hairy. They spin no cocoons, but pass
the winter in tlie [)Upa state under ground. Tlie clirysalis is spiny
on the abdominal segments, doubtless to enable it to push itself up
to the surface when the moth is about to break the shell.
Citlierouia regalis. Male.
Citheronia reuaVis is a large and strikingly marked insect, and is
not rare in the South and West, where the caterpillar feeds on the
leaves of the walnut, hickory, butternut and persimmon. The sexes
frequently differ very much in size, although similarly marked. A
good-sized male will measure four inches across its expanded wings,
and a female six or more. I have a grand female specimen of this
insect from Gainesville, Xa., wliicli is nearl}' seven inches across.
BOMBYCIDS. 95
The body is reddish-orange, withyeHow spots and lines on the thorax.
The up[)er wings are olive streaked with broad reddish lines wdiich
follow tlie veins, and a nnndjer of large j-ellow spots are distributed
over the wings as shown in the illustration. The lower wings are
reddish-orange, with a few vague olive markings between the veins,
a large spot and a defused band of yellow near the upper margin,
which is usually covered with the upper wings. I have taken this
fine moth about the electric lights in Washington, D. C, where it is
not rare, have found specimens in Illinois and Arkansas, and have no
doubt but that it inhabits all the Southern and Western States as
far west as Kansas ; but it must l)e considered a rare insect in north-
ern New England.
An insect very closely allied to this I have seen in collections
from Mexico, also from Colombia and Brazil, South America.
A friend living in Norwich, Conn., has succeeded in finding the
larva of this moth there for several consecutive years, feeding on the
leaves of the sumac, and lias reared the perfect insects, of Avhich he
has sent me specimens.
The caterpillar is one of our largest, if not the very largest,
being four or five inches in length, thick in proportion and very for-
midable in appearance, owing to a number of large curved spines
with which it is armed on the forward part of the body. It is green
in color, banded across the rings with blue. The head, legs, and
large spines near the head are orange and the shorter spines black.
Although a formidable-looking creature, it is perfectly harmless.
When ready to pupate in September, the insect burrows into tlie
ground, where it transforms into a stout brown chrysalis. This chrys-
alis works its way to the surface of the ground the latter part of
the following June, and the fly emerging crawls to a neighboring
busli, and there hangs suspended until its wings have developed and
are rigid enough to support it in flight. It is a sluggish insect, and
when found may be carried home on the twig to whicli it is attached
without danger of its taking flight.
Eaeles imperialis resembles the preceding, both in the larval and
perfect state. Although not differing greatly in size, the males
being slightly smaller than their mates, there is a marked difference
in the coloring of the sexes. The ground color of both male and
female is a rich yellowish-buff. In the male the forward wings are
brownish-purple on the inner half, connected witli a l)road band of
the same color extendino- alono- tlie outer margin. The lower wings
9(3
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
have an irregular wavy line of the same color crossing tlieni with a
ronnd spot and a vagne patch above. Both upper and lower wings,
particularly the foiiner, are stippled with blended spots of dark brown
or black. The thorax and abdomen are mottled with yellowish-l)uff
and brownisli-purple. The female is lighter than her mate, all four
wings being crossed with a band of brownis]i-[)urple, with an irregu-
lar clouded patch of the same color at the base of each wing near the
bod}'. The body is mottled and the wings sti})pled much the same
as with the male. A good-sized s})ecimen of this fine insect will
measure five and a half inches across its expanded wings. It is not
rare throughout the eastern half of the United States and Canada,
and two or three closely allied species or varieties of the same species
(one of them considerably larger than our own) occur thi'oughout
Mexico and temperate and tropical South America.
The esfp-s are dei)osited sino-lv on the button-wood, oak, and the
different species of pine, and the cater[)illars may be found full grown
in September. They are usually dark green in color, although occa-
sionally brown or even black, three or four inches long when full
grown, and are rather hairj^ Each segment is armed with shoi't
rougli spines, with four larger ones on the foi-ward part of the body.
'^ -' 1 -'i
Larva of Eacles iinptTialis.
The spiricles are very distinctl}' marked on the sides. The larva
burrows into the ground, where it transforms into a chrysalis, remain-
ing in this state during the winter. The chrysalis, wliich is nnicli
like that of C. rtu/aUs, makes its way to the surface of the ground,
where it emerges a moth in June, and the empty pupa case may be
found partly protruding fi'om its burrow after the motli has flown.
As the larva of this insect is a large and stout creature, it might
be supposed that it would be readily seen ; but as it is frequently
located on the high branches of large trees and is usually of the same
color as the leaves, it is not an easy insect to find. Wliere pine or
sycamore trees overhang a road or a well-worn path the huge pellets
Male Moib.
y
S;^m
Female Moth.
EAGLES IMPERIALIS.
BOMBYCIDS. 99
of excrement dropped by the caterpillar will enable one to search out
its whereabouts. When found it is not an easy thing to dislodge
him, as he has a tenacious gras[) of the twig to which he clings.
The moth is sluggish in its movements, but flies well when once
on the wing, and may occasionally be taken about electric lights.
iSaturnia io is a familiar insect to most persons having a slight
acquaintance with our native lepidopteria, and like several otlier
native insects belonging to this family of BomI>i/ciJcv is a very lovely
creature. The predominating color of the male, which expands tliree
Saturnia io. Female.
inches, is a yellowish-buff, deeper on the lower wings, the fore Avings
having a pur[)le-l)rown spot a little above the centre of the wing,
witli tAvo wavy lines near the outer margin, and one near the base of
the wing, of the same color. In the middle of the lower wing is a
large bluish spot with a white centre, having a broad ring of black
encircling it. Outside of this is a sharp black line and* then a red-
dish-purple line which broadens out into a wide l)and on the inner
margin. The body is yellow, and the antennte, wliich are red, are
broad and pectinated. The female is considerably larger than the
male. The upper wings are a deep ])rownisli-purple crossed by
darker bands edged with fine wavy lines of yellow. The lower
wings are much like those of the male except that the bluish spot is
larger in proportion and the colors generally darker. The thorax is
purple-brown and the abdomen reddish-brown. Tlie antennjo are
narrow and slightly pectinated.
The eggs of the female are laid on the leaves of a variety of trees
— oak, willow, locust, poplar, apple, etc., — and are deposited in a
100
JNIOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
compact patch of from thirty to eighty, or more, on the iiiKk-r side
of a leaf. When the caterpillars hatch they are reddish-brown in
color and covered with minnte S|)ines. J'hey are gregarious in their
habits during the earlier part of their existence, feeding, resting and
moving from })hice to place in regular order. When half-grown they
separate, and dnring tlie I'cmainder of the caterpillar state sliift for
themselves. The mature larva is two and a half inches long, of a
IjHiva of Satuniiu io.
light green color, with a white stripe edged witli red(hsh-]>urple
extending along tlie sides. It is profusel}' covered with l)rancliing
spines wdhch are very sliarp, and wlien carelessly touched sting like
the nettle, causing tlie })art affected to swell into whitish })iin[)les,
smarting paiid'ully for an hour or two. When about to })U[)ate the
larva descends to the ground, where it draws together a few dead
Chrysalis and cocoon of Saturnia io.
leaves and s})ius among them a thin, irregular, brown cocoon, in
which it })asses the winter, coming out as a moth late the following
June. This insect is readily attracted with a Ijright light, and the
males ma}^ be asseud)led in numbers with a ca})tive female.
Saturnia m<ua. When tlie leaves of the oak are unfolding in the
spring colonies of small, dark brown, s[)iny larvte may be found on
them by diligent seai'ch. These are the young of the maia moth, and
they may be easily reared by enclosing a small scrub-oak in mos(]uito
netting and allowing the larvte to feed. As the larvie mature they
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES
DENTON
9
SATURNIA 10
BOMBYCIDS. 101
become solitary in their habits, and when fnlly or()\vn are tbree inches
h)ng, and, like the preceding, are covered with sharp branching-
spines which sting, but in a less degree than Saturnia w, if the in-
sect is handled carelessl}^ The larva is brown in color, with reddish-
brown head and legs, the tnbercles at the base of the spines being
also reddish-ljrown. When about to pupate the caterpillar crawls to
the ground and, drawing a collection of leaves and sticks together,
spins a loose, thin cocoon among them.
Saturnia iiiaia. Male.
Tlie moth emerges late in the fall, usually al)out the middle of
Octol)er, and is one of the last of our lepidopteia wliicli the collector
may take on the wing. The maia moth is a day-ilicr, and ma}" be
seen on mild autunni days when the woods and fields are brown,
hovering over the shrubby oaks.
The males are easily assembled with a ca})tive female. The sexes
ai'e readily distinguished from each other. The male has a broad
feather-like antenna (while that of the female is narrow) and the end
of the abdomen is adorned witli a tuft of red hairs which the female
does not have. The wings seem to be thinly covered with scales,
and on tliat account are partly trans^)arent.
This moth is often very local, and may be al)undant in one local-
ity while scarce in another, apparently as favorable to its hal)ita-
tion. It may be readily taken on the wing Avith the net, and when
fresh and perfect is an exceedingly pretty insect, its colors of soft
blackish-brown, creamy-white, and bright red harmonizing in a pleas-
ing manner. The female may sometimes be found by watching the
102
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
movements of the males, who seem to scent them out, fluttering near
the spot wliere the female rests concealed on a scru]>oak.
Next in order comes the group of mollis called Attaci, which
includes many of the largest silk-producing species.
Attacus eecropia is our largest native silk-spinning insect, and
easily holds its place among the giant lepidoptera of the world.
Specimens are occasionally taken six and one-lialf or even seven
inches from tip to tip of their extended wings ; and were it not so
common, it would he much higher piized l)y collectors. When fresh
from the cocoon, its wings (still soft, hut fully expanded ) have the
a})peara]ice of being a part of some rich and heavy fabric, and a gentle-
man with whom I am acquainted having interests in a woollen mill,
remarked, on seeing one of these grand moths for the lirst time,
••'Now" if I could manufacture a piece of goods like that, I think it
would sell.'' The sulxlned colors and the delicately traced patterns
of many of the moths would, if imitated in fabrics, give greater
variety and more artistic effects to the matei-ials used for our adorn-
ment and cond'ort. The female eecropia moth, the bulk of whose
enormous body is composed almost wholly of eggs (two or three
hundred in numl)er), lays them singly or at the most two or three
together on the under side of the leaves of the food plant. Tliese
eggs are circular in shape, slightly flattened above and below, and
Ijarva of Attacus eecropia.
are creamy-white in color. The young caterpillars make their ap})ear-
ance in ten or twelve days and are at first dark browai or black,
covered with minute tubercles and stout black spines. At each
moult they change in color, and when three-quarters of an inch long
are orange or dee[) yellow studded with black tubercles and spines.
