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UNITED STATES

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
LIBRARY

ji~ - , -

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

OF THE UNITED STATES

BA*ms. jt D

^CATUfi, ^

’CL^zb-rSO

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES OF THE UNITED STATES

East of the Rocky Mountains

By S. F. DENTON

A Limited Edition of 500 Copies, of which this is

Copy No. > .

■

•y/TTiTiTAM BA'E-KES, JVL IX

' dkgattjb, III*

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

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

Part I. THE MOTHS

BOSTON :

BRADLEE WHIDDEN

1900

Bradlee Whidden

483844

PREFACE.

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 scientific details.

It is the aim of the present 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 butterflies may be of valuable assist¬
ance. Such combinations of pleasing tints are rarely found in the handiworks
of man. What better school could be found 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 year, 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. rI o 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 found 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.

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 their 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 specimens from which they were
made were collected by myself, I having made man}r trips to different parts of
the country for their capture, some idea of the labor in connection with prepar¬
ing the material for the publication 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.

Sherman F. Denton.

Wellesley, Mass., 1899.

LIST OF TEXT ILLUSTRATIONS.

Part I (Moths).

Page

Butterfly Scales . 1

Antennae . 2

Tongue of Sphinx .............. 3

Development of a Butterfly . 5

Caterpillar of Butterfly ............. 8

Development of the Moth . 10

Detail of Net Rim .............. 12

The Net Completed . 13

Poison Box ............... 14

Shape for Collecting Papers . 15

The Folding of Collecting Papers .......... 16

Bundle of Insects in their Envelopes .......... 16

Oven for Drying Insects . 17

Relaxing-Box . 22

Insect Spread on Setting Block . 23

Forceps for Handling Insects ........... 24

Various Forms of Plume Moths ........... 43

Pterophorus pentadactylus ............ 43

Alucita liexadactyla . 44

Tinea flavifrontella . 45

Tinea granella .............. 45

Hyponomeuta millepunctatella . 45

Depressaria robiniella . 46

Various Forms of Leaf -Rollers . 46

Lozotaenia cerasiovorana . 47

Lozotaenia rosaceana . 47

Antithesia pruniana . 47

Carpocapsa pomonella ............. 47

Various Forms of Snout Moths . 48

Galeria cereana . 48

Cramhus girandella . 48

Larvae of Geometrid Moths . 49

Angerona crocataria . 50

Breplios infans . 50

Anisopteryx vernata . 50

Anisopteryx autumnata . 50

Zerene eaten aria . . 51

Ampliidasis cognataria . 52

Rheumaptera hastata . 52

viii LIST OF TEXT ILLUSTRATIONS.

Page

Hybernia tiliaria . 52

Petrophora diversilneata . .53

Hsematopis grataria . 53

Geometra iridaria . 53

Eutropela clematata . 55

Endropia marginata . 55

Therina seminudaria . 55

Endropia hypochraria . 55

Acidalia ennucleata . 55

Eutropela transversata . 55

Erebus odora . 59

Catocala relicta . 62

Catocala concumbens . 63

Catocala epione . 63

Catocala fratercula . 64

Catocala parta . 65

Catocala cerogama . . 65

Catocala uni j uga . 65

Catocala subnata . 65

Poaphila quadrifilaris . 68

Drasteria erechtea .............. 68

Catocala innubens .............. 69

Catocala flebilis .............. 69

Catocala desperata . 69

Catocala palaeogama ............ .69

Euclidia cuspidea . 71

Rhodophora florida ............. 71

Larva of Hellopliila unipuncta . 72

Plusia simplex . 73

Plusia putnami . 73

Gortyna nitela . 74

Cucullia speyeri . 74

Pyrophila pyramidoides . 75

Mamestra picta . 75

Larva of Mamestra picta . 76

Agrotis tassellata . 77

Agrotis c-nigram . . 77

Agrotis normaniana . 77

Agrotis herilis ^ • 78

Agrotis venerabilis ............. 78

Calocampa nupera . 78

Catocala antinympha . 79

Catocala arnica . 79

Aputela lobeliae . 79

Eucirroedia pampina . 79

Parthenos nubilis . 79

Plusia serea . 79

Apatela americana . . 81

Gramatophora trisignata . 81

Larva of Gramatapliora trisignata . 82

Xylutes robiniae. Female . 83

LIST OF TEXT ILLUSTRATIONS. ix

Page

Xy lutes robinise. Male ............ 84

Sthenopis argentata ............. 85

Clisiocampa americana . 87

Clisioeampa disstria ............. 88

Tolype velleda . 89

Tolype laricis . 90

Gastropaclia americana . 90

Anisota senatoria .............. 91

Anisota rubicunda . . 93

Chrysalis of Anisota rubicunda . . 93

Citheronia regalis. Male . .94

Larva of Eacles imperialis . . . . 96

Eacles imperialis. Male and female moth . 97

Saturnia io. Female ............. 99

Larva of Saturnia io . 100

Chrysalis and cocoon of Saturnia io . 100

Saturnia maia. Male ............. 101

Larva of Attacus cecropia . 102

Section of cocoon of Attacus cecropia . 103

Swamp and upland forms of cocoons of Attacus cecropia . 104

Larva of Attacus promethia ............ 105

Cocoon of Attacus promethia . 106

Attacus angulifera. Male and female moth . . 1 . 107

Larva of Telea polyphemus ............ 110

Cocoon of Telea polyphemus . . . . . . . . . . .110

Actias luna. Male ............. 113

Porthesia chrysorrhoea . 117

Cerura borealis . " . 118

Larva of Cerura borealis . 118

Larva of Edema albifrons . 119

Edema albifrons .............. 119

Ccelodasys unicornis . 119

Ccelodasys biguttata . 119

Larva of Ccelodasys . 119

Nerice bidentata . 120

Larva of (Edemasia concinna . 120

Pheosia rimosa . 120

Apatelodes torrefacta . 121

Larva of Datana . 121

Datana ministra . 122

Limacodes scapha . - 122

Limacodes querceta . 123

Parasa fraterna . 123

Lagoa crispata . 124

Case of the Evergreen Bag Worm . 124

Halisidota caryse . 125

Halisidota tessellata . 126

Larva of Orgyia leucostigma . 126

Leucarctia aersea . 127

Phragmatobia rubricosa . 127

Larva of Pyrrharctia isabella . . . . . . 128

LIST OF TEXT ILLUSTRATIONS.

Page

Pyrrliarctia isabelxa . 128

Cocoon and pupa of an Arctian . 129

Arctia dais .(■ . 129

Arctia arge . 130

Arctia phalerata .............. 130

Arctia virgo . 131

Larva of cycnia egel ............. 132

Gallimorpha lecontei ............. 133

Hypoprepia miniata ............. 133

Ctenucha virginica ............. 134

Lycomorplia pholus .............. 135

Eudryas grata .............. 135

Alypia octomaculata . 136

Psychomorpha epimenis . 136

Melittia cucurbitae . 137

Algeria exitiosa. Male and female . 138

Algeria tipuliforme . 138

Algeria pyri . 138

Larva of Sphinx Moth . . 139

Pupae of Sphinx Moths . 140

Hemaris thysbe .............. 141

Hemaris diffinis . 141

Deilephila chamoenerii . 142

Ileilephila lineata . 143

Everyx myron .............. 144

Pupa of Everyx myron . 144

Larva of Everyx myron ............ 145

Everyx chaerilus . 145

Philampelus pandorus ............. 146

Larva of Philampelus pandorus . 147

Philampelus achemon ............. 148

Macrosila quin quern aculatus ... ........ 149

Larva of Macrosila quinquemaculatus . 149

Macrosila Carolina .............. 150

Larva of Ceratomia quadricornis . 151

Ceratomia quadricornis . 151

Daremma undulosa . 152

Dolba hylaeus ............... 153

Sphinx gordius . 153

Sphinx chersis . 164

Sphinx drupiferarum ............. 155

Chloerocampa tersa . . 156

Thyreus abbotii . 156

Amphion nessus .............. 157

Larva of Smerintlius ............. 158

Smerinthus geminatus . . . . . . . . . . . . .158

Smerintlius excsecatus. Male . ......... 159

Smerinthus myops .............. 159

Triptogon modesta . 160

LIST OF COLORED PLATES.

TRANSFERS FROM LIFE.

FACING PAGE

Attacus cynthia. Upper side .... Frontispiece

Catocala cara . 62 '

Attacus cecropia . 102

Attacus cynthia. Underside .... • • • • 104-

Attacus promethia. Male . . . . • • .106

Attacus promethia. Female . . . • • 106

Telea polyphemus. Upper side ...... 110 '

Telea polyphemus. Under side . 110

Ocneria dispar . HO 1

UTETHEISIA BELLA . . . ■ • • • - 132 '

CONTENTS

The Life History
Implements for Collecting
Preparations for a Cabinet
How to make a Collection
Collecting Moths
Classification
Heterocera. The Moths
Micro Lepidoptera
Pterophoridas .

Tineidas .

Tortricidae
Pyralidte .

Geometridae
Noctuidae
Bombycidae .

Zygaenidae .

Sphingidae .

Page

44
46

49
57
82

134

139

HETEROCERA

THE MOTHS

Hepfboptera; or Scale* wtngeb IFnsects

THE LIFE HISTORY.

The name Lepidoptera was first
applied by the naturalist Linnaeus
to the order of insects known as
butterflies and moths.

The dust which covers the wings
and bodies of these insects, when placed
under a microscope of low power, is seen
to be 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 Lepidoptera 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 coloring 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 ribs, 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
eyes those combinations of colors so pleasing to behold. They are

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

frequently arranged on the wings in regular order, as are the scales on
reptiles or fishes, and when removed leave a slight scar on the mem¬
brane where they were attached.

In studying the structure of a butterfly, turn it underside upper¬
most. It will then be seen to be composed of three distinct parts :
the head, which supports the antennae (popularly known as feelers),
the eyes, and the mouth parts ; the thorax, to which are attached
two pairs of wings and three pairs of legs ; and the abdomen.

The eyes of butterflies and moths are compound, and the facets
vary in different species from several hundred to many thousand.
The vision of some of the higher butterflies is exceedingly acute, as
one will often have reason to note when cautiously endeavoring to
approach some coveted prize near enough to use the net. Many
moths, on the contrary, seem to be simply able to distinguish
between light and darkness, and are apparently more often guided
by the sense of smell than of sight.

The antennae have been 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.

Antemije.

By the antennae the beginner may most easily distinguish between
butterflies and moths. The antennae of butterflies are nearly always
blunt or knobbed at the ends, while the same organs in moths are
generally pointed.

The mouth parts of the lepidoptera are constructed for sucking
the sweets from flowers or the juices from other substances ; and
-while, some of the moths have no wray of taking nourishment in their
perfect state, most of the species of this order are provided with a

THE LIFE HISTORY.

long tongue which, when not in use, is coiled into a close spiral
between the palpi. This reaches its greatest development in some

Tongue of Sphinx.

of the sphinx moths, enabling 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, the Nymphalidce , have the first pair so small and
weak that they are probably of very little use to the insect. The
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 blended.

The life history of one of the insects we are considering, from
the egg to the fly, is most interesting. The perfect insect lays its
eggs, by a wonderful faculty, which for want of a better word we
call instinct, upon or near the species of plants 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 spheres ; others 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
sharply cut grooves or circular pits, or in other examples studded
with nodules or even with spines. Others bear a general resem¬
blance to a lady’s work-basket in shape and reticulated ornamentation.
Some have a lid or cover, which is raised by the caterpillar when
about to emerge from the shell. They vary too, in color as well as
in shape and ornamentation ; some are white or of a pearly lustre,
some blue or gray, while a large number are green, and a few brown

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

or black. An interesting collection may be made of these eggs
alone, and an entomologist can often tell from examining an egg the
species of butterfly to which 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 rapidly ; and as it grows its skin becomes too small for its con¬
stantly i 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 the following manner: the insect first spins upon the
leaf or twig upon which it rests 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 back and
the rent is further enlarged by the struggles of the insect until it
can draw its head 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 the mint. It is feeble 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
caterpillar to a surprising degree — a veritable ghost of the former
insect. Some caterpillars devour their outgrown garments as a first
meal after each moult ; others leave them where they were 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. When the caterpillars are 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 in 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.

corresponding rapid growth in size. In consequence its new coat
soon becomes too small, and the moulting process is repeated several
(sometimes five 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 arrives at its full growth.
It now ceases to eat, and looks about for a suitable place in which to
pass its period of inactivity, known as the pupa or chrysalis state.
And here, before he spins 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 month. They are simple eyes with very convex lenses, so
that 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 reaching 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
turn 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 hold.