The insect assumes a greenish and finally a beautiful bluish-green
color as it matures, eventually reaching a length of three or four
inches and a thickness of one's thumb. It is then an imposing-look-
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES
DENTON
""""Hiitii^
ATTACUS CECROPIA
BOMBYCIDS. 103
ing creature with large coral-red tubercles on tlie forward part of its
body, yellow ones on its l)ack, and smaller 1)lue ones on its sides and
about its liead, all covered with sliort black bristles. It clasps the
bough or twig on wliicli it rests with a wonderful tenacity, and if
placed on one's linger the gras}) of its fleshy feet with their minute
hooks is very noticeable. It lias a peculiar odor, both in the larva
and the moth state, wliicli may l)e of some protection to tlie animal.
Toward the end of September the caterpillar constructs its coarse,
l)r()wn, elongated cocoon, which is usually attached on one side to a
twig or l)rancli. 'I'his cocoon is composed of two parts, consisting of
a loose, wrinkled outer covering and a well-shaped and dense inner
pod, with fine floss silk separating the two, wliicli are both loosely
Section of cocoon of Attacus ci'cropia.
s})un at one end to enable the moth to make its escape. There is
frequently a marked difference lietween tlie cocoons found on trees
and shrubs on high ground and those taken from low liushes and
shrubs in swampy districts. The latter are frequently two or three
times as large externally as the upland variety, and have a large
amount of the floss silk between the outer and inner coverings.
This variation I cannot explain, and have noticed no difference in
the moths emerging from the two varieties of cocoons other than
that tlie SAvamp-inhabiting specimens appear larger and riclier in
coloring than their upland relations. Sometimes the cocoons of these
species are to be found in large numbers. In the suburbs of Chicago
they may be seen on the shade trees in dozens and sometimes in hun-
dreds ; and I have known two men to collect a bushel of them in
104
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
this locality in half a day. The moth emerges about the 20tli of
Jiiuo, iisnally in tlie morning; and 13}=^ evening its wings are rigid
and it is ready to take flight. As these moths take no nourishment
tlieir lives ai'e very short after reaching maturity. Resting hidden
Swamp ami iiplaiid forms of cocoons of Atlacus cecropia.
by day among the leaves, tlie males sally forth at evening in search of
their mates guided by their keen sense of smell, and having insured
the continuance of the species for another year, they soon perisli.
Tliis insect inliabits a large part of the continent east of tlie
Kocky Mountains. In C'ohn-ado, Utali, California and the far West
generally its place is occupied by closely allied forms, very lai'ge and
heavy-l)o(lied insects, in whieli red and dark hiown colors pre(h)nii-
nate. 'J'wo or three species of Affanis from Mexico are interesting,
from having a trairsparent almond-shaped spot in tlie centre of each
wing. One of these, Affarmi sph'H(h'H><, is a lovely creature, on
whose wings })ink, bi'own, purple, black and white are mingled,
making a very pleasing combination. There is frequently great
variation in the coloring of these moths.
Attacks ct/nthia is a species which has been introduced into this
country and Europe from China, and may now be found in a wild
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES
DENTON
t
ATTACUS CYNTHIA
BOMBYCIDS. 105
state in tlie vicinity of New York City, Philadelphia and other
places where its food plant, the alantlius, has been cultivated as a
shade tree. It became so common in Philadelphia and Washington,
D. C, at one time as to be a pest, and threatened the destruction of
the trees ; l)ut the parasites and birds seem now able to cope with
it and liold it in check.
Tliis insect is reared in Asiatic countries for its silk, wliich is
said to be strong and very durable, but lacks the beauty of that
})rodticed by Bomhi/.r mori. It was probably foi' its silk tliat it was
introduced into this country, l)ut that it has ever Ijeen successfully
utdized here for the manufacture of fabrics I have yet to learn.
The female lays two hnndi-ed to three hundred ci'eam-colored eggs,
and the young caterpillars are yellowish profuselv adorned with
black s[)ots and tubercles. The mature caterpillar is tlii'ee inches
long, of a clear bluish-green color adorned with l)lue tul)ercles. The
cocoon is similar in shape to that prodttced by the next species de-
scribed, Attacus promctliid^ and is a little laig'er.
h\ some parts of the country the insect is double-bi'ooded, tlie
second brood remaining in its cocoons during tlie winter months,
coming otit late in June. The moth is a fine large insect, expand-
ing, in large specimens, four or five inches. The females are ustially
a good deal larger, with broader wings than their mates.
Attacus promethia is a very abundant species throughout a large
part of the United States and Canada, and is one of the first of the
family witli whose life history the amateur collector is likely to
Income acqttainted. The female moth deposits her eggs in -July on
tlie twigs of the wild cherry, sassafras and button-bush, sonietimes
five or six together and at others twenty or thirty or more in a
Larva of Attacus proiiietbia.
cltister ; and toward the end of that month the minute caterpillars
make their way out and mount to the top of the tree or bush, where
they may be found feeding on the tender young leaves. When fully
grown the caterpillar is one of the handsomest, being two inches
long, half an inch thick, very smooth and plump, and of a light
bluish-green color. There are four cylindrical coral-red tubercles on
106 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLlEvS.
the upper part of tlie body just back of the head and a large yellow
one near the tail end. Numerous small blue warts occur in regular
order on the back and sides. The head, legs and posterior })art of
the body are 3^ellow. Wliile feeding these caterpillars usually re-
main among the tender leaves on tlie new growth, and several are
generally found in close })roximity. On reaching maturity the
caterpillar d(?scends to the lower part of tlie bush and begins spin-
ning its cocoon. After selecting a leaf suitaljle for its purpose, it
commences by spinning a quantity of silk along tlie brancli and
down the stem of the leaf in order to make it secure for the winter.
Cocoon of Attaous iiroiiietliia.
It then draws the sides of the leaf together with silk, and therein
spins its tough, browiiisli cocoon. Tlie silk is very strong, and the
cocoons are attached so firmly to the twigs liy their slender cord that
they ride secure for the winter. In fact, one may often find cocoons
which have weathered the blasts of several seasons still iirnily at-
tached. The upper end of the cocoon, which is double like Aftacus
cearopia^ is so loosely spun that the moth has little difficulty in forc-
ing its way out. This silk could proljabl}^ l)e made useful in the
arts, as it is very strong and durable and the caterpillars could be
reared in the open air in countless thousands with little difficulty.
The moths emerge from the cocoons the latter })art of June and
the iirst of July, the females differing so much from the males as
easily to be mistaken for different s})ecies. The male is a very oily
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES
DENTON
Under Side
ATTACUS PROMETHIA MALE
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES
DENTON
ATTACUS PROMETHIA FEMALE
Male Moih.
m^
Female Moth.
ATTACUS ANGULIFERA.
r.OMBYCIDS. 109
insect, and in preparing" s[)ecimeiis for the cabinet tlie abdomen
should l)e opened from the under side and its contents removed, the
space l)cung lilled witli cotton. Aff((cHs promethia is a day-fl^^er ;
hut altliough such a common insect, it is sekh)ni seen on the wing- un-
less one is assembling the males witli a captive female. AVhen
following u[) the scent, the insects do not seem to know fear, and
one may gatlicr l)y hand the s[)ecimens hovering about a captive
female, almost as readily as he may pick roses in a garden.
One of my brothers had an amusing experience on one of his
collecting tours through tlie country where he carried a live female,
Attaeus pyomctlda^ fastene<I in a net to the frame of his l)icycle.
In wheeling along the road he could watch the train of eager suitors
as they followed his tracks, crossing wliere he crossed and stopping
and circling about wliere he stop[)ed. C'oming to a farndiouse, he
went in for ii drirdv of water leaning liis wheel against a tree. As
the good lady brought out the drink of water he innocently asked
her if she ever saw any butterflies in that neighborhood. " No,"
said she, '' they are pretty scarce about here ; I don't know when I
have seen one." By this time the train of moths began to arrive
and flutter al)Out the lawn. ''•Why," said tlie old lady, "•there is
one noM', a big one ; and there is another and another. 1 haven't
seen so mau}^ butterflies before this summer. Why look at them.
Did you ever see tlie like? 1 never saw so many Initterflies before
in all my life." Having thanked her for the water, my brotlier
mounted his wlieel and rode away, followed by the flock of '' butter-
flies," leaving tlie old lady standing on the lawn and looking after
liini in open-mouthed wonder.
Att((ciii< (IN c/hI if (')■(( is a niotli closely related to the preceding. It
is a rare insect in the Northei'U and Eastern States, but is plentiful
in some parts of the South, where the lava feeds on the leaves of the
buttonwood. The cocoons spun l»y tliis caterpilhxi-, whicli closely
re>^en\hles A. proiiicthid, also resemljle tliose of tliat insect, and are
attached to the stems in the same manner. They are, however,
larger and less firm. Tlie moths hatch in June, and are day-flying
insects. Tlie female is a rich tan color, with a black wavy line ex-
tending across all the wings and the eye-spot near the tip of the foie
wing, similar to A. prometliki. The male somewhat resenililes the
female of A. prometliia in the color pattern of its wings, but is of a
dark yellowish and oclireous-3'ellow stippled with dark brown or
black.
110
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
The large and fine moth, Telea poh/jthemus, is a native of the
eastern half of the United States, and is a familiar object to every
one Avho has made a collection of native le}tidoptera. The eggs of
the moth, two or three hundred in nnndjer, are usually laid singly
on the leaves of a vaiiet}^ of trees, oalc beiug its favorite food plant,
while maple, elm, birch, chei'ry, linden and other trees frequently
furnisli its fleshy light green larva witli sustenance. The hirva may
easily be distinguished from the larva of Acfias /(/>;r/, wliieh it (dosely
resembles, by the seven oblicjue yellow lines on each side of its ab-
dominal segments, Avhile the larva of ^1. Jinui has a, lateral yellow
stripe. It is a large and luuidsome caterpillar, \\hen full}' grown
Larva of Telea polyphenms.
measuring three or four inches in lengtli and thicker than one's
thumb, while each of tlie segments is adorned with pearl-colored
tubercles from whicli spring silvery hairs. The caterpillar spins its
whitish oval cocoon in Se})tember, and passes the winter in the pupa
Cocoon of Telea polypheiinis.
state. The cocoon is usually spun among the leaves still on the
tree, and generally falls to the ground witli the leaves. Tlie silk is
strong, nearly white and of a silvery lustre, and as it is spun in a
continuous thread, it may with care l)e unwound after soaking in
warm water in Avhich has l)een dissolved a little baking soda. This
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES
DENTON
TELEA POLYPHEMUS
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES
DENTON
^^mq^\
TELEA POLYPHEMUS
BOMBYCIDS. Ill
silk liiis been used for UKinufacturing- into fabrics, and although it
has not the fineness of tlie silk of Botnhyx mori, it is exceedingly
durable and beautiful, and a garment made from it would probably
last a life-time.
Many experiments have been tried from time to time with the
view of making this insect of commej'cial value as a silk producer,
but thus far, I believe, without success. The greatest difficulty
seems to be to unwind the silk from the cocoons rapidly enough and
in a sufficiently large quantity to make the operation financially suc-
cessful. It seems as if here was a fair field for the inventor. What
clothing we might have if tlie silk from the cocoon of Tclea poly-
phemuH could be unwound, spun and woven into cloth inexpensively.
Just think of the undei'gai'ments, socks, gloves, etc., we might wear,
not to mention the curtains, portieres, rugs and carpets that might
adoru and bring comfort to our homes. I believe this will be
achieved at no distant day. As the food plants of this insect abound
almost everywhere where there are forests, the food supply is unlim-
ited. The caterpillars are hardy and could be reared out of doors
in innumerable millions with the simplest contrivances ; and with
simple and efficient methods of manufacture, silk goods should be as
cheap as cotton.
It is interesting to watdi one of these large caterpillars spin its
cocoon. Tlie spinneret is located just below the jaws, and as he
moves his head backward and forward tlie silken thread is drawn
out. It takes about three days continuous laljor to complete the
cocoon, and when it is nearly finished the caterpillar gives the w"liole
interior a coating of waterproof varnish, which when dry makes the
cocoon feel hard and firm.
When the moth is about to emerge, a liquid is discharged from a
pland located where the mouth should be, if it had one, which dis-
solves the substance which binds the threads together, when they are
pushed aside and the insect escapes from a large round hole in the
end of the cocoon.
There is considerable variation in the color of the moths. Some
are yellowish, some buff, while otliers have a decided i-eddish or pink-
ish tint. These latter are frequently veiy large and beautiful speci-
mens. Telea polypliemus is a night-flyer and on this account although
a common insect is rarely seen unless one knows just wliere and
when to look for it. The males are easily assembled with a caged
female, and when the cocoons are hatching in one's attic the males
112 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
outside will sometimes keep up such a fluttering against the win-
dows of the house in their mad desire to get in, that sleep is out of
the question.
The surpassingly beautiful Actias luna^ with its translucent pea-
green wings bordered with })urple, is justly esteemed by collectors as
one of tlie most lovely creatures the insect world affords. When
fresh from the cocoon, its downy wings fully ex})anded and perfect
in every detail, it is a delightful creature to look upon, and is famil-
iar to most persons who have lived any time in the country, the long
tails of its hind wings and green color making it easily distinguislied
from any other insect known to the United States or Canada. The
moths emerge from their cocoons in June, and may frequently be
seen on moonlight nights flying among the upper brandies of the
forest trees. Being very light they look almost white in the moon-
light. They are dithcult to catch on the wing unless one has a fe-
male with which to assemble them, as they fly so high. They usu-
ally rest quietly among the foliage in the daytime, and on account of
their protective coloring are ditticult to lind.
The eggs of the moth are laid singly on the leaves of the walnut,
hickory, birch, chestnut and other forest trees about the middle of
June, and the caterpillars soon hatch. Tliey are dark in color at
this stage and covered with hairs. They reacli their full size early
in September, and are tlien two and a half to three inches long, as
thick as one's thundj, and of a translucent green with a yellow
stripe extending along each side, a similarly colored band running
transversely across the back l)etween each of the segments and mina-
ture pearl-colored tubercles along the back and sides, which bear
many short, light yellow hairs. This larva closely resembles the
Telea poli/phemus larva in shape and size, but the latter has larger
tubercles, the segments are more humped, and it lacks the continu-
ous yellow stripe on the sides. The larvae spin their thin, brownish
cocoons among the leaves, still fresh and green, and when they fall,
the cocoons fall with them and are covered up on the ground by
other leaves and by tlie snow, whicli protects them from the severe
frosts of winter. Many of them are found by the moles, skunks,
crows and jays and liclp eke out the scanty rations of these animals
during tlie months of scarcity. One may find the cocoons in autumn
and early spring by searching among the fallen leaves under the
walnut and birch trees. This insect is not ver}' hardy, l)ut may be
reared wdth care from the egg or the caterpillar, although the moths
/
f
■'/ ■
ACTIAS LUXA.
:\[ale.
BOMBYCIDS. 115
are apt to be small in size, as tlie insect does not seem to tlirive well
in captivity.
I am in hopes of lindiiig a method of hreediiig luiia moths of
good size, bnt so far the efforts of my brothers and self have re-
snlted ill pigmies. This insect is sometimes found in great abun-
dance, and 1 have seen the sidewalk under an electric lamp littered
with tlieir wings, the insects attracted to the light having probably
been devoured by l)ats.
Cabinet specimens should be ke[)t out of the liglit, or they will
soon lose their beauty. A good-sized insect of this species will
expand five inches. The females are generally of a bluish-green,
while the males are more yellowish. The broad band along the
upper margin of each fore Aving, extending across tlie thorax, is
purplish-brown. On each wing is a transparent eye-like sjiot sur-
rounded by rings of maroon, ochre-3'ellow and IJack. The body
is very downy and cottony-white, and the antennte are ochre-yel-
low. The insect has a wide range over a large part of the country.
Allied species are found in Central America and in Japan and
China.
The silkworm par excellence (^Bomhyx mori')^ domesticated in
China at a very early date, was long ago introduced into Europe and
later into America, where it is still cultivated to a limited extent.
The rearing of the larvie and reeling of the silk of this species has
not met with the success predicted for silk culture in this country ;
and although the government took up the prol)lem in a scientilic
manner at their experimental station in the Agricultural I)e})artinent
in Washington, D. C, after a great many attempts covering several
years, the enterprise was finally abandoned. One great obstacle in
connection with the successful rearing of tliis insect in large num-
bers is the fact that it thrives well only on the mulberry tree (its
native food plant) and the osage orange, necessitating the cultiva-
tion of these trees over large areas. It is also much less hardy tlian
the larvie of most of our silk-spinning moths. Tlie insects, too, are
very susceptible to several contagious diseases which sometimes carry
off hundreds of thousands in a single night.
Tlie female moth lays three hundred or more eggs, which are
round and of a light yellow color, and are usually attached to the
})aper generally provided for this purpose by a secretion furnislied by
the moth. The eggs soon begin to turn dark, and the young cater-
pillar when it makes its escape is dark gray, clotUed with long hairs
116 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
which Spring from tubercles on its sides and hack. Witli each moult
the cater[)illar grows lighter, and when fully grown is two inches
long, dull yellowish in color, with a curved horn somewhat resem-
bling tliat of the larva of a sphinx moth on the posterior end, and
the lirst three segments next tlie head very much swollen and
wrinkled, Tlie interior of the body is tilled largely with the silk
glands, extending one on either side in a loosely-wrinkled tube.
These are the glands from which, after the larva is steeped in vine-
gar, the silk gut so useful to tlie angler is manufactured. The
cocoons are often very beautiful and s} inmetrical, usually oval, but
sometimes constricted slightly al)out tlie middle. They are ordinarily
light yellow, though sometimes silvery white, greenish or flesh color.
The moths emerge in about three weeks. They are cream colored
with two indistinct lines across the fore wings, and as they expand
only a little over an inch, are small in jiroportion to the size of the
larva and the cocoon. Neither male nor female is able to fly, and
after leaving the cocoons the}' pair, the females lay their eggs and
soon die.
This insect has been so long under cultivation that several varie-
ties have been produced which, if found in a wild state, would be
considered distinct species. The original wild stock is not known,
but may yet be found in some of the little-known interior districts of
China or India.
An insect which is fast becoming well known through the United
States and Canada through the efforts of the Massachusetts legis-
lature in distril)uting profusely illustrated literature on the subject,
is the Gypsy moth, Oeneria or Porthetria disj)a)\ an importation
from Europe. The larva of this moth, to which little in the Avay of
vegetation seems to come amiss, is a most destructive pest, and, but
for the efforts of the state, which has appropriated large sums of
money for its extermination, the insect would doubtless ere this have
spread over the whole of the eastern half of Massachusetts. At
present it is confined to a limited extent of countr}^ within Middlesex
County, and it is lioped that l)y persistent efl'ort it may l)e entirely
eradicated. The insect is attacked at every stage of its development.
About the trunks of trees in infected districts l)a.nds of burlaj) are
secured, and under these the larvie are often found resting during
the day, they being night-feeders. The pu]);e concealed about stone
walls, on fences and tree-trunks and like places, frequently in im-
mense numbers, are destroyed when found. The egg clusters are
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES
DENTON
OCNERIA DISPAR
BOMBYCIDS. 117
gathered and Ijuriied or treated witli a solution wliieh destroys tlieir
life. Whole areas of foi'est and scrub land have been eleared and
burned over to anniliilate the pest. The work of the lioard for the
extermination of tliis pest lias met witli a good deal of adverse criti-
cism, but that its labor of keeping in check this foreign army of
invasion lias been tlioroughly performed, is shown by the fact that
in many places where luost abundant a few years ago it is now a
very scarce insect. In fact one may walk for miles through parts of
the infested area and not see a sign of its presence.
The male motli is mucli smaller than his mate and can fly, Avhile
the female, although iirovided with wings, cannot use them in flight.
The distribution of tlie insect, therefore, even if unrestricted, would
be slow. Tlie eggf> are laid in clusters, usually on the bark of a tree,
although tlie moth does not seem to be particular in this respect.
The clusters are covered with hairs from the abdomen of the female
and being ochre yellow in eolor are readily seen. The larva is
brown and is tliickly covered with stiff hairs, while red and Ijlue
tubercles adorn its back.
Portliesia cliiysorrhoea.
Anotlicr iin])ortation from Euro[)e which has also found a foothold
in eastern Massachusetts, although not nearly so destructive as the
Gypsy moth, is the Brown-tail moth, Porthesia chri/Horrhoea. The
moth is creamy white, with a white body tipped at the end of the
abdomen with a tuft of brown liairs, from whicli the insect derives
its common name. Tlie larva is dark brown or black, with reddish
hairs covering the body except on the sides, where there is a row of
small tuljercles from whicli s]>ring white hairs. There are sevei'al
small scarlet warts on the back. This insect is a good deal of a pest
where abundant, as it devours the leaves of several of our fruit and
shade trees and measures may have to be taken to prevent its increase
and spread.