The jaws of a caterpillar move horizontally and are powerful in¬
struments, capable in the larger species of biting through the tough
ribs of leaves as the insect reaches them while feeding. Crawding
down the midrib of a leaf the caterpillar advances toward the edge,
and holding 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 continuing this down with regular order,
it soon cuts out a large semicircular space, taking ribs and all. A
smaller caterpillar will simply eat away the soft parts of the leaf be¬
tween the small ribs, leaving a skeleton ; while the very minute leaf
miners burrow in the substance of the leaf between the upper and
lower skin.

The noise made by a large colony of larvee while feeding has
been compared to that made by 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 perhaps with several hundred tiny
creatures which could all make a meal on a handful of leaves, and

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

finds that they need bushels of fresh food daily when nearly full
grown. Of course, in a state of nature the large larvse are usually
widely 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 protuberance under the mouth of the larva is the silk-
spinning organ. This is the external opening to the silk secreting
glands, which 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
mutual protection ; others attach a thin thread to the leaves and
branches of the plants as they crawl 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 coverings for themselves
when they are about to pupate ; and a good many of the butterfly
larvse not only attach the posterior extremity of the abdomen to a
silken carpet but anchor themselves with a strong cable spun about
the body and attached to the substance 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
claspers. These first 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 claspers is five
pairs, and these are placed on the seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth and

THE LIFE HISTORY.

thirteenth segments — the fifth, sixth, eleventh and twelfth 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 thick and fleshy, and may be extended or
contracted, while their ends are surrounded with a number of minute
hooks. These prolegs or claspers are absorbed into the abdomen of
the insect during its transformation into a pupa.

In walking, a caterpillar advances by an undulating 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-tubes in their sides ; and
the openings of these tubes are often plainly visible in caterpillars,
especially in smooth ones. They 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, while others are by
their repulsive or even terrible appearance calculated to frighten
insect-devouring creatures. Some are smooth-skinned, some humped,
or covered with bunches, tubercles, warts, fleshy filaments, horns,
spikes, spines, bristles, hairs or down, and sometimes a combination
of several of these. A few sting like the nettle, while others shed
their sharp 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 ; others so closely resemble twigs with
their minute knots as to deceive even the expert.

But with all these subterfuges for protection, the birds, toads and
ichneumon flies find most of them out ; thus, in spite of the countless

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

millions which hatch from the eggs each season, their numbers are
mostly kept within bounds.

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 colors fade ; it shortens and thickens ; and at length, after move-

Development of tlie Moth.

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
which it was nor the fly which it is to be. By close examination the
legs, wings, antennae, etc., may be clearly made out ; but 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.

a butterfly full of life and beauty shall emerge. Beneath this hard
and 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 ; antennae 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 slowly crawls out, and, after finding a suit¬
able place, hangs almost motionless. The creature is still very
unlike the butterfly with which we are so familiar. Its body is soft
and weak ; its wings 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, how 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 best. 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 wing torn, is never mended ; loosened scales are never
replaced; and its life from now on sees it less bright and beautiful
day after day. After depositing its eggs for the next generation it
soon becomes a tattered, helpless creature, and falls an easy prey to
one of its many enemies.

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 way the best net that I know of is
made with a rim of rattan. Procure 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

piece of rattan sixty-six inches long, rather thicker than a lead-
pencil, and fasten the ends to the handle with two bands of copper
wire. This will make a net about eighteen inches in diameter. By
now taking a short piece of rattan, twenty inches long, making a
long level at both ends, grooving them out a little and wiring it to
the rattan hoop, as shown 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 EOK COLLECTING.

that the hoop will be symmetrical after it is completed, it is a good
plan to first fasten the small piece of rattan on with 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 likely to make the whole more durable.

To make the net, about two yards of mosquito netting, one yard
wide, are necessary. Sew the netting on the rim with strong
thread (carpet thread will answer), button-hole stitch, selvage
next the rim, and when round, cut off the surplus and let the net
hang down. The net should be made rounded, not pointed, at the

Tlie 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 netting will have to be renewed once or twice in a season if
much collecting is done. If rattan is not easily procurable, one may

MOTHS AND BIJTTEKFLIES.

use stout iron wire such as telegraph wire, hut it makes the 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.

without injury, 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 inches deep. It may be difficult to
get a box as shallow as this, but if the other dimensions are right, it
may be cut down to the right height. This box should be taken to
a glazier, and have 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 shellac 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 that 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 thread for mending the net or the clothing, insect forceps, etc.
A small light box with straps attached may be used in place of the
satchel.

Collecting papers or envelopes are made thus : Take smooth,

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

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

ends across at right angles to each other ; after which fold one of
the ends over again, put the insect in head downward, being care-

Tlie Folding of Collecting Papers.

ful that its wings be flat ; fold the other end over, and the envelope is
finished. Some collectors fasten one end of the paper down with a
little gum or paste ; but the dried insect is not so easily taken out of
such a paper. One collector whom I know uses coupon envelopes
for his butterflies. They are very cheap and convenient to handle,
being all one size.

Insects in their papers should be left exposed to the air for a
couple of days to partly dry ; then they may be tied up in bundles,

Bundle of Insects in tlieir Envelopes.

and are ready to store away in boxes or to be sent by mail or express
to their destination.

IMPLEMENTS FOP COLLECTING.

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
light tin or sheet-iron oven with detachable legs so made as to be set

Oven for Drying 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 if a slit is made in the under side of the
abdomen ivith a sharp knife, the contents taken out and the space
carefully filled with cotton gently crowded in, the body will look
better when dry.

The bodies of many of the large moths, especially the males of
the silk-spinning species, are filled with a natural oil which 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 stuffing with cotton. Another method

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES .

which I have used with success is to snip off the abdomen of such
an insect, cut it open on the under side, remove the contents and
soak it in gasolene for twenty-four hours, after which it can be
stuffed and replaced in its former position with shellac. This pro¬
cess, of course, does away with all liability of the insect becoming-
greasy.

To restore the beauty of greasy specimens, place them in gasolene
in a shallow, covered pan, for twenty-four hours or longer, when they
will come out bright and clean. Downy or hairy specimens may need
a little blowing to restore their fluffy appearance.

The fumes of bisulphide of carbon 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.

PREPARATION S FOR A CABINET.

PREPARATIONS FOR A CABINET.

There are several ways to prepare lepidopterous insects for the
cabinet. I need mention bnt two : one by the ordinary method of
spreading the wings and with a pin thrust through the thorax, well
known and used by most collectors the world over since man began
to collect and preserve the beautiful objects of nature ; and the other
by a new and improved method invented by the author in 1894.

After having accumulated a beautiful collection of butterflies
and moths from different parts of the world, only to see it finally
destroyed in spite of all the care I had bestowed upon it, and know¬
ing my experience had been that of hundreds of other persons, the
necessity of some means by which specimens might be kept safe from
the many dangers which threaten them forced itself upon me. As
the result 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 puts them
in a shape at once more beautiful, and infinitely 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 the 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 thus mounted needs no care whatever, neither 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, neither is it necessary to
fumigate the cabinet at all, and the vile smells caused by the use of
naphthaline and bisulphide 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 any one, and the
most valuable specimens may be handed around for a close inspection
of their beauties without the least danger of breakage.

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

A collection of this kind occupies but half the space of a collec¬
tion mounted on pins, as the drawers of the cabinet need be but 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 therefore cannot
lop down or warp up, as pinned insects are liable to do.

Many will be surprised to see how lovely are some of our most
common things mounted by this new method, making each specimen
a picture.

The tablets are made of many sizes, to accommodate every
variety of specimen. They are flat on the top, with a body cavity of
the size and shape to fit the body of the insect ; are white with a
glass-like polish on the face ; are hollow 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, 1 shall devote the most of this chapter to a detailed
description of how best to put up a collection as it should be to re¬
main indefinitely, and to show to the 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 put¬
ting up their collections by the old methods. It is not reasonable to
suppose that entomologists will welcome with open arms an inven¬
tion which makes the collections of a lifetime look poor and out of
date ; but why, I ask, should not improvements be made in mount¬
ing butterflies as well as in making shoes or in printing newspapers ?

This is an age of invention. Everything is being improved upon
where the ingenuity 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 display? Wings torn and worn, bodies
devoured by museum pests, and the whole, so dusty that one can
scarcely identify the species. Why, any able-bodied collector can
make and put up in one season at very small expense a collection
that will put to shame any of the exhibition collections in the
museums 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-

PREPARATION S EOR A CABINET.

take to suppose that a collection need be slovenly in order to be
scientific. Science should be made attractive, and the beauty of
which Nature is so lavish should not all he driven from our mu¬
seums. Old curiosity shops for the storage of objects of natural
history should give place to magnificent buildings 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, then, that the collector has been out with the net
and has brought in an assortment of butterflies for the beginning of
a collection. These may be spread either when fresh, or, which is
simpler, may 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 them rigid, while if the insects are spread 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, oue 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 pressed down flat. Make a light wooden frame to fit
the inside of the box, stretch netting over it and secure it with 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 hours they will
be soft enough to spread without breaking. The success of this
method depends on having a tight box' The net on the frame does
not allow the insects to come in direct contact with the wet sawdust,
but they absorb enough moisture to render them pliable and are not
liable to become too wet. Silk veiling makes an excellent article to
use on the frame in place of the net, as it is soft and fine. Water
should be added to the sawdust whenever it becomes too dry. A
small quantity of powdered alum put into the water will prevent the
sawdust from becoming mouldy.

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES .

A much simpler way, although to my thinking not so safe to use
with valuable specimens, is to have a plain wooden box filled 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 the 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 pliable
(the following method may also be used for fresh specimens), they
should be spread underside uppermost on smooth pine blocks ; these
may be from four to six inches square and covered with smooth paper

Relaxing-Box.

pasted to the face. Pin the insect to be spread through the thorax
(stout insect pins will be found best for this purpose) on the block
wrong side up ; spread the wings with fine needles ; lay strips of glass
on them ; secure the legs and antennae in place with pins ; and allow
the specimen to dry, after which it will be found very flat and in the
right condition for mounting. Insects may be kept in this state in a
tight box until the collector is ready to mount them in the tablets.

A good many insects, especially butterflies, show a marked differ¬
ence between 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.

block right side up and the glass strips placed on the wings not far
from their tips so as not to bend the wings too much. In spreading
a fresh insect the pin through the 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 palette knife will be found useful for opening
the wings of the insects to be spread. Take the specimen in the left
hand between the thumb and finger, and after inserting the knife
between the wings bend them down on each side. If all the insects

in a collection are spread so that the lower margins of the upper wings
are at right angles to an imaginary 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 use 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 points only. For mending broken insects and replacing
detached antennae and legs, use white shellac. The appearance of
a specimen whose wings are slightly injured may be very much

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

improved by fastening on the back with shellac a piece of another
butterfly which matches it in color.

For handling insects, use smooth broad-tipped forceps. If these
cannot be purchased at a store where naturalists’ supplies are kept,

a pair may be made by an expert out of hard rubber 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 LARVA] AND PUPA.

Collections where larvae and pupae 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 the fully developed insect. When it is remembered that
the active life of a butterfly is but a very few days at the most, and
that by far the greater part of its existence is passed 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. Larvae 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 the contents have been
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 wound with soft canton-flannel or blotting-
paper. 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

PREPARATIONS FOR A CABINET.

a lighted lamp. A small spring of steel fastened to the end of the
straw in such a way that it may prevent the slipping of the larva
skin as it is inflated will prove useful, and a little sheet-iron oven to
slip over the lamp, having small openings above and below, will pre¬
vent the burning of the specimens as they dry. Many larvae, espe¬
cially the hairy ones, will look well if carefully prepared in this way.
A considerable number though look anything but like the natural
caterpillar.