118
MOTHS AND BUTTEHFLIES.
A number of the following stout-bodied, liairy moths l)eloiio- to
the family Natodmita. Some of them resemV)le tlie Noctuids, both
in the })U|)a and perfect state, and may easily be mistaken for them.
The larvie, which often bear humps, tuljercles and spines in many of
the species, have but four paii's of abdominal legs used in crawling,
tlie last pair being prolonged into tails or are held above tlie support-
ing twigs while at rest. Some of the larva' are naked and others
sparingly clothed with soft hairs. They feed on the leaves of trees
and shrubs, often in great numbers, and their transformation usually
takes place beneath tlie ground.
•2
Ueiiua borealis.
Ccrura hotralis is a whitish moth, marked with l)rown Ijands
acioss the U})})er wings, and is interesting from its peculiarly shaped
Larva of Cerura borealis.
larva, which has a forked prolongation or tail ada[ited from the last:
pair of abdominal legs. When distuil)ed it }»ushes out from the end
of this forked tail two fleshy orange-colored tilaments, which it bends
over its back or sides as if to protect itself. This larva is naked, is
green and })urplish in color, and feeds on the poplar and choke-
cherry ; its color is protective, and it looks wliile feeding on a leaf
a dried and withered part of it.
Clusters of a smooth, bluish, yellow and Ijhick-striped larva, with
tlie liead and a hump on the [)Osterior end of the body, orange-red,
BOMBYCIDS.
119
may often be seen hanging to the stems and leaves of tlie oak in
September. This is the larva of Edema alhifroni< and is sometimes
Larva of Edema albifrous.
abundant enongh to do considerable damage to the trees. Wlien not
feeding, and especially if disturbed, the caterpillars bend the head
Edema albifrous.
and rear end of the body over the l)ack. The perfect insect lias
l)ro\vn upper wings with a whitish l)aii(l along the up[)er margin, and
light vellowisli-brown lower wings.
A curiously luimped caterpillar is the larva of Ccelodasi/s, of
which we have several species. Coelodasi/s utiicornis is buff-gra}^,
Larva of Ccelodasys.
with darker markings, and Cadodasi/s hi(juttafa is gray with In'own
markino's and lio-]it brown hind wino-s.
120
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
A closely related species is Nericc hidentata., a little iiiotli wliicli
is rather rare. The upper half of the upper wings is Ijrown with an
uneven dark l)r(>\vn line runnino- from hase to niai'O'in. Below this is
Neiice bideiitata.
a white area gradually shading into liglit l)i'o\vn. Tlie lower wings
are light l)rown.
Anotlier curiously huni|)ed caterjiillar is the larva of (UiJi'iiuix/d
conrutna. The head and a hunij) on its l»ack is red, while the l)ody
Larva of ffideinasia conciniia.
is stri})ed \\ith l)lack, yellow and wliite lines and supports a few
l)lack s[)ines. This catiMiuHar is sometimes to l)e seen in clusters on
Plieosia riniosa.
the apple-trees, where, if unmolested, it is capable of stripping the
branches bare of leaves. It also feeds on the cherry and plum. Tlie
BOMB VOIDS.
121
cocoon is made under leaves in August or Se^)tenil)er, and llie })erfeet
insect comes foith in -lunc oi' July of the following year. The moth
is liglit bi'own and gray and lias a dark brown hand along tlie lower
margin of the upper wings. It expands something over an incli.
Pheosia rimosa is a gray, 1)ro\vn and yelh»\\'isli-\\liite niotli oeea-
sionally to he seen about ch'ctiic liglits. It look's ;iiid tiles a good
deal like a noctuid.
A moth whicli curls its abdomen up in a curious niannci' ^^•hen at
rest is Ajxifflcxh-s tonui'iicta. In tins position it would scai'celv be
Apatelixles torrefacta.
taken for a moth at all unless closely examined. The fore wings ai'e
gray, m ith a dark broMii spot near the l)ase. 'J'lie lower wings are
light pinkish-bi'own. Both sets of wings have faint lines crossing
them.
Great numl)ers of a bhudv ami vellow-striped lai'va spaihiglv fur-
nished with soft whitish hairs may be seen in August and Se[)tend)er
on the apple ami cherry, and also the birch and other I'oi-est trees,
com})letely stri})ping the branches oF tlieir leaves. So numeious are
they and soiuetimes congregated in such masses that the branches
bend with their weight. These catei'iiillars bend the head :iinl tail
Larva of Dataiia.
Up over the l)ody when distuibe(l and lest on the t'oiu' loruard ])airs
of abdominal legs. They ai'e the larvte of .Ddtnint. The eaterpillai'S
122
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
(leseciid a few indies into tlie o-i'onnd in the autuuin, where tlie_y
remain in a. clnvsalis state till the f()ll()\vin<>- .July. Our best-known
D.itana'iiiiiiistia.
Species is I}<(t((n<f mlnlxtra^ a tan-colored niotli with hull' lowei' w inos
and having' a ])ateh ot reddish-l)i-o\\ n on tiie thorax and several lines
of the same color ercxssing- the fore wings.
A o'cmis of moths of medium siz.e, interesting from their gn}^
colors and the hahits and sha}»es of the larvie, is Lrm((rO(Jci<. 'Jdiese
larvfe ai'e slug-like^ creatures, and would hai'dly he taken for cater-
|)illars at all l)y the novice. Tlie l>ody is short and thicdc, liigh iu
the middle and Hat heneath. Tlie head is concealed heneath tlie for-
ward part of the hodw and l)oth tlie true legs and ju'olegs are
Limacodes scapba.
scarcely discernible. The animal adhering closely to tlie leaf
or twig u[)on which it rests has much of the gliding motion of the
slugs. Some of these larvie are naked, Avhile others are adorned
with l)rancliiiig s[)ines or fleshy tilameuts. Some of the caterpillars
BOMBYCIDS.
123
are g;\yly colored. When mature they spin a tough oval or nearly
spherical cocoon attached to the twigs of tlie food plant, oak, walnut,
birch and other forest trees furnisliing them A\'ith food. The moth
emerges from the cocoon by pnsliing off one end, leaving the side
attached like a half-splierical lid.
Liiiiacodes seapha is a prettily marked little moth ex[)andiiig
about ail inch. The body and lower wings being cinnamon-brown,
and the up[)er wings having a rich reddisli-brown patch covering
most of tlie upper part of the wing, edged with silver beneath. The
rest of the wing is light l)rown. Tlie larva is green, without spines,
short, thick and liigli in tlie middle. It feeds on the o;ik.
Liniaoodes querceta.
Another prettily marked insect is Limacorh's querceta. It is
reddish-brown with a small dot of dark brown in each fore wing, and
a broad, irregulai' ])at'ch of light gi'een extending from near the lower
margin next the body diagonally across the wings to near the tip.
Wy
^ ^
Paiiisa frateriia.
Tlie caterpillar lives on the oak and willow, is yellow and pnr[)le in
color, and has a number of branching, })ointed lilameiits which s])i'ing
from its back and sides. The moth makes its a[)pearance in 'Inly,
and often comes into our rooms at night attracted b}^ tlie light. It
is a rapid flyer for so small a moth, its short wings humming with
the ra[)idity of their motion.
124
.M(JTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
Payai<a fraterna is a rare aiul l)eautiful little inotli, and is closely
related to Limacodes. The upper wings have a wide, bright-green
Ijand erossiiig them, with a l)rowii margin and a brown patch next
the bod}'. The alxlomen and lower wings are light yellowish-bi'own,
and the thorax is green. I have taken this insect on bnt two or
three occasions with a lighted lamp in Massachnsetts, and know
notliinsj' of its life historv.
■■'^
yj
Lagoa crispata.
To the genns IjHijou l^elong some very woolly motlis which go by
the appropriate name of flannel ]noths. Onr connnon s})ecies, Lagoa
crii<j)((t(i^ is of a light yellow or light l)nff with crinkled black and
Case of tlie Evergreen Bag Worm.
light brown hairs on tlie fore Avings. The body is xevy down}^ and
when at rest with tlie wings folded the creature h)oks like a bit of
wool. The larva, A\hich is also ver^' wooll}-, feeds on the blackbeny,
oak and a])p]e. 'J1ie head is hidden beneath the forward segments of
BOMBYCIDS.
125
till' l)()(Iy and the legs are so short as to suo-i-est the hirva of the
Liinacodes. The eoeooii is formed of the hairs of the eaterpilhxr
closely woven with silk.
In T/i//ri(h>j)tcr//.r t'jJicniera'fonins or the evergreen l)ao- worm, the
larva constrncts a bag or case of silk and pieces of the leaves of its
food plant, which it carries from place to place as it feeds, and in
which it resides dnring its cater[)illar state. The larva lives on the
red cedar and the arl)or-vitie, and the pieces of the leaves are laid
lengthwise of its case or l)ag. The female moth is wingless and grnb-
like, and never leaves tlie case, in which it transforms into a pupa
after having closed np both ends with silk. The male is provided
with wings which support it in flight. Its body is long and tapering
and its antennae are pectinated. Several species of this genus are
natives of this country.
Ualisidota caryse.
An insect sometimes very common and doing consideral)le damage
in the Eastern States to hickory, elm, beacli, apple and other trees is
the liickory-tussock moth, HallxUota earijiv. The larva is a prett}^
caterpillar, an inch and a lialf long when mature in September.
The head, feet and l)elly art^ l)lack, and the body is covered with
spreading tufts of hairs, white on the sides, with a crest of black
tufts along the middle of the Ijack, and long white haii's growing for-
ward over tlie head. There are also two pairs of tufts of long Ijlack
hairs placed neai' either end of tlie body with a single pair of white
tufts near the posterior end. Tlie larva makes an oval gray cocoon
composed largely of its own hairs held together with silken thi'eads.
This is usually hidden away beneath stones, in the chinks of bark,
etc. The moth makes its appearance in June. Its wings are ochre
126
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
yellow and seem to be thinly covered with scales, rendering them
semi-transparent. Sevei'al rows of whitish, silvery spots cross the
fore wings and between tliem is a tine sti[)ple of brown dots. We
\r
Halisidota tessellata.
liave otlier species of tnssock moths whicli closely rescndjle the fore-
going, l)oth in the larval and perfect state.
Oy<lll'ui leiicoHtigma is interesting from the fact that the female is a
wingless, grub-like creature, looking little like her mate which,
although plain grayish-brown in color, has broad wings and can fly.
Larva of Orgyia leucostignia.