I have tried another method with success, which, requiring little
more skill, is much more satisfactory in its results. Treat the cater¬
pillar the same as if it were to be inflated with air, but instead, inject
into it hot paraffine or beeswax, colored to resemble the contents of
the natural insect. This is done as follows : Procure at the drug
store a small collapsible rubber syringe (the ball and tubing connected
with an atomizer for perfume will answer as well), and into the open¬
ing insert a piece of small brass tubing, having a small steel spring
attached to hold the larva. Purchase a quantity of paraffine or
white beeswax, put it in a tin with boiling water, and when melted
add the proper coloring by mixing with it oil colors from a collapsi¬
ble tube, such as are made by Winsor & Newton and procurable 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 quickly fill it with the hot paraffine and inject the skin of the
caterpillar (which should have been previously placed in warm water)
to its normal size. If the larva is now put into cold water it will
soon harden and will keep its shape. If the paraffine 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 with hot air.

Of course, either method requires some careful manipulation ;
but with a little practice the results, especially with the paraffine, are
encouraging. The resemblance to the natural caterpillar will be still
nearer if the skin can be painted wherever warts and spots occur.
These are frequently red or blue, while the general surface is green.
But this belongs more to the professional, and skilful painting can
hardly be expected from the amateur.

The chrysalides and cocoons of different kinds are not difficult to
preserve and usually look pretty well if simply dried. Some of the
translucent chrysalides will be improved if the contents are taken out
at the back and the space filled with colored wax or paraffine.

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

THE CABINET.

Cabinets may be 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 cabinet 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, which will take a handsome polish. A useful
cabinet, and one which looks well, too, may be 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 wliat it is intended to illus¬
trate. One may have a very small cabinet and yet with room to
spare which will contain the cream of the butterflies of the world.
A good many, in fact nearly all butterflies will fade perceptibly if
exposed to the light for years, and some of the most delicately tinted
moths lose all their beauty if so exposed for a short time. Therefore
they must be protected from the light.

Shallow wooden boxes answer nicely 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.

COLLECTING BUTTERFLIES.

To make a successful collector of diurnal 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 them 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 they 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, with clumps of bushes, are generally favor¬
ite haunts of many butterflies. The different species of Argynnis,

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

Phyciodes tharos , Melitaea phaeton , Limenitis disippus , Satyrus alope ,
Neonympha canthus, with two or three species of the genus Theda
and many moths, are found in such localities. As the ground is
frequently very wet in such places, one must go prepared or else
put up with wet feet. The butterflies to be found in the upland
fields are among the most common we have, Pieris rapoe , Colias
philodice , Chrysophanus americana , Pyrameis huntera , Pyrameis
cardui , Pyrameis atalanta , Panais archippus , etc., being lovers of the
open fields. Fields of clover and patches of milkweeds and thistles
are particularly attractive to the species named.

I well remember a neglected pasture where thistles and milkweeds
grew in scattered clumps, where I have passed many an hour with
good success. Pyrameis huntera , P. cardui , P. atalanta , Panais archip-
pus , and several smaller butterflies flew from blossom to blossom, and
were sometimes so intent on extracting honey that I 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 were to be 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 only the
most beautiful and perfect, and the duplicates can be used in ex¬
change with foreign collectors for their treasures.

Roadways and along brooks and rivers are sometimes excellent
localities for collecting. Butterflies seem to like to fly along roads
and running streams, particularly the Papilios , Limenitis arthemies
and L. Ursula. 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 the habit of visiting barnyards, and decaying sweet apples
and pears are an irresistible bait for Limenitis ursida , Grapta inter-
rogationis , Grapta j -album , Vanessa antiopa , Pyrameis atalanta and
Vanessa milberti.

In the town of Mentor, 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 with a net ! I have seen twenty Limenitis Ursula ,
resting on one heap of “ apple chankins,” opening and closing
their purple and black wings in the sunshine, while several other

HOAV TO MAKE A COLLECTION.

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, while others continued to fly until the danger
was past and then settled once more to the feast. It would he diffi¬
cult to tell which 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 the old
cider-mill.

The tops of hills and low mountains are frequented by butterflies ;
and often when the sides of a hill are poor in both 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 chase each other up
into the air until they are almost lost to view.

I remember such a hill near Sonora in California. Starting with
a fellow-collector early in the morning of May 15th, we arrived
at the top of the hill about nine o’clock. We had seen few butter¬
flies on the way up ; but 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 ; but 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 Parriassius are mountain-inhabiting but¬
terflies, and are usually found far up on the sides of high mountains.
We have several mountain butterflies which are to be found upon
the bare and inhospitable tops of the White Mountains in New
Hampshire. Mountain valleys are usually very rich in butterflies ;
and on a road 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
flying object that comes in their neighborhood. They will even fol-

MOTHS AND BUTTEBELIES.

low to near the earth anything which is thrown 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 are 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 manner 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
Papilios and the gorgeous Ornithopteras. I have sometimes been
obliged to shoot with a shotgun the 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 butterflies the males will be found to out¬
number the females three to one or more in the specimens taken.
That there really are so many more males than females I very much
doubt, as in rearing specimens from the eggs or the larvae the sexes
seem pretty evenly divided ; but possibly, on account of the males
being more active and flying more in the open or being frequently
more showy, the collector will almost invariably take more males
than females of a given species. This discrepanc}^ 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 the claspers on the end of the abdomen of the former. The
females frequently have larger bodies than the males, their abdomens
being distended with eggs. There are a good many kinds, however,
where 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 Argynnis cybele and Vanessa antiopa as
examples of the former, and Saturnia io and Attacus promethia as
representatives of the latter.

HOW TO MAKE A COLLECTION.

For a collector to capture one hundred' species of butterflies in a
day in some parts of Mexico, Columbia 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 day’s col¬
lecting.

WHEN BUTTERFLIES 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 other times.

Between the latter part of June and the first of August there
is generally a dearth of specimens, except of the different kinds of
Argynnis , which are most abundant about the middle of July. This
does not apply to the mountain districts, as excellent collecting may
he had in the vicinity of Mt. Washington, N. FI., the Berkshire Hills,
Mass., the Adirondacks, N. Y., Blue Ridge, Va., and the Ozark
Mountains, Ark. in July, where a dozen species of butterflies will be
found in their prime at that season. The reason 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
with 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 fields 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 may
be had at this season, but the butterflies are scarce.

I am often asked by persons interested, “ How long does a butter¬
fly live ? ” My answer is : “ Some species only a few days, 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.”

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

COLLECTING MOTHS.

ASSEMBLING.

This name is given to a method of bringing together numbers
of the males of any species of insect by the aid of a virgin female of
the same or an allied species.

The different species of the family Bombyx may be readily assem¬
bled, and a more interesting experience to an enthusiastic collector
can scarcely be imagined. Some of the species assembled with little
difficulty are among our largest and most handsome moths. Saturnia
io , Telea polyphemus, Actias luna, Attacus promethia , Saturnia
mala , etc., are all easily assembled, the method of procedure being
as follows : Take a virgin female a few hours after she has hatched
from the cocoon, and place her in a bag made of mosquito netting.
Hang the bag out of doors on the limb of a tree or other suitable
place, and have a light near enough so that you may see the males
when they arrive. A warm, dark night with a light breeze blowing
will be 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 they make
their appearance early in the evening, at other times later, and one
must do his best when the dance begins.

An experiment which a friend of mine assured me he had tried
with excellent success was on a warm afternoon to take the captive
female with him on a ramble through the forests and fields, making a
circuit of two or three miles about his home, and on returning hang
the moth out of doors near his house as usual. He said he had very
good reason to think that the males in flying about in the evening
came across the scent left by the female as he carried her, and on fol¬
lowing it up arrived at his house, where he was on the lookout for
them. His success leads me to recommend this method to the col¬
lector, as my friend evidently puts a great deal of faith in it.

Attacus promethia and Saturnia maia are day flyers, 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, while they will
come in numbers the second night. A good deal seems to depend

COLLECTING MOTHS.

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 by the number of specimens that 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, circling about the trees or alighting
on the grass, all eager to pay homage to the gentle lady in the net.
She generally remains quiet or gives her wings a gentle tremulous
motion, presumably to attract her dilatory lover, whom she has good
reason to suspect has deserted her for some other fair virgin.

One particular evening when we were boys, my brother and I
stayed up nearly all night capturing the moths that came to one
captive female, Telea polypliemus. My mother came out about mid¬
night to tell us that we must stop and go to bed ; but 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 the excitement. We
took something over two hundred perfect specimens of the males
that night. It is a splendid way to capture large and tine specimens
for the cabinet, and also to get series showing variety of coloring.

To see Actias luna, 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 position 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 the prize, as I have
known them to do on several occasions much to my disgust.

But to go on with the methods for collecting : Take a lantern, a
net and a poison jar, with a box 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
where the female is held captive one will almost hold his breath 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 my lawn strewn with
the wings of hundreds of moths which the cats had killed and eaten.

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

COLLECTING WITH A LAMP.

On warm, moonless nights, especially if cloudy, moths are
attracted toward a bright 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 be one which 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, where they
may be taken with 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 about will alight on the clapboards near
the lamp, where they may be easily captured. The side of the house
away from the wind will be found most favorable for this mode of
collecting.

The good nights for taking moths in this way are not numerous,
and one must make the most of them when 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-lepidoptera up to
the giants of the race, six or seven inches in expanse of wings. 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 their strange
bewilderment. When some much-prized moth enters, close the
window, as I have known many a fine specimen to change his mind
about adorning one’s cabinet with his precious body and fly out of
the open window much faster than he 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 captures 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 very shy and may be easily taken.

COLLECTING MOTHS.

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 about 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 ( Citlieronia regalia) 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 tlie 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 mo,ths 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 night favorable, numbers of
moths 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 Noetuidce and Plialoenidce come to such 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

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

taken in this manner from the middle of August until cold weather.
It is useless to try this bait where flowers are abundant, and moths
will not come on cool or windy nights. The same trees may be
smeared night after night with good results. A small box contain¬
ing sheets of cotton batting 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 box and carried safely home
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

FLOWERS.

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 and a
poison jar may reap a rich harvest in rare JSToctuidce on warm spring
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 both butterflies and moths are attracted by
fragrant flowers. The lilac, phlox, petunia, syringa, pink and many
other common garden flowers are resorted to by butterflies and day¬
flying sphinx moths in the daytime, and by moths of many kinds at
dusk and late into the night. 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 way, as they remain poised on
the wing, tongue extended, extracting the nectar from the flowers.
Some of the sphinx moths are very shy, and are liable to leave if the
rays of the lantern are turned directly on them. They are apt to
flutter a great deal after being captured in the net, so that they
should be taken out and quieted as soon as possible, else they may
ruin their appearance endeavoring to escape.

I have taken in this manner in a single evening over forty sphinx
moths, representing eight species, near one bed of phlox. In some
localities I have no doubt that this number can be exceeded, or
even doubled, by one who understands the capture of these fine
insects.

COLLECTING MOTHS.

COLLECTING CATOCALA.

Catocala are sometimes found in numbers in the forest on the
trunks of trees ; and when a collector is fortunate enough to run
across such an assemblage 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 closely 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.
They are so shy that one must use the greatest caution in their cap¬
ture. They are best taken by placing 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 very
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 fifty fine and perfect
insects will give a naturalist more pleasure than to look over a wdiole
cabinet full of rubbish 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 cava and C. concumbens are often found under bridges over
rivers and brooks, hanging back downwards from the boards or
stones. One bridge a mile from my home has furnished me with
many excellent specimens of the two species named ; and I rarely go
there in the season but 1 find from ten to thirty of these insects. It
is useless to look for them in such localities before the middle of
August. The same species may also be found on the underside of
tree trunks which overhang the water.

The catocala often frequent rocky ledges and stone walls where
the gray color of the upper wings of some species harmonize with
their surroundings.

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

GATHERING CHRYSALIDES AND COCOONS.

The larvee 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 way 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 depository 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 larvae 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, birches, 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 difficult to
find, and with some species it is only by most diligent search that
success may be attained. If one wants to make a trial, let him begin
with one of our most common butterflies, Colias philodice, which
abounds everywhere in fields and meadows in summer. See how
many hours of patient exploration are necessary to find the first
chrysalis ; while to locate in the pupa state Argynnis idalia , Meli-
tcea phceton, Limenitis Ursula , Papilio 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 larvee feed. Some insects, however, cannot

COLLECTING MOTHS.

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
may be had at all. Many of the eggs are smaller than the head of a
dolVs pin, and are frequently attached to the underside of the leaves
of the food plant, so that diligent and careful search is necessary to
find them. Most of them are covered when first laid with a gum or
varnish which when dry securely fastens them to the 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, especially by 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 other on all sides.

The eggs deposited during the warm days of summer soon hatch,
while those of autumn remain unchanged 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 creatures whose life work it is to keep these
hosts in check, every green thing in the way of vegetation on the face
of the earth would be devoured.

Just before hatching, an egg frequently assumes a leaden hue,
and the young larva eats his way out of his prison and escapes, often
devouring before he goes the egg-shell which has sheltered 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 introduce into the jar a
small bottle of water, holding the leaves if this is desired ; but the
mouth should be plugged with cotton or the larva may fall into it
and be drowned. The caterpillar will grow rapidly, 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 larvae a barrel without either head may
be placed over a bush and all the branches brought up through the
top. Then after enclosing the branches which protrude in mos¬
quito netting and introducing the larvae to be reared, fasten the

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

netting securely round the top of the barrel. This simplifies the
rearing of larvse and gives them conditions almost exactly the same
as they enjoy in a free state. A great many specimens may be reared
at one time in this simple manner.

If the insects are eartli-loving species and desire to complete their
transformations in the ground, they must have an opportunity to do
so, and should be 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 be taken with the
larvae to protect them from their natural enemies, the ichneumon flies,
which are constantly 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 with fine-meshed netting.

The cocoons may be kept in a wooden box in the cellar during
the winter months. The naked pupa, including those which have
transformed in the soil, may be placed in tin cans (ordinary fruit
cans will answer) without any soil or loam and kept in the cellar
also. These should have the covers put on to prevent the pupse
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
hatch without trouble.

The naked pupse may also he removed to the attic and allowed to
remain in the tin cans until a short time before the fly should emerge,
when the pupse may be placed in a good-sized wooden box, on (not
in) damp earth, with a few leaves covering them, and allowed to
hatch. The 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.

Tiie following order of classification, adopted mostly from that of Mi-
IIenry Edwards, will be used in this work.

ORDER LEPIDOPTERA. Moths and Butterflies.

Sub-order Heterocera. The Moths.

Mic ro-Le PIDOPTE EA ,

PTEROPHORIDS Plume Moths.

TINEIDS

TORTRICIDS

PYRALIDS

True Moths.

Leaf Rollers.

Snout Moths.

GEOMETRIES

NOCTUIDS

B OMB YCIDyE

zygsnids

AEGERIDyE
SPHIN GIDS

Macro-Lepidoptera.

Loopers or Spanners.

Owlets or Moth Millers.

Spinners.

Zyganids.

Glass-wings.

Dusk-flyers.

Sub-order Rhopalocera. The Butterflies.

HESPERIDyE

Skippers.

LYC SNIPS
SATYRIDS
NYMPHALI DS
PAP I LI ON IDS

Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks.

Wood Nymphs, Browns.

Angle Wings, Silver Spots.

Whitelings, Yellows, Swallowtails.

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

HETEROCERA. The Moths .

In this group of insects the antennae are of various shapes, gener¬
ally terminating in a point, while the wings are usually folded roof
shape over the abdomen when the insects are at rest.

Many of the species have a bristle attached to the upper edge of
the hind wing near the body which fits into a loop in the lower edge
of the upper wing for the purpose of holding the wings together dur¬
ing flight. By turning the insect upside down and spreading its
wings the bristle and loop may be readily seen.

Many of the species are extremely minute, the aid of a micro¬
scope being necessary to study them, while a few are gigantic in
comparison, being among the largest and grandest insects known.

Many 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 by night, a few love the hottest sunshine, while 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 have been
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 the perfect insect or as the egg, larva or chrysalis.

Some species make cocoons in which to pupate ; many burrow in
the ground or hide under leaves in the forest.

Most of the caterpillars of moths feed on the leaves of plants,
some in the stems and trunks of trees, while some devour fruits.
The small kinds, probably best known to the thrifty housewife, de¬
vour woollens, feathers and furs.

The 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 parasites and insectiverous birds
and mammals keeping these vast hosts in check.

MICRO-LEPIDOPTERA.

A few only of the innumerable species belonging to the four
groups representing the micro-lepidoptera will be mentioned and fig¬
ured in this work. The detailed study of these minute creatures
belongs to the specialist, and even he can only hope to become well
acquainted with the species of a few genera.

P TER OPHORIDJE.

The Pterophoridce , or plume moths, have the wings divided into
plumes or feathers. Their bodies and legs are slim, and the creat¬
ures are so delicate as to be difficult to capture and preserve with¬
out injury. Most of these insects are night flyers and may be met
with from early in the spring till late in the fall.

Various Forms of Plume Motlis.

The caterpillars are hairy and spin no cocoon, changing to a
naked chrysalis suspended from the end of the abdomen. The
chrysalides of some species of these moths are also hairy.

Pterophorus peutadactylus.

The white plume moth (. Pterophorus peutadactylus') is not a com¬
mon insect in the East, 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

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

fragile that the greatest care is necessary in handling it. The larva
is said to feed on the tender leaves of the 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. The legs of the moth are so long, and it stands so
high when at rest, that it bears a slight 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 the largest and most easily recognized.

Alucita hexadactyla.

The six-plumed moth ( Alucita 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 brown markings, and a black 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.

TINEID2E.

The Tineidce are mostly very small moths, and the number of
species belonging to the group is very large. Many of these insects
are gayly, some magnificently, colored; but a microscope is needed
to see their beauty. Their wings are narrow and pointed, and are
fringed with long delicate hairs. The larvae 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 plants, 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.

Tinea Jlavifrontella,— tlie common clothes moth, is found in our
houses in summer, and may frequently be seen flying about our apart¬
ments at night. It is of a light yellowish color and has a silky
appearance.

The larva is whitish 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 he
all used with effect ; but common kerosene oil is perhaps the simplest,
cheapest and most effective. When woollens are to he put away for
the summer, sprinkle kerosene oil profusely in the bottom of the trunk
or box in which they are to he packed and after it is filled lay over the
goods a paper saturated 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 will remove all smell of the kerosene.

Tinea granella.

Tinea granella is a creamy-white moth with brown markings on
the upper wings 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.

In Hyponomeuta millepnnctatella the larvae are gregarious and
spin cocoons. The moth is three-fourths of an inch across the

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

expanded wings, the fore wings being white with black dots, the
hind wings dark gray.

Depressaria robiniella.

Depressaria robiniella. This moth expands three-fourths of an
inch. The head and fore wings are reddish-brown spotted with yel¬
low. The hind wings and body are gray. The green larvae live on
the leaves of the locust and spin their webs among the leaves drawing
them together. They are very active creatures and in searching for
them by pulling their webs apart they are very liable to wriggle away.
The larvae are said by Packard to pupate 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 lepidopterous insects, many of them less than an eighth of
an inch in expanse of wing. The larvae of these minute insects
mine in the leaves of different species of trees.

TOR TRICIDJE.

The leaf-rollers, so called because the larvae of most of the
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, country.

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 chrysalides protrud¬
ing from the webs.

MICROLEPIDOPTERA.

Lozotcenia cerasiovorana is about one inch across the expanded
wings, which are of an ochre-yellow color crossed by brownish
markings.

The larvae of these insects are gregarious and live on the leaves
of the choke-cherry, their unsightly nests with the yellowish-brown
shells of their chrysalides attached to the outside of the webs by their
posterior ends may frequently be seen by the roadside. The moths
often remain about or upon the nests several days after hatching.

Lozotsenia cerasiovorana. Lozotaenia rosaceana.

Lozotcenia rosaceana expands nearly an inch in a fine specimen.
The fore wings are light brown crossed by bands of reddish-brown
and the hind wings are light yellowish brown. The larva is said by
Packard to bind together the leaves of the rose, apple and straw¬
berry with a few silken threads. The insect is double brooded, one
appearing in June and another in August.

Antitliesia pruniana.

Antithesia pruniana is five-eighths of au 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.

Carpocapsa pomonella.

Carpocapsa pomonella is the famous coddling moth, the larvae of
which often does so much damage to the apple and pear crop, living
in the interior of the fruits and causing them to drop to the ground
when only partly grown. The moth is half an inch in expanse and
is dark brown in color.

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

PYRAL1DM.

The Pyralidce , or snout moths, may be recognized by the long
fore wings, their long legs and elongated bodies. Many of them
also have the palpi very much elongated, from which they derive
their common name. Some species are day flyers, 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 Moths.

or streaked with bands of gold, others are gray or brown, often of a
silky lustre, while some are black with white spots. While at rest
many species fold their wings close to and partly around the body,
giving them a tubular form. Many of the larvae feed upon grass
and clover, while some devour the leaves of the grape, and one inter¬
esting but very destructive species infests the comb of the honey-bee
often ruining all the comb in a hive.

This species, Gcaleria cereana , is gray and purplish-brown in
color, and the larvae pupates among the honey-combs, where it has
constructed its silken galleries. This insect is double brooded.

Crambus girandella.

Orambus girandella is satin white with a broad gold band on the
fore wings. The larva is whitish or gray, of a silky appearance and
feeds upon grass or clover. This insect is sometimes very abundant,
and I have seen the whole front of a house where a bright light was
kept burning during the night so covered with this species as to look
silvery white at a distance of a few feet.

GEOMETRIDS.

Loopers or Spanners.

The insects belonging to this group are easily distinguished by
their slim bodies and broad thin wings, which, 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 wavy lines. The antennse are often
feathery (pectinated) and the legs usually slim and long.

The larvse, from which the group derives the name of Geomet-
ridce , or “ earth measures,” are readily distinguished from the larvae

of all other moths by their peculiar mode of progression, which
is by bending the body into loops, thus giving the appearance of
measuring the ground over which they travel.

Larvae of geometrid moths.

From four to six of the abdominal legs possessed by the larvae of
most lepidoptera are wanting in this group, in consequence of which
the larvae of geometrids may be recognized at a glance. Many of
these larvae 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 first warm days in
spring till late into the fall.

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

Angerona crocataria is a yellow moth with light brown markings,
and expands from an inch and a half to two inches. The larva feeds

on the currant and strawberry 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.

Breplios infans.

Brephos infans 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 may be taken in the 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 favorable 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.

Anisopteryx vernata. Anisopteryx autumnata.

Anisopteryx vernata and Anisopteryx autumnata , the spring and
fall canker-worm moths, have in the larval state long been a seri-

GEOMETRIDS.

ous pest in different parts of the country, as they frequently
appear in such 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 quarter inches in
expanse of wing.

As the females of these two species of moths are wingless grub¬
like creatures, and can only deposit their eggs on the trees which form
the food of the larvae by climbing their trunks, it would seem that
their destruction is a simple matter. Still one sees whole districts
wherein fruit and shade trees have been stripped of their foliage, in
spite of the precaution of encircling the trunks with 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 may be found
ascending the trees to lay their eggs, the males hovering about.

The moth of the fall canker-worm emerges from its cocoon, which
is spun beneath the ground, late in October. The spring canker-
worm makes no cocoon, but 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 gray and brown
with light lower wings.

Zerene catenaria.

Zerene catenaria, beautifully white, with black markings and
dots, is not uncommon in our fields and among low shrubs in
September and October. It is feeble in flight, and is often quite
local. In expanse it will measure about one and a half inches.
I have never seen the larvae, but have found the thin, transparent
cocoons attached to low shrubs, and have hatched the moths.

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

The larva of Amphidasis cognataria feeds on the maple and cur¬
rant, and, like the full-grown moth, is thick-bodied for a geometrid.

The moth is dark gray, speckled and marked with black, and about
two inches in expanse.

Rheumaptera liastata.

RJieumaptera liastata is a black-and-white moth, little more than
an inch 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.

Hybernia tiliaria.

This moth, Hybernia 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.

fully grown the larvae descend into the ground, where 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.

Petropliora 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 damage.

Hrematopis 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
alighting after it has been flushed from the grass. Its colors are
yellowish-red crossed by bands of pink. The larva is said to feed on
chickweed.