The caterpillar is one of our liandsomest, being striped with yellow,
brown, green and lilac, sparsely clothed with wliite hairs on the
sides with two long plumes of brown liairs next the head, a similar
plume on the posterior end of the bod}' and four short, tliiek, white
puffs on the back. Its head is red, and there are two red warts near
the tail. The insect feeds on apple, sometimes doing a good deal of
damage, spins a thin cocoon frequently on the tree trunk, and upon
emerging, the female lays her eggs on the top of tlie cocoon, cover-
BOMBYCIDS. 127
iuo- tlieni witli a fi'otliy suhstaiice wliieli, on diying, makes a wliite
crust.
^ ' . ^/^ , -
^"m
J..^
^
>\,
Lencarctia acisea.
Sometimes seen in nnmhers in June is the salt-marsh moth,
Leuearetia Krnea. The thorax, tlie end of tlie alxh^men and tlie upper
wings of the male motli are white, wliile tlie abdomen and tlie
lower wings are yellowish-tan color, lioth sets of wings are sprinkled
with black dots, and the abdomen has two rows of small dots on
each side and a row of large black spots on the back. Tlie female
moth diffei's in color from the male in that the lower wings aie A\liite
instead of tan. The larva of this moth, whicli is wideh' distributed,
is fi'equently seen in large numbers feeding on the coarse lowland
grass, not only of the sea-coast, but in the interior of the counti'v.
It will also attack other plants, and is capable of doing a great deal
of damage. When full grown it is nearlj' two inches long, covered
Phraginatobia rnbricosa.
with long dark brown hairs on the hack and lighter liaii's on the
sides. The sjiiricles along the sides are \\liite, and the skin of the
caterpillar is yellowish. In the fall the caterpillar conceals itself
128
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
iinioiicr tlie lower o-rass stems or under stones, and tliere makes its
hair}' brown cocoon, in which it passes the winter in a chrysalis state.
A pleasing'lv-tinted little moth is PlirttjiiDafohia ruhrtcosd. Tlie
upper wings and thorax are })inkisli-brown, the lo\\'er wings leddisli-
pink \\itli In-own maigins, and tlie ahdomen is ]cd Avitli a row of
small hrown dots on cither side, witli another I'ow down tlie hack.
The A\ings are so tliiiih' elot]ie(l with scales as to lie almost trans-
])arent. The lar\a is iink'iiowii to me.
.\n insect Well known to almost e\'erv rnie is the hrown and hlaelc
hairy t'atcrpillar covci'cd \\\{]i stiff short hristles all ahout the
Larva of rvrilinrctia Isabella.
same length, which rolls itself into a round hall \\hen distnihed.
This creature feeds on a variety of heihaceous plants, and may be
seen in the fall actixcly engivged in seeking a suitable place for
its winter hibernation : for, unlike the larva' of most le})ido})terous
insects, it passes the winter in the ealerpillar state and may some-
times be found on mild da\s in the winter craw linu' "Ver the snow.
^
Pyirharetia Isabella.
As soon as vegetation starts in the sjiring it liegins feeding, and
makes its hairy cocoon under boards, stones and the like in .\})ril or
Ma}^, whence it emerges a moth in June or July. This moth is
PyrrlKtretia isnhclht, and is of a taA\iiv yellow or dull tan color,
having a numl)ei' of bi'ownish spots on its wings and body.
BOMRYCIDS.
129
The Arctians are a genus of moths represented in this eonntry l)}-
sevei'al exceedingly beautifnl forms. The species are very variable,
and on this account have caused considerable confusion. The
antennre are usually feathered in the males and simple in the
females. The larva is covered with stiff sharp-})ointed liairs. The
•
Cocoon and pupa of an Arctian.
cocoon is oval, looscdy eonstructed of tlie bail's of tlie caterpillar
interwoven with a few threads of silk. The chrysalis is stout,
smooth, and dark brown in coh)i'. The moths of this genus come
readily to a bright liglit. and a collector in the country \\\W often
tind tlicm Hying about his loom on warm summer evenings. Tliey
have a habit of feigning death wlicii captured. Several of the
species give off a strong odor when handled, whicli is pr(»l)al)ly a pro-
tection to the insect from its enemies.
Arctia nais.
Arctia nais is a widely distributed insect, being found over the
whole of the United States and the lower part of Canada. This
insect, according to Edwards, has. on account of its variation received
130
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
no less tliaii nine different names. The wings are usuall}- an inch
and a half in expanse and are of a pale ^^ellow, piid-zisli near the
l)ase of tlie lower wings, and striped on the forward pair by broad
l)aii(ls of l)laek with triangular black s[)ots near the outer margin.
Tlie lower wings also have several black s})ots. These spots and
Ijands sometimes cover almost the entire surface, giving the moth a
very different ap[)earance. The abdomen is usually llesh color Avitli
a band of black on eacli side and one on the to[). The caterpillar
lives on tlie dandelion. Its hairs are black on the back, and br()\\n
on th<' sides.
Areliii urge.
One of the most common s^iecies of this genus is Arrfin arm
The genei'al cnlor is a flesh tint, being intensified to reddish aloii;
Arctia plialerata.
the outer margins of the loAver wings. Narrow triangular l)lack
spots and long black stri[)es adorn the upper wings, Avith several
black spots on the lower Avings. A row of black s})Ots extends along
each side of the abdomen and one row down the back. This insect
BOiMBYClDS. 131
expands nearly two inclies and makes its appearance in June and
July. The caterpillar is dark gray, sometimes almost black, and is
thinly clothed with clusters of spreading black liairs which spring
from dark colored Avarts. The larva) live on the plantain.
Another common species is Arctla pluderata. The thorax and
upper wings are yellowish-buff with broad black stripes and triangu-
lar spots, and the abdomen and lowei' wings are reddish-pink with
l)lack s])ots and markings.
Arctia virgo.
Our largest and most beautiful species of this genus is Arctia
virgo. The upper wings are flesh color marked witli broad stripes of
black, and the lower wings are vermilion red and dee}) reddish-pink
at the l)ase Avith large black spots. The tliorax is tlic color of tlie
upper wings, witli three black splashes, and the abdomen is the color
of the lower wings with a black band on each side and on the back.
I have never found this insect abundant but have taken it in August
with a liglited lamp in Massachusetts and in northern Oliio. The
insect expands two and one-half inches. The cater[)illar is bi'own,
covered with brown hairs, is two and a half inches long wlien fully
grown, and feeds on pigweed, dock and plantain.
The common snow-white miller, Arctia virfiinica, has a, wide distri-
bution. The wings are pure white with one or two small dots of
l)lack, while the abdomen has the customary black spots of the genus
on the sides and back with a yellow stripe on each side. The cater-
pillar of this moth is the ''3'ellow bear," wliich is a connnon pest in
our vegetable gardens, devouring almost everything in tlie way of
herbaceous plants it finds. Its body is covered with long yellow or
132
MOTHS AND BUTTEKFLIES.
tan coloi'tMl hairs, and it lias an intL'nii[)t(_'(l stiipe of l)rowu on citlier
side and a hrown band between eacli of tlie segments. The insect
passes tlie winter in its hairy eocoon, and in the foHowing June
appears as a moth.
Larva of Cycnia egel.
On the HiilkAveed may often be seen nnm1)ers of little eateri)illars
covered with tufts of black, \\hit(' and orange hairs. These are the
harlecpiin cater])illai's, and are tlu' lai\;r of a })lain little blue-gray
moth, Cycni<i ''//<'/, whit'h makes its appearance the latter part of
June, after having passed the winter in the })U[)a state in its oval
hairy cocoon. The alxlomen of the moth is 3'ellow above, with a
row of black dots down the back, resembling the Aretians.
Ufethema hdhi is a very l)eautiful moth, and is widely distributed
over this country. Its hal)its are similar to a following species, the
soldier moth, and it is often found in low grassy districts in con-
siderable numbers, taking to wing readily when disturbed. When
handled it exudes an oily substance with a peculiar odor,'and remains
perfectly still, as if dead, soon, liowever, taking wing if not further
molested. These liabits, combined with a probably very Intter taste,
liave doubtless })reserved this gayly colored little creature froiu ex-
tinction. The larva is one and a half inches long, and is yellow and
wliite in color sprinkled with black dots. Jt feeds on herbaceous
lowland plants.
The anchor moth, VaUunorpltii inffiTupfo nnin/iiiaf'U is a ralher
rare moth, and is about the same size and marked with brown similar
to the soldier moth, except that it is yellowish wdiere the other
species is white.
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES
DENTON
^^^>
UTETHEISIA BELLA
BOMBYCIDS.
133
The soldier niotli, CaUlmorplKt IcccDitei^ is a eoniiiioii species to l)e
found among rank grass or buslies near brooks or swamps in June
and July. When disturbed it flies a short distance and quickly
Calliinori>lia lecoiitei.
hides away among the grass or shrubs. This insect is rarely seen
singly, and often while walking among the grass of low land I liave
started half-a-dozen of tliese moths from their hiding places. The
wings are creamy white marked with dark brown, the head is yellow-
ish, and a brown stripe extends down the back, the rest of the body
being creamy white. In some specimens the brown markings of the
fore wings cover nearly the whole surface, leaving but a few white
patches. Tlie larvae are thinly clothed with hairs, and are brown in
color with yellow stripes. They are night-feeders on herbaceous
plants, hiding ]jy day.
Hypopiepia uiiiiiata.
A beautiful little moth wliicli sometimes comes to the lamp of
the collector is the striped footman, Ilypoprepia niiniafa. It is
deep scarlet with three dull brown stripes running lengthwise of the
upper wings and a Ijroad Ijorder of the same color along the margin
of the lower wings. The dark brown spin}' larva feeds upon lichens,
and makes a thin silken cocoon. The moth appears early in June.
134 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
.Viiotlier species closely related to the foregoing and easily mis-
taken for it is Hijpoprepla fucosa. This moth is somewhat smaller
than JL/pojircpia mhiiata and niay be distingnished from it by the
color of the wings, Ayhich are yellow and red.
ZYG^ENID.E.
Tn the family Zygwuidce, the species have prominent heads, long-
narrow wings thinly covered with scales, leaving naked spots in
some species. Some of the members of this family are adorned with
gay colors, and a lai'ge number are diurnal in their habits, rifling the
flowers of their sweets in the hot sunshine. The larva is short, thick,
and usuall}^ adorned with small tubercles. Many of the species are
hairy, others naked. JMost of them spin silken cocoons, while others
utilize the hairs of their coat for a covering for the pupa, binding
them together with a few silken threads. Others again make no
cocoon whatever. The pupa is usually short and stout-bodied.