Geometra iridaria.

An exceedingly beautiful little moth is Geometra iridaria.
About one and a quarter inches in expanse of wings, it is of a rich

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 charmed 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 moth, Endropia Jiypochraria , has brownish-gray wings
with brown markings. It expands about one and a half inches.

In Eutrapela clematata we have a moth with brownish-gray wings
the inner part darker crossed by brown and light gray lines. It ex¬
pands one and three-quarters inches. Eutrapela transversata is light
brownish-yellow, with distinct lines and markings of brown. Ex¬
panse nearly two inches.

Acidalia ennucleata is creamy-wliite 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 closely
resemble patches of lichens when flattened against the trunks of
trees, the lines and bits of color on their wings 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 surface as to be scarcely distinguishable.

GEOMETRID MOTHS.

NOCTUIDS.

Some yellow and brown species have the habit of resting with wings
extended on the upper sides of leaves so as to almost exactly resem¬
ble the brown and withered 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 larvre of this group of insects are many of them protected
both by their shape and coloring, and even by 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
from a branch, holding on by 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 both 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.

Owlets, or Moth 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. When at rest they fold their wings over the
body, roof-shaped, in such a way that the lower wings are entirely
concealed. Their antennse 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 coloring,
browns and grays being the predominating colors. Many of them
are thickly covered with long hair-like scales, which are easily loos¬
ened. The thorax is frequently tufted ; and the legs covered with
long scales are sometimes provided with spines at the joints. 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 Erebus strex 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 larvse are usually smooth, though some are hairy, and a few
possess tubercles and warts. They are generally provided with six¬
teen legs. Some make cocoons in which to transform to the chrysa¬
lis state ; the majority' burrow into the ground and form smooth,
naked chrysalides. Many of the caterpillars feed exclusively 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.

Our first example is the splendid moth Erebus odora , which
expands six or seven inches and is occasionally taken as far north as
Canada. It is a rare visitor, and one may consider himself exceed¬
ingly fortunate who captures a good specimen, for it is said not to
live in the United States except as a wanderer from Mexico. I
have never taken a specimen, but know of several instances where
they have been captured in New England and the Western States.
The insect is not rare in Mexico ; 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 brown ; but in certain lights,
pink and metallic purple and blue 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 obscure 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 the life history of the insect.

In Parthenos nubilis, the insect looks very much like the Gatocala
and has much the same habits. The upper wings are dark brown,
black, gray and creamy-white. Thorax and body light brown.
Lower wings blackish-brown with four wavy and somewhat indis¬
tinct bands of yellowish-orange. Expanse of wings two and one-half
inches. I have 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.

Erebus odora.

NOCTUIDS.

Tlie genus Catocala is very well represented in tins country, and
is of more interest to tlie collector than any other class of the
Noctuidse, both on account of the large size of many of the species
and also for their great beauty. These insects frequently measure
three inches or more across the expanded wings. The upper wings
are usually brown or gray with numerous zigzag lines running across
them, while the lower wings are frequently crossed with broad black
bars, alternating with bands of red, yellow or white. The lower
wings 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 larvae and tlie perfect moths are protected
by their resemblance in color to the bark of trees, and only careful
and diliigent search will enable one to find them. There are eighty
or more species of this genus native to this country, and a large
number of varieties which have been given separate names. Tlie
identification of some of the species is difficult, both on account of
their variation and the obscurity of their markings.

Catocala cara is one of tlie most common moths of this genus as
well as one of the largest and finest.

It loves to fly along water-courses at night, particularly where
tliejr are bordered on either side with forests, and on this account
may often be found in the daytime hiding on the underside of the
boards and beams of bridges, and I 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 every day from the
middle of August to the last of September and be tolerably certain
of finding specimens of this and sometimes one or two other species.
Where trees overhang the water, too, one may look for this insect
with good chances of success in finding it.

The larva of this insect lives on willow 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 these
moths seem to be 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 tlm net for its capture
but place the open end of the poison jar over it and when 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. Although many of the Cato-

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

cola may be enticed into one’s room on warm evenings in August,
by placing a light in the window, I have never yet taken Catocala
cara in this manner ; nor does it seem to be attracted by sugaring,
and if one had to depend on this mode of capture he would conclude
that it was a rare insect.

Catocala relicta.

This is one of the finest and rarest of the Catocala. The upper
wings of the male insect are creamy-white, crossed by several indis¬
tinct bands of gray ; the lower wings are black, with a white curved
bar crossing just below the middle and a creamy-white fringe at the
margin. The head is light ; but the thorax and abdomen are dark
gray, almost black. The upper wings of the female are much darker,
although specimens may be found ranging from almost pure white to
dark gray. A fine specimen of this rare moth will measure nearly
four inches across its expanded wings, and it is enough to make one’s
heart jump with excitement to see one of these strikingly 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 Catocala , this insect is
local, and may sometimes be found in some abundance. One collec¬
tor with whom 1 am acquainted has taken a dozen perfect specimens
in a season, but this must be considered very unusual. I have
always found it a very scarce insect. It is widely distributed, as I

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

Upper Side

Under Side

CATOCALA CARA

NOCTUIDS.

have had specimens from New England, Ohio, Illinois, Arkansas and
Virginia.

Although common, Catocala concumbens is a very attractive insect.
Its forward wings being a soft gray, while two bars of black and two
of pink adorn the lower wings. This moth may be taken 1 )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 heaps 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 epione.

A number of the Catocala have no bands of bright color on the
lower wings, but these members are simply 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 related that their
separation into species is not an easy matter.

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

These moths inhabit oak woods, generally in company with other
kinds, and are most often to he found in the daytime hugging closely
to the trunks of the trees where their gray wings marbled with dark
brown 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.

The little Catocala fratercula , which much 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 brown patches and markings,
and its lower wings are orange banded with black. One will often
find 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 moth Catocala cerogama has upper wings gray and brown,
with black markings. Thorax gray. Body brown. Lower wings
brown near the bod}r, the rest being black crossed by a single narrow
band of dull orange, edged with yellowish-gray. This insect ex¬
pands a trifle over three inches. I have not found it a common
specie, but have specimens from Arkansas, Ohio, Massachusetts and
Ontario, Canada.

In Catocala parta the upper wings are gray, light brown and
black. Thorax gray and black, body light brownish-buff. Lower
wings orange-red with one narrow and one broad black band, the
outer margin yellowish-gray. The insect expands three inches and a
half in a fine 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 subnata. Upper wings gray and light brown. Thorax
light gray, body yellowish-brown. Lower wings oclireous-yellow

Catocala unijuga. ata.

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES OF THE UNITED STATES.

ERRATA NOTE.

The plate attached hereto is to replace the one issued in Section
II., to be inserted in the book as cancelling pages 65 and 66.

BRADLEE WHIDDEN, Publisher.

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

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
brown 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.

oiacK. rnorax gray ana biach, body iignt brownish-bull. Lower
wings orange-red with one narrow and one broad black band, the
outer margin yellowisli-gray. The insect expands three inches and a
half in a fine 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 subnata. Upper wings gray and light brown. Thorax
light gray, body yellowish-brown. Lower wings ochreous-yellow

NOOTUID MOTHS.

NOCTUIDS.

crossed by two bands of black. Expanse nearly 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 innubens , 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
yellow 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 flebilis. Upper wings dark gray and sooty black.
Thorax dark gray. Body sooty 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 wings 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 palceogama. 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 antinympha. Upper wings blackish-brown, with black
and brown marks. Thorax and body dark. Lower wings ©range,
with two black bands. Expanse, two inches. I have specimens of
this insect from Ohio and Massachusetts.

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

Poaphila quadrijilaris is a little moth which expands about an
inch. It is very dark brown, or almost black, lighter toward the

Poaphila quadrifilaris.

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 marshy 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 blade, 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.

Drasteria ereclitea.

Drasteria ereclitea is a very common insect frequenting 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 half, 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 chimney, 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 looping motion.
The mature insect is grayish-brown with dark brown bands and
markings disposed as shown in the illustration. The male is more

NOCTUID MOTHS.

NOCTUIDS.

strongly marked than the female. This insect is found over a large
part of the American continent.

Euclidia cuspidea.

A pretty species related to the preceding is Euclidia cuspidea.
Of the same size, its wings are brown crossed by bands of light
yellowish and reddish-brown and having on the upper wings several
patches of very dark velvety brown or black. This insect may occa¬
sionally he seen among low hushes and shrubs, particularly about
patches of sweet fern. When disturbed it flies rapidly for a short
distance and drops suddenly among the low bushes and conceals
itself. The larva is unknown to me.

Khodopliora florida.

One of our most beautiful Noctuids is Rhodophora 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 their
length, 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 the flower petals in
the daytime, 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, Ohio and in Massachusetts, and have specimens
which were taken in Canada and Florida. The larva is probably a

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, HellopMla
unipuncta , both belong 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, but has been taken in the North, where its
occurrence is said to be from southern migration.

The army worm has a wider distribution than 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
yellowisli-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 Hellopliila unipuncta.

abundant as to devour almost every vegetable growth within their
reach. At such times they commence 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-yellow 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 Plusia. The fore
wings rather pointed, usually of different shades of brown, are fre¬
quently ornamented with 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
larvse, generally greenish in color, sometimes striped, are some of
them injurious to garden vegetables, and spin their thin cocoons,
through which the pupse can be seen, among the leaves.

NOCTUTDS.

These moths frequent flowers in the evening, one of their favor¬
ites being the phlox, upon the blossoms of which they alight. It is
amusing to watch one of these moths standing almost upon its head

Plusia simplex.

as it thrusts its tongue into the flowers in its eagerness to procure
the sweets. Plusia 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 with a broad band of
brown. This insect is probably double-brooded, as I have taken
it in June and again in September.

Plusia putnami.

A very pleasingly colored species is Plusia putnami. The head,
forward part of the thorax, antennae and legs are reddish-pink, the
tuft of hairs on the thorax being pinkish-brown. The abdomen is
yellow 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

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

lamp in Ohio and Massachusetts in August. Some species of Plusia
have no metallic spots but are rich in their reddish-brown shadings.

In Plusia cerea the upper wings are purplish-brown. Head and
forward part of thorax yellowish, dark gray above. Body yellowish-
gray. Lower wings dark brown, lighter next to body. Expanse one
and 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 Glortyna the larvae 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.

Gortyna nitela.

In Glortyna nitela the fore wings are purplisli-gray stippled with
yellow, a light line running across them. The lower wings are light
brown. The larva is pinkish-brown, darker toward the head and is
marked with light yellowish-white 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.
The insect pupates just below the surface of the ground, where it
constructs a slight cocoon. The moth appears in September.

Cucullia speyeri.

Cucullia speyeri is a gray moth with slender pointed upper wings
marked with brown, the lower wings being white, margined with

NOCTUIDS.

gray-brown. This insect lias a crest on the forward part of the
thorax, and from this fact is called the hooded owlet. The cater¬
pillar feeds on golden rod.

Pyropliila pyramidoides.

Pyrophila pyramidoides is a common moth with brown fore wings
crossed by wavy lines of dark brown and black, while the hind wings
are copper colored and brown. The whole upper surface of the
insect is very glossy. In September this insect may be found on
fences and tree-trunks 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 Bellura gortynides ,
which lives in the leaf stems of the pond lily, having a communica¬
tion with the air through 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. The perfect insect is brownish, 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 appropriate name of the zebra worm.

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

This insect is frequently to be seen in the autumn on the leaves of
the parsnip, carrot and cabbage, although I have never seen it abun¬
dant enough to do much harm. The smooth, naked caterpillar is

Larva of Mamestra picta.

striped longitudinally with yellow and black in conspicuous bands,
these stripes being crossed with numerous fine white lines on the
sides of the insect. The larva burrows into the ground and passes
the winter in the pupa state, whence it emerges in the spring a moth
with dark chestnut-brown fore wings and yellowish-white hind
wings. The moth expands an inch and a half.