C If nucha vii'uiiiiea.
Ctenucha vin/inica may be seen on tlie white clusters of elder
l)lossoms during the sunny hours. It is not timid and is slow to take
tlighto I'he head and sides of the thorax are orange, the fore wdngs
are sm()k3--brown, the hind wings bluish-black, and the l)ody is deep
puiplish-blue. The wings expand two inches or over. The larva is
hairy and feeds on grasses. It constructs a thin haiiy cocoon.
A ver}' long and narrow-winged species is Lucoinorplia jjIioIus.
This insect expands a little over an inch ; in color the shoulder
coyers and base of both pairs of wings are orange, the rest of the
insect being bluish-black. This moth flies only in the daytime, and
ma}^ frequently be seen extracting the honey from the goldenrod by
ZYG.ENIDS.
135
the roadside. Tlie liairy o-]-eeiiisli larva feeds on lichens gTowing on
stones, and makes a thin silken cocoon.
FT
Lyeoniorplia pliolup.
A prettily colored moth is Ui(ih->/((s ijrdta. The thorax and fore
wing-s are Avhite, with hrown, pinkish-hrown and green ish-l)ro\vii
niarkin"-s. while the alulonien and lower wings are ^'elh)wisll-l)uff
^«<P
»»«•?
Eudryas giaia.
with markings of hrown and pirdvish-hrown. This insect expands
ahont two inches. The caterpillar feeds on the leaves of the Vir-
ginia creeper and tlie gra})e. It is a peculiar looking creatnre, heing
hlunt at the posterior end and crossed hy numerous hluisli and orange
l)ands and line hlack lines and spots. The transformations arc passed
in the ground.
iVnother species, differing greatly in the perfect insect but very
similar in the larval state to the foregoing, is Aljipia octomaculata.
This insect expands st)mcthing over an inch, and is hlack with the
exception of two large yellow spots on each of the fore wings, two
large white s[)ots on each of the liind wings, the shoulder covers
(which are yellow), and tufts of reddish-orange hairs on the legs.
This moth is an active creature, flviug about in the sunshine, sud-
136
MOTHS AND BUTTEllFLIES.
(lenly disappeariiiq- and as suddenly returning. It is ver}^ common
in some parts of tlie country. The larva is l)anded with white and
orange and ^^■itll narrow black lines and I'ows of l)la('k dots. This
species has eiglit l»lack lines to each segment, while the preceding
m
Alypia octoiiiaculata.
has but six. It feeds on the leaves of the gra})e and A'irginia
creeper, and transforms into a pujia in an eai'then cavity beneath tlie
surface of the ground. 'J'liere are usnall\' two l)roo(ls in a. season,
one coming foith in June and another in August and Septend)er.
Psycliomdiplia epiiiiciiis.
Pi<iichomorpli<i vf))iiicniy< T have found a rather rare little moth,
althougli 1 have licard of its being abundant in some })arts of the
country. Tlie insect is l)hick, witli a large 3'ellowisli-white spot on
each fore wing and a large brick-red s|)ot on each hind wing. It
expands about an inch. The ca-ter[)illar feeds on the grape and
A'^ii'ginia creeper, di'avving tlie ends of the young shoots together
with silken threads. \\\ sha])e it reseinl)les the foregoing, but has a
bluish appearance : being banded with black and white lines. It
transforms in the o-round.
^GEEIDS. 137
JEGERIDM.
Cihi^!s-irhi(j>i.
The moths belonoiiig- to the family JE(jeridce are rather small,
and are readily distinguished from all other moths hy their resem-
blance to bees and wasps. The}^ have nai'row, mostly transparent
wings, long bodies, with a fan-sliaped tuft of hairs at the posterior
end, and spindle-shaped antennas. Most of tlie species are gayl}^
colored and all are diurnal in their habits. The larvfe are borers in
the stems and roots of trees and shrubs, and do a great deal of dam-
age to some of our cultivated fruit trees. Tliey are grul)-like, whitish
creatures with brown heads. Some kinds are sparsely covered with
fine hairs. The transformations usually take place in the excava-
tions made by the larva, Avliere a rude cocoon is constructed by
cementing together fi'agments of Avood. The pupa is armed with
minute spines on its alxlominal rings, and Avhen about to break the
shell makes its Avay out of the cocoon and along the passage
to the opening previously made by the caterpillar. Here the moth
escapes, often leaving the em[)ty shell protruding fi-om tlie hole.
Melittia cucmbitfe.
Melittia cucnrhitce is our largest native species of this group, and
expands about an inch and a half. The up[)er wings are black, the
lower ones transparent, edged with a fiinge of long hair-like scales.
The abdomen is orange with a few black dots, and the posterior pair
of legs have long orange and black hairs. The larva infests the
squash, cucumber and melon, living in the interior of the vine and
devouring its substance.
Another species familiar to cultivators of peach and })lum trees
from tlie destruction caused by the larva is ^"Ef/eria (>.ritioi<a. The
male and female moths differ greatly in size and general appearance.
The male has all four wings transparent, the veins and margins
being steel blue. The 1)ody is also blue, with a yellow tuft at the
extremity. In the female moth the fore wings are da,rk blue and
opaque, while the hind wings are transparent, and tlie abdomen is
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
crossed l)y a broad band of orange. Tbe larva feeds on tbe inner
bark and young wood of peach and plum trees, infesting them
iEgeria exitiosa. Male.
iEgeria exitiosa. Female.
especially near the ground. So destructive is this pest in some
regions as to have caused the abandonment of peach growing.
>?<;geria tiimliforme.
The currant borer, ^fferia tipuUforme, is scarcely less destructive
than the preceding, and, as its name implies, the larva bores in the
stems of the currant. The larva feeds on the pith of the })lants,
causing the leaves to turn yellow and eventually the })lant to die.
The moth is smaller than the preceding, expanding about three-
quarters of an inch, is blue-black in color, the wings being trans-
parent, \\\i\\ a, copix'rv colored bar at the ti}is of the forward pair.
The shoulder covers and three lines aeioss the abdomen are yellow.
The moth makes its appearance in June.
A small species, whose larva bores under the bark and in the
young wood of the })ear tree, is ^-Ejicria pjiri. The insect expands
half an inch. Its general color is })urplish-black above and yellow
beneath; l)ut tlie wings are transparent, with a band of copper-brown
at tlie tips of the forward pair, and tlie body is crossed with two nar-
row lines and one broad l)and of yellow, whik^ the faii-sha})ed tuft of
hairs at tlie end of the abdomen is yellow.
SPHINXES. 139
SPHINGID^.
Dushflijers.
The interesting group of moths that come under tliis head have
long been favorites with collectors. Their trim, graceful shapes, the
pleasing tints and large size of many of the species, combined with
the grotesque attitudes assumed by the larvae, make them objects of
unusual interest. The name " Sphinx moths " was given to the
group by Linnpeus on account of a fanciful resemblance which the
Larva of Sphinx Moth.
larvse bear while at rest to the fabled Sphinx. Clasping the twig
with the posterior feet the caterpillar raises the forward part of the
body and remains in this attitude sometimes for hours. Tliese
insects also go b}^ the common name of Humming-bii'd moths, from
the habit of the insects, which while poised on rapidly vibrating
wings extract the honey from the flowers. Hawk moths, too, is
a name given this group, probably from the strong, direct flight of
the insects.
These moths have powerful, long, narrow wings, particularly the
upper pair, and stout s[)indle-shaped bodies. The antenna are stout,
thickened in the middle and usually supplied with a curved hook
at the tip. The tongue is often very long, although in some species
it is short. The eyes are large and prominent. In one group the
wings are transparent, resembling in this respect the jEgeriadce.
They have strong, Avell-developed legs. Most of the species fly only
at dusk of morning and evening, while others fly late into the night,
and a few only in the daytime in the hot sunshine. The larvae are
usuall}^ smooth, naked caterpillars, green in color, with oblique light
stripes along the sides, and supplied with a sharp curved horn on the
top of the next to the last segment. In some species this caudal
140
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
horn is to be found only in the young caterpillars, an eye-like tuber-
cle taking its place in the more mature larva. That this horn is of
any use to the caterpillar I have yet to learn. It may be the sur-
vival from its ancestors of a sting; but if such is the case it has
entirely lost its value as a weapon of defence. The transformations
usually take place a few inches beneath the surface of the ground.
A few species make rude cocoons by drawing about themselves
leaves and twigs on the ground under their food plant, and fastening
Pupae of Spliinx Moths.
them together with a few silken threads. They usually pass the
winter in a pupa state. The chrysalis in some species is furnished
Avith a long tongue-case which stands out from the body and is often
compared to the handle of a jug.
Among the clear-wing sphinxes, our most common species is
Hemaru thyshe. In this insect the wings ex[)and about two inches
and are transparent, tlie veins and margins being reddish-brown.
The head and thorax are olive-green ; the upper part of the abdomen
is crossed by a broad band of buff, while the lower part is rich red-
dish-brown or maroon, and reddish-brown ])eneath. The fan-like tail
is black on the sides, with a 3'ello\vish-brown central tuft of liairs.
The under side of the thorax and legs of tlie insect are light yellow.
This insect is sometimes very common in June and July, and may
be seen on hot summer days hovering over the flowers of the garden
extracting their nectar. It looks not unlike a humming-bird in
miniature while on the wing. The blue blossoms of the })ickerel weed,
which grows so plentifully along tlie margins of most ponds and
SPHINXES. 141
slow flowing rivers is a favorite flower with this moth. It looks as if
suspended in the air while poised before the spike of blossoms, its
wings moving so rapidly as to be scarcely visible. The larva, which
feeds on the leaves of the snow-ball, is nearly two inches long, and is
Heiuaris tby?be.
light green in color. When about to pupate it draws a few leaves
and twigs about itself on the surface of the ground and makes a rude
cocoon by spinning a few silken threads to hold them together. In
this it passes the winter in the chrysalis state.
Hemaiis iliffinis.
Another species of clear-wing more common farther south than
the preceding is Hemarls diffinis, or the buml)le-bee hawk moth. It
is somewhat smaller than Hemaris thi/sbe, the veins and margins of
the wings are darker brown, the abdomen beneath and legs are black,
while the abdomen alone is crossed by a broad band of rich reddish-
bi'own. The top of the thorax is covered with light yellow haii'S
142 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
which give it while on the wing a bee-like look. The habits of the
insect are much the same as the preceding. Tlie larva feeds on tlie
leaves of the bush honeysuckle and it makes a clumsy cocoon of
leaves and sticks on the ground under the bushes.
Deilepliila cliamceiierii.
Deilepliila chmuamerii expands two and a half iiiclies and is boldly
and prettily marked. The body is olive-green above, with a Avliite
line along tlie sides of the head and tliorax, and white and black
spots with a pinkish sliade on the sides of tlie abdomen. The fore
wings are dark olive-green or greenish-brown, witli an irregular buff
stripe extending from the lower margin of the wing near tlie bod}^
to the tip ; the outer margin is bordered by a band of gray. The
lower wings are black, with a wide pink band extending across them
with a white spot next the inner margin. This insect, although ap-
parently not so common as the following species, is quite widely dis-
tributed. It maybe seen early of a summer evening about the flowers
of the evening primrose and the petunia, and is often so intent on its
repast as to allow itself to be closely approached. The larva is
unknown to me, but is described by Packard as *•' l)ronze-green, dull red
beneath, with nine round cream-colored s[)ots, pupilled with black,
and having a dull red caudal horn." It feeds on the leaves of the
willow herb.
DeilepJiila lineata expands from three and a half to four inches and
is one of our prettiest sphinx moths, its close fitting scales and
spindle-shaped body with the abdomen ending in a pointed tuft of
hairs, giving it a trim and neat appearance. It is colored much
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES
DENTON
DEILEPHILA LINEATA
SPHINXES.
143
like the preceding species except that there are several white lines
following- the veins and extending- diagonally across the npper wings.
There are also white lines on tlie tliorax, and the abdomen has a
decided rosy tint besides the black and white markings. This insect
is fonnd from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast, and extends well up
into Canada and also into the sonthern parts of the conntry, as far
down as tlie Gnlf of Mexico. It is very abnndant in some parts of
Deilephila lineata.
the country, and I have taken it in numbers in Sacramento, Cal.,
where early on a .June evening, even l)ef()re sunset, it might be seen
flying in Avide circles over the fields of wild fiowei's or poised befoie
the spikes of blossoms daintily extracting their sweets. The larva, is
yellowish-green in color, and feeds on the leaves of the apple, plum
and currant. Jt is said to be double-lu'ooded in the southern part of
the countr}-.
( )n the giu[)e and Virginia creeper may often be seen during
.fuly and August the larva olUvcri/.v mi/roti. Tliis caterpillar is about
two inches long when fully grown, green in color with a whitish
stripe edged with dark green along each side extending from tlie
head to the caudal horn, and oblicpie markings of yellow shaded
beliind with dark green also on the sides. There is, too, a row of
pink spots down the back. Occasionally a specimen may be found
of a strong piidc, brownish-pink or even reddish color. In such an
144
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
insect the stripes and lines are nsually pale pink instead of yellow
or white. Tlie two forward segments next the head are small, and
those fartlier l)aek nnich swollen, so that the head and first segments
may he pa,rtly retracted and almost concealed beneath the fohls of
Everyx iiiyroii.
the large th'sliy parts, giving tlie caterpillar a. humped itppearance and
suggesting the common name of hog cater})illar. These larvie are
often attacked by ])arasitic insects, whose grubs feed on the flesh and
fat of the eaterpilhirs whieh later may be round in an enfeel)led con-
Piipa of Everyx iiiyroii.
dition crawling about wdth the cocoons of their destroyers clinging
to their sides and back. The larva makes a poorly construeted
cocoon on the surface of the ground, com[)Osed of leaves held together
with a few silken threads. The chrjsalis is yellowish-gray and is
SPHINXES.
145
sprinkled with hlnck dots. The moth expands about two and a half
inclies. The body and forward wings are olive-green, the wings
Larva of Everyx niyron.
being crossed by a vaguely defined band of flesh color, while the
lower wings are brick-i'ed in color with a softly shaded patch of olive-
green at the lower angle. This insect is widely distributed over this
country.
Everyx chserilus.
Another insect not rare in the eastern half of the country is
Everyx chcerihis. The predominating color is reddish-brown, but the
fore wings are crossed by bands of yellowish-brown and pinkish-gray,
Avhile the lower wings are brick-red with a dark brown shade alongf
tlie lower margins. Tins insect ma}^ be taken aljout lilacs, and may
occasionally be seen flying around the electric lights in our towns.
Philampelus pandorus and the following closely allied species are
grand insects, easil}^ holding first place among our native sphinxes.
The expanse of wing is from four and a half to five inches, and mag-
nificent is the only word that seems to do justice to the size and
coloring of these fine moths. Tlie present species is olive-green and
gray with dark velvety patches of greenish-brown on the upper, and
146
MOTHS AND BUTTEBFLIES.
black on the lower wings. A rosy tint is diffused over the greens,
gi'ays, and olives which are softly blended and shaded into one another
in a most charming manner.
A designer of good taste and refinement might evolve from tliis
moth's velvet coat a dress of modest loveliness for a hxdy which would
make her the envy of lier fair sisters. The sight of snch an insect in
its perfect beauty having recently spread its wings from the narrow
confines of its hard, brown chrysalis, is apt to set one wondering why
Philaiupelus jjaiidorus.
our costume makers do not go more to Nature's art school for their
suggestions.
The habits of this insect are much the same as those of other
long-tongued species of sphinxes, wliich in the dusk of morning and
evening extract the nectar from the fresh opened flowers. It is some-
times to be seen flying in circles about the electric liglits in cities, but
I have never known it to be attracted by the light of a commqn
kerosene lamp. This is true of most of the sphinx moths. It takes
the powerful rays of the electric light to dazzle and bewilder them.
The larva of this motli is large and flesliy, and like the preceding
it can, by contracting the first three segments, almost completely hide
SPHINXES.
147
tliera beneath the flesliy folds of the much swollen following segment,
thus making the insect look very blunt and humped at the anterior
end. It is smooth, without hairs or tubercles except an eye-like spot
on the top of the posterior end of the bodj^ The color of the larva
is usually light green, although specimens are to be found of a flesh
or brownish-pink color. Along the side runs a row of broad oval
spots, yellowish in color, obliquely placed on the segments. The
forward part of the body is covered with a fine stipple of black dots.
The young of this larva is interesting from the fact that it is usually
light pink, and has a curled spine on the posterior end of its body,
wliich after two or three moults disa[)pears, leaving only the eye-like
tubercle before mentioned.
This caterpillar feeds on the leaves of the grape and Virginia creeper,
and on account of its large size, often three or four inches long, and
as thick as one's thumb, it consumes large quantities of the leaves,
even eating the midrib down to the stem. It is rarely, however, found
sufficiently abundant to do any great damage.
Larva of Pliilampeius paudorus.
In Plulampelus achevion the larva very closely resembles that of
the preceding species both in its habits and its shape and coloring, ex-
cept that the spots arranged along the sides are much longer and nar-
rower, are scalloped on their edges, and a long yellowish stiipe extends
above the spots the entire length of the caterpillar. This species also
feeds on the grape and Virginia creeper, and when fully grown in the
latter part of August or early in September it, like the larva of the
preceding species, burrows into the earth a few inches, where it
changes to a pupa without making a cocoon of any kind, simply
excavating a smooth cavity or cell in the soil. The perfect insect
comes forth the next July. This moth is somewhat smaller than
PliihnnpeluH jjcmdonis, but is very beautiful, the forward wings and
the body of alight pinkish-l)rown with intensely dark bi'own patches
148
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
arranged as shown in the figure. The lower wings are rose color,
being light bnff next the body, and bordered externally with liglit
brown and dark brown spots and shadings. This insect is probably
less abundant tlian PJtilanipclus pamloms. Both are widely distrib-
Philaiuiifhis acliemou.
uted, beinof found from the Atlantic to the Pacific coasts of our
country, and from Canada well into the Southern States, while allied
species occur in Mexico.
The tomato-worm moth, Macrosila quinquemaculafus, is one of
our largest sphinx moths, and although ashen gray with a few dark
brown and black markings, is still a fine insect. Tlie length of the
tongue of this insect is very remarkal)le, and on tins account it is able
to extract tlie nectar from our largest and deepest flowers. It is inter-
esting early on a quiet summer evening to stand Ijeside a bunch of
phlox or a bed of petunias and watch this moth hovering over the
flowers. It is strong and rapid on the wing, and on account of its
size and the directness of its flight looks quite bird-like.
The legs of the moth are armed with sharp spines, so do not try
the unpleasant experience of taking one of these muscular insects by
hand. Even if through your love for collecting jou manage to hold
it, the specimen is liable to be ruined in the struggle to escape.
The larva of this insect feeds on the leaves and even the young
10THS AND BUTTERFLIES
DENTON
MACROSILA QUINQUEMACULATUS
SPHINXES.
149
fruits of the tomato. It will also eat potato and tobacco leaves, and
in some parts of tlie country does great injury to the tobacco crop
Maciosila quiiiquemaculatus.
unless men are constantly engaged in " picking worms " from the
plants.
Larva of Macrosila quiiiqueuiaculaUui.
The larvse are usually green witli a curved caudal s})ine. Spec-
imens are occasionally found of a dark brown or black color.
One can frequently locate the larva on its food plant by shaking
150
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
the stems and listening for the snapping noise made by the jaws of
the larva as it swing's its head from side to side in a menacino- man-
ner. It is quite harmless, however. The pupa is interesting from its
tongue case, wliicli looks not unlike the handle of a jug. It is fre-
quently found while spading or plouglhng the garden. The pupa
passes the winter seveiul inches under ground, and works its way to
the surface in spring when it is about to break the pupa case and
emerge a perfect fly. (See figure on page 140.)
This insect is widely distributed over the whole of the United
States and Canada.
jMaciosila caroliua.
The Carolina sphinx, MaerosUa Carolina, yQvy closel}^ resembles the
foregoing in all three stages of its existence, and also feeds on the
same plants. It is, however, a somewhat smaller insect, and the moth
is more brownish in color with less gray, while the black markings on
the lower wings run more together and are not zigzag as in quinque-
maculatus. The larva is green, stippled witli white dots, with seven
oblique whitish stripes, and a light longitudinal line extending along
each side. The stout caudal horn is usually bluish.
They are frequently, among the country folks, considered ven-
omous, the caudal horn probably giving rise to the idea that they can
sting.
A large caterpillar, which feeds on the leaves of the elm and is
SPHINXES.