In the genus Agrotis the larvae are known by the appropriate
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 the 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 weather advances they burrow 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 cab¬
bages, beaus or peas, and hiding just below the surface of the ground
during the daytime, ready to renew their depredations the next
night. When the larvae arrive at maturity they again descend into
the ground, where they pupate. The moths emerge in July and
August. The larvae are stout-bodied creatures, dingy in color, often
striped from head to tail with light gray and brown or black. They
are naked, with a horny plate on the upper part of the body near the
head, and the different species so closely resemble each other as to be
scarcely distinguishable. These insects are very destructive to many
flowering plants as well as garden vegetables, and one or two species
have been known to ascend apple and pear trees and grape vines in

NOCTUIDS.

the night ancl devour the fruit buds, greatly diminishing their pro¬
duction.

Many experiments have been tried to destroy these pests, but
perhaps the most effectual is to carefully remove the soil from about
the infected young plants and kill the caterpillars as they lie curled
up near the roots an inch or less below the surface 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 he
found to be excellent traps for these annoying marauders. The
caterpillars in their nightly wanderings in search of food fall into the
receptacles and one may wreak vengeance on them in the morning as
they will be unable to climb up the smooth sides of the tin. Re¬
venge is indeed sweet when one has seen his finest flowers and vege¬
tables cut off in early youth by these destructive “ worms.” The
perfect insects are mostly nocturnal in their habits, coming into our
houses at night and secreting themselves behind picture frames or
among clothing in our closets in the daytime. Some species are,
however, day-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 very 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
Agrotis will give an idea of their general appearance.

Agrotis tassellata. Agrotis c-nigram. Agrotis liormaniana.

Agrotis tassellata 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 species, the fore wings being
dark brown, gray and black, with a few lighter spots and markings,
while the hind wings are light brown. It is one of the larger species,
expanding an inch and three-quarters.

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

Agrotis normaniana is a prettily marked species, its fore wings
being marked with gray, buff and black, with the bind wings buff
and brown. The insect expands an inch and a half.

Agrotis lierilis. Agrotis venerabilis.

An exceedingly abundant species during August is Agrotis lierilis.
The fore wings are gray and black, with cream-colored marks and
spots, while the hind wings are light brown. Expands about an
inch and a half.

Agrotis venerabilis is a reddish-brown moth, whose. hind wings are
grayish-brown. Expands an inch and three-eighths.

Calocampa nupera.

A rather rare moth, and at the same time a prettily marked in¬
sect, is Calocampa nupera. This insect expands two inches and a
half, and is marked as follows : the upper half of 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 the abdomen
reddish-brown. I have taken this insect occasionally in autumn
while sugaring trees for Catocala. The larva of this moth is unknown
to me.

NOOTUIDS.

Apatela americana is a gray moth, with a scalloped, light gray
line near the outer margin of the fore wings edged externally with
black and brown, and with a row of black dots along the outer

Apatela americana.

margin. The lower wings are yellowish-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 usually seen partially
curled sidewise when not feeding. Its head, belly and legs are black,
and its back is dull green. The hairs covering its body are yellow,
with two pairs of tufts of long black hairs on the forward part of the
body and a single tuft near the posterior extremity. 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 bits
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 lobelice the upper wings are gray with light gray lines
and black marks. Thorax gray. Abdomen brown. Lower wings
light brown. Expanse -two inches.

Grramatopliora trisignata is a pretty species, being of a mouldy-
green color on the fore wings, marked with lines and mottlings of
black, with three round reddish-brown spots on each wing, the lower
wings being light yellowish-brown.

This moth I have taken on one or two occasions with a lamp in
Ohio and Massachusetts. I have also received one specimen from

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

Toronto, Out. It expands an inch and a half. The larva is one
of those strange, weird forms in which Nature seems occasionally
to delight, suggesting that she must have been in a “ wondrous
merry mood ” in evolving a being so grotesque. The extreme of the

Larva of Gramatopliora 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 disturbed 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 shells of the insect’s head
which were shed 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 brown patch occupying several of the segments. The
six front legs, head and warts from which the hairs spring are
shining black. The food plant of the caterpillar is lilac.

BOMBYCIDM.

Spinners.

The family of Bombyx is one of great importance, as it not only
includes many of the largest and finest insects in the world, but also
those of greatest importance to man from an economic standpoint, as
in this family belong all the principal silk-producing insects from
whose cocoons such a variety of beautiful and useful fabrics are
manufactured. The moths belonging to this family are mostly stout,
thick-bodied insects, frequently very hairy or woolly. They have
small, sunken heads, and the antennae are often feathered, particu¬
larly in the males. The mouth parts are either rudimentary or
wholly wanting, many of the species not being able to appropriate
food of any kind in the perfect state. Their wings are usually broad,

BOMBYCIDS.

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
clothing is of more subdued 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, while others are fleshy and are adorned
with rows of tubercles. A few are naked and smooth.

Xyleutes robinice. One may find in the trunks of poplar, oak and
locust trees, protruding from large circular holes, the \empty shells
of this moth. Xyleutes (the carpenter) is a very appropriate name
for this genus of moths, as their 1 ar we mine in the solid wood of

' Xyleutes robiniae. Female.

trees, excavating long tunnels, increasing in diameter as the cater¬
pillars grow. Their larvae have true legs and prolegs, but are grub¬
like looking creatures. The present species is flesh color above and
light beneath, with the head and the forward part of the body above
covered with a hard shelly substance, brown in color. When fully
grown the caterpillars are two or three inches long. They seem to
prefer large trees and sometimes do considerable damage, riddling
the trunks and carrying their tunnels out through the bark before
changing to pupae. They are said to require three years to reach
maturity and make their thin silken cocoons in the burrows some
distance from the opening, usually lining the tunnel with silk both
front and back of their cocoons.

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

The pupa is yellowish-brown, and, by means of rows of short
spines on the abdominal segments, works its way to the mouth of its
burrow, when the moth is about to break the shell. The moth comes
forth in July, and is a night-flyer. The insect is very plain. Its
wings are parchment-like, resembling in some respects the coddis
flies. The female is light gray, with a net-work pattern of dark
brown on the fore wings. The head 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 robinise. Male.

forward wings are of a greenish-gray and dark brown, its head and
thorax gray, abdomen black, and its lower wings orange and black.
Although not a rare insect, on account of its habits it is seldom seen.

Zeuzera pyrina. The leopard moth is a European species which
has been introduced into this country. The wings are white, partly
transparent, and marked with a number of dark spots and rings, from
which it has derived its popular name. The caterpillar bores tunnels
in the wood of various trees (elm, ash, maple, pear, apple, etc.), and
is capable of doing a good deal of damage should it become very
numerous. It is yellowish, with numerous black spots on the sides
and back, and has a horny plate on the segment next the head. The
moth may occasionally be taken about electric lights in the neighbor¬
hood where it has been introduced.

To the genus Sthenopis belong some rare and interesting moths.
I have made the acquaintance of but two species of this genus in this
country, Sthenopis argentomaculatus and S. argentata. 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.

specimen I ever took is two and a half inches 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.

A remarkable characteristic of these moths is their exceedingly short
antennae. 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, although 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.’'' S. 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 hook at dusk in July 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 lately sent me from
Cooktown, 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-bodied, and are distinguished by the lack of the
loop and bristle which holds the upper and lower wings together
during flight in other moths. The caterpillars are soft-bodied creat¬
ures, almost velvety to the touch, and are clothed with short soft
hairs, thickest on the sides, which do not arise from warts or tuber¬
cles. The antennae of these moths are feathered more broadly in the

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 larvae 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 Clisiocampa americana , the tent caterpillar, whose un¬
sightly webs of large dimensions are to be seen almost everywhere
in neglected apple orchards and by 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 together 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 hatch about the time that the leaf-buds are ready to
burst in May. The young caterpillars construct in the fork of a
branch a small triangular web or tent of fine silken webs in which
they remain through the night and during cold or stormy weather,
sallying forth in long lines, usually in single file, each caterpillar
spinning its web, presumably to enable it to retrace its steps as it
advances to the ends of the twigs to feed upon the opening foliage.
In time these lines of silk extend to the tips of all the immediate
branches about the nest, which is added to as the individuals com¬
posing the colony grow in size. As they remain in this tent at
all times when 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 birds and of
all parasitic insects. When the caterpillars reach maturity they are
about two inches long, sparsely clothed with soft hairs thicker on the
sides, with black heads, and are striped lengthwise with white,
yellow and black, 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 walls, frequently on buildings on the clapboards or under the

BOMBYCIDS.

eaves. They are oval in form, light colored and thin, and intermixed
with the threads is a yellowish-white substance which seems to give
stiffness to the cocoon. About 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.
The body of the insect is woolly, and is of a rusty brown color, its
fore wings being crossed by a lighter band edged on either 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 difficult 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 larvae first begin their opera¬
tions in the spring their nests may easily be taken from the trees and
each colony 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 whole colony is at
home. A piece of coarse burlap wound around the end of a pole and
saturated with kerosene oil will be found well fitted for the work, as
the oil will destroy the caterpillars which it touches even if they are
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, which seems to be the favorite food
plant of the species. Two or three neglected trees will breed moths
enough to stock several orchards with the pest the following spring.

The parasites probably do more to hold these insects in check
than all other agents (man included) put together. If one will

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

closely watch a colony of the tent caterpillars when out of their nest
or a large number of larvae of any other kind, he may see a small
swarm of ichneumon flies constantly hovering about and over them.
These are on the watch for a chance to deposit their eggs in or on the
bodies of the caterpillars ; and when one considers their numbers and
persistency, one wonders that a sufficient number of the larvae 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 which 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 the net presumably made by a bird ; and
when the larvae were taken out and examined, of the entire number
but three had escaped the ichneuman flies which had found their
way into the net and laid their eggs on the caterpillars.

While a species is comparatively scarce, its chances of escape
from birds and parasitic insects are fairly good ; and if it is a prolific

Clisiocampa disstria.

species well adapted to its surroundings and has plenty of food, it
will increase until its posterity may be reckoned by millions. It now
begins to attract attention, both from the birds and the parasites, as
a large amount of food going to waste. The parasites attack it, and
having an abundance of food begin to increase at a rapid rate ; and
the birds finding an easily obtained food-supply neglect other foods
and apply themselves to this. The consequence is that the demand
soon equals and finally exceeds the supply, and an entire region
previously infested with an injurious insect ma}7 be so depopulated
in one or two seasons that a careless observer might conclude that the
species was extinct or had migrated to other parts. This, in my
opinion, is the explanation of the sudden disappearance of many an

B0MBYC1DS.

insect pest which may have at one time threatened the destruction
of the plants upon which it subsisted.

The forest tent caterpillar, Clisiocampa disstria , 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 back 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 by a broad
band of a darker shade. It is an inhabitant of ail the New England
and Middle States.

Tolype velleda.

The lappet moth, Tolype velleda , 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 body. 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 much 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 body. 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

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

thin paper, attached to the trunk or a limb of the tree upon which
the larva fed. The chrysalis is dark brown and very smooth. The
moth makes its appearance early in September and is a night-flyer,
occasionally attracted to lighted lamps. Its colors are soft and
blended, being white shaded with blue-gray, and its wings crossed
by two broad bands of dark gray. The female moth expands two
and one-half inches, but the male is smaller, expanding but one and
one-half inches.

Another species, closely related to the preceding but smaller, is
Tolype laricis, which lives on the larch. Its larva is brownish-gray
in color and about an inch and a half long. Its habits are much like

Tolype laricis.

T. velleda , and it makes a similar though smaller cocoon. The moth
emerges early in September and lays its eggs, which do not hatch
till the following spring. The female moth resembles T. velleda in
color, except that it is lighter near the body, and the outer gray band
on the forward wings is darker and narrower. The male, which is
here figured, is dark gray with clouded wings. The abdomen is
sooty black. According to my experience this is a rare moth.

Gastropaclia americana.

Crastropaclta americana is a reddish-brown moth with a lighter
band crossing the wings, edged with wavy dark brown 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. The larva feeds on apple,
birch, maple and ash. It is flattened beneath and fringed with hairs

BOMBYCIDS.

on the sides, like T. velleda. It is gray above, with irregular white
spots, and striped with sooty black, having two scarlet hands crossing
the forward part of the body, on each of which are three black spots.
The under side is orange.

The caterpillar measures over two inches in length when fully
grown, and makes a gray-brown cocoon on the tree upon which it
feeds. The 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 than three inches. The
sexes differ so much in coloring, size and shape as to scarcely be
recognized as the same species. The antennae of the females are
narrow, while in the males they are pectinated for two-thirds of their
length. The larvae feed on various forest trees and are sometimes so
abundant as to completely strip the trees of their leaves. These in¬
sects pupate in the ground.

Anisota senatoria is a common species in the eastern United States
and Canada, and may be taken the latter part of June about electric
lights at night or found in the daytime clinging to grass-stalks under
oak-trees, where they have rested to expand their wings after leaving
the chrysalis shell. The female moth deposits her eggs in clusters
on the under side of the leaves of oak-trees, and the larvae may some¬
times be seen in immense numbers.

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 larvae are full grown and have departed. When
young they eat only the small and tender leaves, devouring the

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

larger and tougher ones as they grow in size and strength, often
stripping whole acres of forests of their leaves. When not feeding,
the caterpillars congregate in immense clusters, 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 with short spines on each segment, and two horns on the
segment next the 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 inches 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 has flown. The female moth expands two
and a half inches, and is of an ochreous yellow color, with a reddish
cast, tinged slightly with purple along the outer margin of the fore
wings. The upper wings are stippled with faint brown spots and
have a small white dot near the centre. The male is much smaller
than the female. Its wings look small in proportion to its body and
are purplish-brown, darker toward the tips of the fore wings, which
have a white spot in the centre.

Anisota stigma is not nearly so common an insect as the preceding
species, and I have never seen it abundant. The habits of the cater¬
pillar are similar to those 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 resembles
A. senatoria , but is richer and more reddish in coloring, with larger
spots of dark brown or black on its wings. The male is more like
the female in color than is the male of the other species, and has a
large white spot 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 nearly three inches.

In Anisota virginiensis the scales are thinly scattered over the
wings, so that they appear almost transparent. The female is more
purple than the other two species, and lacks the sprinkle of brown
spots. The male is small and purple-brown in color, with a scaleless,
transparent patch in the middle of each of the wings. This insect I
have never found abundant. The female moth is about the size of
A. senatoria , but the male is smaller than tire male of that species.

BOMBYCIDS.

The larva of this insect, like the two preceding, lives on the oak. It
is of a dull grayish-green color, with indistinct stripes of pinkish, and
is stippled with white dots. It is armed with short spines and horns,
and, like the other species of the genus, is rough and hard.

Anisota rubicunda.

Anisota rubicunda is very variable in its abundance or scarcity,
and is sometimes to be taken in numbers where, during the next sea¬
son, it may be rare. The species is usually very abundant in Wash¬
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 perfect insects just out of their
chrysalids may be taken by the dozen in June clinging to the grass
stalks under the trees. One may even gather the live chrysalides as

Chrysalis of Anisota rubicunda.

they protrude from their burrows 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 downy.
The males are much smaller than their 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, spiny
along its back and sides, and is firm and rough to the touch. It

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

seems to be more plentiful in the South than the North, and is, I be¬
lieve, a rare insect in New England.

We now come to the two genera Citheronia and Eacles, the royal
moths, both represented by large species. They are very stout-bodied
moths and hairy or woolly. The antennae of the males are broadly
pectinated for two-thirds of their length, the same organs of the
females being simple. Their wings are strong, but they fly only by
night. The larvae are armed with horns on the forward part of their
bodies and are also somewhat hairy. They spin no cocoons, but pass
the winter in the pupa state under ground. The chrysalis 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.

Citlieronia regalis. Male.

Citheronia regalis 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, V a., which is nearly seven inches across.

BOMBYCIDS.

The body is reddish-orange, with yellow spots and lines on the thorax.
The upper wings are olive streaked with broad reddish lines which
follow the veins, and a number of large yellow 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 be 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 has reared the perfect insects, of which 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 the
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
bush, 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 which it is attached
without danger of its taking flight.

Eades 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 with a broad band of
the same color extending along the outer margin. The lower wings

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

have an irregular wavy line of the same color crossing them with a
round spot and a vague patch above. Both upper and lower wings,
particularly the former, are stippled with blended spots of dark brown
or black. The thorax and abdomen are mottled with yellowish-buff
and brownish-purple. The female is lighter than her mate, all four
wings being crossed with a band of brownish-purple, with an irregu¬
lar clouded patch of the same color at the base of each wing near the
1 >ody . The body is mottled and the wings stippled much the same
as with the male. A good-sized specimen 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 throughout
Mexico and temperate and tropical South America.

The eggs are deposited singly on the button-wood, oak, and the
different species of pine, and the caterpillars 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 hairy. Each segment is armed with short
rough spines, with four larger ones on the forward part of the body.

Larva of Eacles imperialis.

The spiricles are very distinctly 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, which is much
like that of C. regalis , 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 from its burrow after the moth 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. Where pine or
sycamore trees overhang a road or a well-worn path the huge pellets

Female Moth.

Male Motli.

EAGLES IMPERIALIS.

BOMBYCIDS.

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 grasp 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.

Saturnia io is a familiar insect to most persons having a slight
acquaintance with our native lepidopteria, and like several other
native insects belonging to this family of Bombycidce is a very lovely
creature. The predominating color of the male, which expands three

Saturnia io. Female.

inches, is a yellowisli-buff, deeper on the lower wings, the fore wings
having a purple-brown spot a little above the centre of the wing,
with two 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 band on the inner
margin. The body is yellow, and the antennae, which are red, are
broad and pectinated. The female is considerably larger than the
male. The upper wings are a deep brownish-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. The antennae 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

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES .

compact patch of from thirty to eighty, or more, on the underside
of a leaf. When the caterpillars hatch they are reddish-brown in
color and covered with minute spines. They are gregarious in their
habits during the earlier part of their existence, feeding, resting and
moving from place to place in regular order. When half-grown they
separate, and during the remainder of the caterpillar state shift for
themselves. The mature larva is two and a half inches long, of a

Larva of Satnniia io.

light green color, with a white stripe edged with reddish-purple
extending along the sides. It is profusely covered with branching
spines which are very sharp, and when carelessly touched sting like
the nettle, causing the part affected to swell into whitish pimples,
smarting painfully for an hour or two. When about to pupate the
larva descends to the ground, where it draws together a few dead

Chrysalis and cocoon of Saturnia io.

leaves and spins among them a thin, irregular, brown cocoon, in
which it passes the winter, coming out as a moth late the following
June. This insect is readily attracted with a bright light, and the
males may be assembled in numbers with a captive female.

Saturnia maia. When the leaves of the oak are unfolding in the
spring colonies of small, dark brown, spiny larvae may be found on
them by diligent search. These are the young of the maia moth, and
they may be easily reared by enclosing a small scrub-oak in mosquito
netting and allowing the larvae to feed. As the larvae mature they

BOMBYCIDS.

101

become solitary in their habits, and when fully grown are three inches
long, and, like the preceding, are covered with sharp branching
spines which sting, but in a less degree than Saturnia io , if the in¬
sect is handled carelessly. The larva is brown in color, with reddish-
brown head and legs, the tubercles at the base of the spines being
also reddish-brown. 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 maia. Male.

The moth emerges late in the fall, usually about the middle of
October, and is one of the last of our lepidoptera which the collector
may take on the wing. The maia moth is a day-flier, and may be
seen on mild autumn days when the woods and fields are brown,
hovering over the shrubby oaks.

The males are easily assembled with a captive female. The sexes
are 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 with a tuft of red hairs which the female
does not have. The wings seem to be thinly covered with scales,
and on that account are partly transparent.

This moth is often very local, and may be abundant in one local¬
ity while scarce in another, apparently as favorable to its habita¬
tion. It may be readily taken on the wing with 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 where the female rests concealed on a scrub-oak.

Next in order comes the group of moths called Attaci , which
includes many of the largest silk-producing species.

Attacus cecropia 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-half or even seven
inches from tip to tip of their extended wings ; and were it not so
common, it would be much higher prized by collectors. When fresh
from the cocoon, its wings (still soft, but fully expanded) have the
appearance 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 first time,
“Now if I could manufacture a piece of goods like that, I think it
would sell.” The subdued 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 materials used for our adorn*
ment and comfort. The female cecropia moth, the bulk of whose
enormous body is composed almost wholly of eggs (two or three
hundred in number), lays them singly or at the most two or three
together on the under side of the leaves of the food plant. These
eggs are circular in shape, slightly flattened above and below, and

Larva of Attacus cecropia.

are creamy-white in color. The young caterpillars make their appear¬
ance in ten or twelve days and are at first dark brown 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 deep yellow studded with black tubercles and spines.
The insect assumes a greenish and Anally 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-

BOMBYCIDS.

103

ig creature with large coral-red tubercles on the forward part of its
idy, yellow ones on its back, and smaller blue ones on its sides and
about its head, all covered with short black bristles. It clasps the
hough or twig on which it rests with a wonderful tenacity, and if
iaced on one’s finger the grasp of its fleshy feet with their minute
tooks is very noticeable. It has a peculiar odor, both in the larva
id the moth state, which may be of some protection to the animal.

Toward the end of September the caterpillar constructs its coarse,
rown, elongated cocoon, which is usually attached on one side to a
vig or branch. This cocoon is composed of two parts, consisting of
loose, wrinkled outer covering and a well-shaped and dense inner
od, with fine floss silk separating the two, which are both loosely

Section of cocoon of Attacus cecropia.

pun at one end to enable the moth to make its escape. There is
■equently a marked difference between the cocoons found on trees
nd shrubs on high ground and those taken from low bushes and
shrubs in swampy districts. The latter are frequently two or three
mes as large externally as the upland variety, and have a large
mount of the floss silk between the outer and inner coverings,
'his variation I cannot explain, and have noticed no difference in
i le moths emerging from the two varieties of cocoons other than
•oat the swamp-inhabiting specimens appear larger and richer in
oloring than their upland relations. Sometimes the cocoons of these
oecies are to be found in large numbers. In the suburbs of Chicago
f hey may be seen on the shade trees in dozens and sometimes in liun-
reds ; and I have known two men to collect a bushel of them in

104

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

June, usually in the morning; and by evening its wings are rigid
and it is ready to take flight. As these moths take no nourishmen
their lives are very short after reaching maturity. Resting hidden

Swamp and upland forms of cocoons of Attacus cecropia.

by day among the leaves, the males sally forth at evening in search <
their mates guided by their keen sense of smell, and having insure
the continuance of the species for another year, they soon perish.

This insect inhabits a large part of the continent east of tl
Rocky Mountains. In Colorado, Utah, California and the far We
generally its place is occupied by closely allied forms, very large an
heavy-bodied insects, in which red and dark brown colors predom
nate. Two or three species of Attacus from Mexico are interestin
from having a transparent almond-shaped spot in the centre of each
wing. One of these, Attacus splendens , is a lovely creature, m.
whose wings pink, brown, purple, black and white are mingle
making a very pleasing combination. There is frequently gre
variation in the coloring of these moths.

Attacus cynthia is a species which has been introduced into tU
country and Europe from China, and may now be found in a wild

ATTACUS CECROPIA

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

Under Side

ATTACUS CYNTHIA

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

Upper Side

Under Side

ATTACUS PROMETHIA - MALE

■

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

Under Side

ATTACUS PR0METH1A - FEMALE

BOMBYCIDS.

105

state In the vicinity of New York City, Philadelphia and other
places where its food plant, the alantlms, has been cultivated as a
shade tree. It became so common in Philadelphia and Washington,
D. G., at one time as to be a pest, and threatened the destruction of
the trees ; but the parasites and birds seem now able to cope with
it and hold it in check.

This insect is reared in Asiatic countries for its silk, which is
said to be strong and very durable, but lacks the beauty of that
produced by Bombyx mori. It was probably for its silk that it was
introduced into this country, but that- it has ever been successfully
utilize*! here for the manufacture of fabrics I have yet to learn.
The female lays two hundred to three hundred cream-colored eggs,
and the young caterpillars are yellowish profusely adorned with
black spots and tubercles. The mature caterpillar is three inches
long, of a clear bluish-green color adorned with blue tubercles. The
cocoon is similar in shape to that produced by the next species de¬
scribed, Attacus promethia , and is a little larger.