151
interesting from its protective mimicry, is tlie larva of Cerafomia
quadricornk. This larva is green, of the exact tint of the nnderside
of the elm leaf, and along its sides are a number of obliqne light
Larva of Ceratomia quadricornis.
lines. A line down its back is serrated, and on the forward part of
the body are four soft green horns, also serrated. While this insect
Ceratomia quadricoruis.
is at rest clinmno- to the midrib on the underside of the elm leaf it
o o
is a difficult creature to see, and one may gaze directl}' on it and still
think he is looking at a slightly curled leaf. The light line down
152
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
the back answers to the midril) of the leaf, the oblique stripes
on the sides look like the main veins, and the green horns closely i-e-
semble the notched tip of the leaf. One may readily locate the
creature by observing- the pellets of excrement on the ground under
the trees, but even wlien he is known to be on a certain branch he
is not easily seen. The caterpillars may sometimes be seen on the
trunks of trees as they are making their way down to the ground to
undergo their transformations in tlie soil. The moth is four inches
or more in expanse and is liglit brown in color, with lines and mark-
ings of dark brown, black and gray.
The caterpillar descends into the ground during August or Sep-
tember and emerges a moth tlie next July, when it crawls up the
trunk of an elm tree, waiting until evening when its wings are suf-
ficiently strong to enable it to take fliglit.
Daremma uiidulosa.
Daremma undidosa is a good-sized moth of a brownish-gray color,
with a few light gray and dark brown or black markings distributed
as shown in the figure. It is not a rare moth and will sometimes be
attracted by the collector's lamp. It is rarely taken about flowers as
it does not seem to be as partial to sweets as many of the sphinxes.
A small moth somewhat resembling the preceding in its markings
is Dolha hylceus. The upper wings are liglit reddisli-brown and gray
with many black and brown lines. The lower Avings are sooty-brown
SPHINXES.
153
and white. The thorax is reddish-brown with white stripes on the
sides, and the abdomen has several white bars on the sides witli two
rows of white dots down the back. This insect is common in tlie
southern states and I liave taken a few in Massachusetts and Oliio.
nolba liylseus.
A very common sphinx motli with a wide geograpliical range
extending over tlie hirger part of this country and Canada is Sphinx
gordius. Tliis insect is dark sooty gray and light gray or white with
several blade l)ars on the sides of its body, and a few pen-like mark-
Spliinx gordius.
ings also in black on the wings. It is very partial to lilac Jblossoms,
and when the clusters of flowers are fully expanded it may sometimes
be seen at dusk on a warm quiet evening in some nundjers. So in-
tent are these moths on their feast of honey that one may approach
154
]MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
quite near them and watch them guide their long flexible tongues into
the tiny flowers. The motion of their wings is so rapid that they
make a slisfht whirrino- noise and in the lialf-lio-ht are almost invis-
ible. The larva is green with light oblique stripes on the sides, and
it feeds on the leaves of the ap})le though it is rarely sufficiently
plentiful to do much damage.
Sphinx cliersis.
On the ash and lilac, in September, may \)e found a plump, liand-
some green caterpillar, wliitish on tlie back and having seven oblique
light yellow stripes on its sides edged above with dark green. This
is the larva of Spliinx chersis. The moth is ashen gray in color with
several black and white bands on the sides of its body, two heav}^
black lines on its lower wings and a few pen-like markings in black
on its forward wings. It is a large powerful moth and has a strong,
rapid flight.
Sphinx drupifei'iirum is also a good-sized moth, being four inches
or over in expanse of wing. The general color is dark sooty brown.
The outer margin of all four wings is light brown wliile a large area
along the upper margin of the upper wings and a band across the
lower wings is gray. Black and white bands alternate on the sides
of the body. The larva feeds on the leaves of the plum and hack-
l)erry. It is light green with white stripes edged above with purple.
SPHINXES.
155
Sijhinx kaJmia' expands al)out four inclies, and is buff and rust-red
in color, with reddisli-brown markings streaking the upper wings.
It is not a rare insect, and may be taken early in the season about
Sphiux drupiferarum.
the lilac blossoms. The larva is pale green with obli(|ue bands of
3^ellow on the sides, edged above with l^lack and blue. It feeds on
the leaves of the lilac and laurel.
A plainly tinted but gracefully shaped insect is Cidoerocampa term.
In this motli the body is long and tapering, ending in a tuft of hairs.
The upper wings are long, narrow and pointed, while tlie lower pair
is small in proportion. Its body is tan witli a yellowish stripe on
either side, and the thorax and head is brown with a light gray l)and
also on the side. The upper wings are light brown crossed diagonally
willi numerous brown lines. The lower wings are black margined
with brown, with a row of light yellow spots extending above the
brown margin. This insect is more plentiful in the southern parts of
the country, and is rather common in Washington, D. C, wliere aljout
the electric lights they may frequently be taken in July and August.
One of our earliest sphinx moths to be Seen in the spring is
Tltyreus ahhotii. The lilac blossoms are very attractive to this species,
and on a May evening it may be seen hovering about the clusters of
flowers. It is not very shy, and may be easily taken with the net.
The general color of the moth is dark purplish-brown. The fore wings
are crossed by numerous black lines, while a broad band of black and
156
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
dark brown extends along the outer margin of tlie lower wings, the rest
of the wing being yellow. The body is bluish-gray and brown, with
lines and bands of black. From the sides of the body spring tufts of
CUloeiocanipa teisa.
hairs, and three spreading plumes of long yellowish-brown liairs adorn
the end of the abdomen. These latter the insect can spread or contract
Thyreus abbotii.
at pleasure, and are no doubt of value in guiding its rapid fliglit. Tlie
caterpillar of this moth feeds on the leaves of the Virginia creeper,
and in its markings closely resembles a section of the stem of the vine.
SPHINXES. 157
It is gra3'ish or greenish brown in color, crossed by numerous darker
brown markings. The linder side is pink. At tlie posterior end is an
eye-like spot or tubercle, making the insect look, as one observer
worded it, " as if the worm liad a head at each end." When handled
the caterpillar twists its body vigorously from side to side, making at
the same time a squeaking noise. Tlie winter is passed in the chrys-
alis state, a few inches beneath tlie surface of the o-round.
Aiuphion uessus.
A little jewel among the sphinx moths is Aiuphion iwssus. It
expands a little over two inclies, and the wings are very nuich scalloped.
The ground-color of the fore wings and thorax is purplish-l)ro\vn, the
wings being crossed by dark velvety brown markings and faint yellow-
ish lines, witli a spot of reddisli-brown near the tip of the wing. The
lower wings are margined with a broad l)and of l)ro\vn edged Avith
yellow, the rest of the wing being reddis]i-l)ro\vn. The abdomen is
dark reddish-brown, lighter on the sides, and is crossed b}^ two conspic-
uous bright yellow bands. The end of the abdomen bears three tufts
of long dark brown hairs wliich may be spread or contracted at the
pleasure of the insect. The white lilac and syringa are favorite flowers.
Its flight is not so rapid as that of other members of the family, and
it may be easilj^ taken, even by hand.
I have never found this insect abundant but iiave had numerous
specimens sent me from (Ontario, Canada, and also from Virginia.
The genus tSmerinthns contains some large and very handsome
mollis. Unlike the species of sphinx moths alread}'- described, in this
genus the tongue is very slioi't, almost wanting in fact, and can be of
little use to the insect. The fore wings are scalloped on their outer
158
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
edges, and the moths are sluggish in their habits, flying onl}^ b}^ night,
and then in a vague and uncertain manner, contrasting greatly in this
respect with tlie strong, direct flight of most of the species of the
Larva of Siueiiuthus.
famiW. Tlie larvai are usually green in color, and tlieii' shin isrougli
and granular, giving it a liard sandpaper-like feeling. 'J'lie trans-
formations are passed in the ground.
Smeriiithus gemiiiatus.
Our beautiful little Smerintlnis (/eminatus is not a rare insect, and
may often l)e taken with the collector's lamp in July. The upper
wings are gray with a faint rosy cast, and are crossed by lines and
bands of olive and rich velvety brown. The thorax is also gray, with
a large triangular patch of dark brown occupying the middle. The
lower wings are rich carmine margined with gray, with a lai-ge black
spot located near the inner angle of tlie wing, in Avhicli are two bluish-
purple spots. The larva of this insect lives on the leaves of the apple,
plum, willow and ash, and is green in color with yellow stripes on
the sides. Its skin is covered with fine white granules, and it has a
triangular head. The pupte of this species may often be found in
connection with that of the following, in the soil at the roots of ash
and willow trees.
SPHINXES.
159
Smerinthus exewcatus is not so exquisitely colored as the preceding
species, but is still, when freshly hatched from the pupa, a very pretty
insect. Its o-eneral color is fawn, with lines and l)ands of brown and
X /
Sraerintlius excrecatiis (male).
tan. In the middle of the lower wings is a rose-colored patch, and
near the inner angle is a large Ijlack spot with a dim blue centre. Tlie
eggs of this moth are large in proportion to its size, are oval in shape.
Smerinthus iiiyops.
transparent green in color, and look not unlike malaga grapes in
miniature. The larva is green with yellow stri[)es on the sides. The
caudal horn is blue. This caterpillar feeds on the leaves of apple,
160
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
wild cherry, elm, asli, etc., and may be found near the tips of the
branches devouring the 3'oiing and tender foliage. Young trees and
])ushes seem to be more subject to the attacks of the larvre of these
moths than older and larger trees. This insect is found from Canada
to Virginia throngliout the Atlantic States.
A dark l)ro\vn insect somewhat resembling the foregoing is Smer-
intlms myoi)S. The fore wings and body are dark purplish-lirown with
light purple lines and markings, and the lower wings have the eye-like
spot of the preceding species, but are mncli darker generally. In
'^(jjjg??'^
Triptogou moilesta.
habits the two species closely resemble each other. While at rest
hanging from the stem of a plant, the scalloped outline of the wings of
these insects, together with their brown or tan colors and the peculiar
bent attitude in which the body is held, give them a resemblance to
brown and withered leaves. So complete is tlieir mimicry that one
may be obliged to touch tlie insect before being sure of its identity.
A fine large, but rather rare, insect having a wide range over the
northern half of the country is Smerintluis or Triptoyon modesfa.
This moth expands, in a fine specimen, from hve and a half to six
inclies, and its colors are soft and pleasing. The outer two-thirds of
SPHINXES. 161
its fore wings and the outer margin of the lower wings are olive.
The inner third of the npper wings and the inner margin of the lower
wings are light gray. The middle of the lower wings is dull carmine,
while near the inner angle is a bluish-gray patch having a curved
black line over it. The body is greenish-olive. This fine moth is
rarely captured by the collector, but it may be reared from its larva,
which is not uncommon, and is to be found feeding on the leaves of
the poplar and cottonwood in September. It is a large green cater-
pilhxr three or four inches long, and on account of the rough, white
granulations with which its body is covered, it has the appearance
of being sprinkled with dew or frosted. A closely allied insect or a
variet}' of tliis same species is rather abundant in the western states
and on the Pacific coast of this country.
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