In some parts of the country the insect is double-brooded, the
second brood remaining in its cocoons- during the winter months,
coming out late in June. The moth is a fine large insect, expand¬
ing, in large specimens, four or five inches. The females are usually
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 with whose life history the amateur collector is likely to
become acquainted. The female moth deposits her eggs in July on
the twigs of the wild cherry, sassafras and button-bush, sometimes
five or six together and at others twenty or thirty or more in a

cluster ; 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 BUTTERFLIES.

the upper part of the 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 part of
the body are yellow. While feeding these caterpillars usually re¬
main among the tender leaves on the new growth, and several are
generally found in close proximity. On reaching maturity the
caterpillar descends to the lower part of the bush and begins spin¬
ning its cocoon. After selecting a leaf suitable for its purpose, it
commences by spinning a quantity of silk along the branch and
down the stem of the leaf in order to make it secure for the winter.

Cocoon of Attacus promethia.

It then draws the sides of the leaf together with silk, and therein
spins its tough, brownish cocoon. The silk is very strong, and the
cocoons are attached so firmly to the twigs by 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 firmly at¬
tached. The upper end of the cocoon, which is double like Attacus
cecropia , is so loosely spun that the moth has little difficulty in forc¬
ing its way out. This silk could probably be made useful in the
arts, as it is very strong and durable and the caterpillars could he
reared in the open air in countless thousands with little difficulty.

The moths emerge from the cocoons the latter part of June and
the first of July, the females differing so much from the males as
easily to be mistaken for different species. The male is a very oily

Female Moth.
ATTACUS AN GU LIFER A.

BOMBYCJDS.

109

insect, and in preparing specimens for the cabinet the abdomen
should be opened from the under side and its contents removed, the
space being filled with cotton. Attacus promethia is a day-flyer ;
but although such a common insect, it is seldom seen on the wing un¬
less one is assembling the males with a captive female. When
following up the scent, the insects do not seem to know fear, and
one may gather by hand the specimens 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 the country where he carried a live female,
Attacus promethia , fastened in a net to the frame of his bicycle.
In wheeling along the road he could watch the train of eager suitors
as they followed his tracks, crossing where he crossed and stopping
and circling about where he stopped. Coming to a farmhouse, he
went in for a drink of water leaning his 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 about the lawn. “ Why,” said the old lady, “ there is
one now, a big one ; and there is another and another. I haven’t
seen so many butterflies before this summer. Why look at them.
Did you ever see the like? I never saw so many butterflies before
in all my life.” Having thanked her for the water, my brother
mounted his wheel and rode away, followed by the flock of “ butter¬
flies,” leaving the old lady standing on the lawn and looking after
him in open-mouthed wonder.

Attacus angulifera is a moth closely related to the preceding. It
is a rare insect in the Northern 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 by this caterpillar, which closely
resembles A. promethia , also resemble those of that insect, and are
attached to the stems in the same manner. They are, however,
larger and less firm. The moths hatch in June, and are day-flying
insects. The female is a rich tan color, with a black wavy line ex¬
tending across all the wings and the eve-spot near the tip of the fore
wing, similar to A. promethia. The male somewhat resembles the
female of A. promethia in the color pattern of its wings, but is of a
dark yellowish and ochreous-yellow stippled with dark brown or
black.

110

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

The large and fine moth, Telea polyphemus , is a native of the
eastern half of the United States, and is a familiar object to every
one who has made a collection of native lepidoptera. The eggs of
the moth, two or three hundred in number, are usually laid singly
on the leaves of a variety of trees, oak being its favorite food plant,
while maple, elm, birch, cherry, linden and other trees frequently
furnish its fleshy light green larva with sustenance. The larva may
easily be distinguished from the larva of Actias luna , which it closely
resembles, by the seven oblique yellow lines on each side of its ab¬
dominal segments, while the larva of A. luna has a lateral yellow
stripe. It is a large and handsome caterpillar, when fully grown

measuring three or four inches in length and thicker than one’s
thumb, while each of the segments is adorned with pearl-colored
tubercles from which spring silvery hairs. The caterpillar spins its
whitish oval cocoon in September, and passes the winter in the pupa

Cocoon of Telea polyphemus.

state. The cocoon is usually spun among the leaves still on the
tree, and generally falls to the ground with the leaves. The silk is
strong, nearly white and of a silvery lustre, and as it is spun in a
continuous thread, it may with care be unwound after soaking in
warm water in which has been dissolved a little baking soda. This

BOMBYCIDS.

Ill

silk lias been used for manufacturing into fabrics, and although it
has not the fineness of the silk of Bombyx 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 commercial 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 the silk from the cocoon of Telea poly-
phemus could be unwound, spun and woven into cloth inexpensively.
Just think of the undergarments, socks, gloves, etc., we might wear,
not to mention the curtains, portieres, rugs and carpets that might
adorn 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 watch one of these large caterpillars spin its
cocoon. The spinneret is located just below the jaws, and as he
moves his head backward and forward the silken thread is drawn
out. It takes about three days continuous labor to complete the
cocoon, and when it is nearly finished the caterpillar gives the whole
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
gland 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 others have a decided reddish or pink¬
ish tint. These latter are frequently very 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 where 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 purple, is justly esteemed by collectors as
one of the most lovely creatures the insect world affords. When
fresh from the cocoon, its downy wings fully expanded 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 distinguished
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 branches of the
forest trees. Being very light they look almost white in the moon¬
light. They are difficult 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 difficult to find.

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. They are dark in color at
this stage and covered with hairs. They reach their full size early
in September, and are then two and a half to three inches long, as
thick as one’s thumb, and of a translucent green with a yellow
stripe extending along each side, a similarly colored band running
transversely across the back between 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 jiolyphemus 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 the snow, which protects them from the severe
frosts of winter. Many of them are found by the moles, skunks,
crows and jaj^s and help eke out the scanty rations of these animals
during the months of scarcity. One may find the cocoons in autumn
and earl\' spring by searching among the fallen leaves under the
walnut and birch trees. This insect is not very hardy, but may be
reared with care from the egg or the caterpillar, although the moths

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

Under Side

TELEA POLYPHEMUS

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES DENTON

Upper Side

TELEA POLYPHEMUS

ACTIAS LUNA.

Male.

BOMBYCIDS.

115

are apt to be small in size, as the insect does not seem to thrive well
in captivity.

I am in hopes of finding a method of breeding Inna moths of
good size, but so far the efforts of my brothers and self have re¬
sulted in pigmies. This insect is sometimes found in great abun¬
dance, and I have seen the sidewalk under an electric lamp littered
with their wings, the insects attracted to the light having probably
been devoured by bats.

. Cabinet specimens should be kept out of the light, 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 wing, extending across the thorax, is
purplish-brown. On each wing is a transparent eve-like spot sur¬
rounded by rings of maroon, ochre-yellow and black. The body
is very downy and cottony-white, and the antennm 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 QBombyx ?nori'): 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 larvae 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 problem in a scientific
manner at their experimental station in the Agricultural Department
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 this 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 than
the larvae of most of our silk-spinning moths. The insects, too, are
very susceptible to several contagious diseases which sometimes carry
off hundreds of thousands in a single night.

The female moth lays three hundred or more eggs, which are
round and of a light yellow color, and are usually attached to the
paper generally provided for this purpose by a secretion furnished by
the moth. The eggs soon begin to turn dark, and the young cater¬
pillar when it makes its escape is dark gray, clothed with long hairs

116

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

which spring from tubercles on its sides and back. With each moult
the caterpillar grows lighter, and when fully grown is two inches
long, dull yellowish in color, with a curved horn somewhat resem¬
bling that of the larva of a sphinx moth on the posterior end, and
the first three segments next the head very much swollen and
wrinkled. The interior of the body is filled 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 the angler is manufactured. The
cocoons are often very beautiful and symmetrical, usually oval, but
sometimes constricted slightly about the 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 proportion to the size of the
larva and the cocoon. Neither male nor female is able to fly, and
after leaving the cocoons they 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 distributing profusely illustrated literature on the subject,
is the Gypsy moth, Ocneria or Porthetria dispar , an importation
from Europe. The larva of this moth, to which little in the way 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 country within Middlesex
County, and it is hoped that by persistent effort it may be entirely
eradicated. The insect is attacked at every stage of its development.
About the trunks of trees in infected districts bands of burlap are
secured, and under these the larvae are often found resting during
the day, they being night-feeders. The pupae 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

MALE

FEMALE

OCNERIA DISPAR

BOMBYCIDS.

117

gathered and burned or treated with a solution which destroys their
life. Whole areas of forest and scrub land have been cleared and
burned over to annihilate the pest. The work of the Board for the
extermination of this pest has met with a good deal of adverse criti¬
cism, but that its labor of keeping in check this foreign army of
invasion has been thoroughly performed, is shown by the fact that
in many places where most 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 moth is much smaller than his mate and can fly, while
the female, although provided with wings, cannot use them in flight.
The distribution of the insect, therefore, even if unrestricted, would
be slow. The eggs are laid in clusters, usually on the bark of a tree,
although the 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 color are readily seen. The larva is
brown and is thickly covered with stiff hairs, while red and blue
tubercles adorn its back.

Portliesia chrysorrlioea.

Another importation from Europe which has also found a foothold
in eastern Massachusetts, although not nearly so destructive as the
Gypsy moth, is the Brown-tail moth, Porthesia clirysorrhoea. The
moth is creamy white, with a white body tipped at the end of the
abdomen with a tuft of brown hairs, from which the insect derives
its common name. The larva is dark brown or black, with reddish
hairs covering the body except on the sides, where there is a row of
small tubercles from which spring white hairs. There are several
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 BUTTERFLIES.

A number of the following stout-bodied, hairy moths belong to
the family Natodonta. Some of them resemble the Noctuids, both
in the pupa and perfect state, and may easily be mistaken for them.
The larva;, which often bear humps, tubercles and spines in many of
the species, have but four pairs of abdominal legs used in crawling,
the last pair being prolonged into tails or are held above the 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 the ground.

Oerura borealis.

Cerura borealis is a whitish moth, marked with brown bands
across the upper wings, and is interesting from its peculiarly shaped

larva, which has a forked prolongation or tail adapted from the last
pair of abdominal legs. When disturbed it pushes out from the end
of this forked tail two fleshy orange-colored filaments, which it bends
over its back or sides as if to protect itself. This larva is naked, is
green and purplish in color, and feeds on the poplar and choke-
cheny ; its color is protective, and it looks while feeding on a leaf
a dried and withered part of it.

Clusters of a smooth, bluish, yellow and black-striped larva, with
the head and a hump on the posterior end of the body, orange-reel,

BOMBYCIDS.

119

may often be seen hanging to the stems and leaves of the oak in
September. This is the larva of Edema albifrons and is sometimes

Larva of Edema albifrons.

abundant enough to do considerable damage to the trees. When not
feeding, and especially if disturbed, the caterpillars bend the head

Edema albifrons.

and rear end of the bodj^ over the back. The perfect insect has
brown upper wings with a whitish band along the upper margin, and
light yellowish-brown lower wings.

Ccelodasys unicornis.

Ccelodasys biguttata.

A curiously humped caterpillar is the larva of Coelodasys , of
which we have several species. Coelodasys unicornis is buff-gray,

Larva of Ccelodasys.

with darker markings, and Coelodasys biguttata is gray with brown
markings and light brown hind wings.

120

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

A closely related species is Nerice bidentata , a little moth which
is rather rare. The upper half of the upper wings is brown with an
uneven dark brown line running from base to margin. Below this is

Nerice bidentata.

a white area gradually shading into light brown. The lower wings
are light brown.

Another curiously humped caterpillar is the larva of Gddemasia
concinna. The head and a hump on its back is red, while the body

Larva of (Edemasia concinna.

is striped with black, yellow and white lines and supports a few
black spines. This caterpillar is sometimes to be seen in clusters on

Plieosia rimosa.

the apple-trees, where, if unmolested, it is capable of stripping the
branches bare of leaves. It also feeds on the cherry and plum. The

BOMBYCIDS.

121

cocoon is made under leaves in August or September, and the perfect
insect comes forth in June or July of the following year. The moth
is light brown and gray and has a dark brown band along the lower
margin of the upper wings. It expands something over an inch.

Pheosia rimosa is a gray, brown and yellowish- white moth occa¬
sionally to he seen about electric lights. It looks and flies a good
deal like a noctuid.

A moth which curls its abdomen up in a curious manner when at
rest is Apatelodes torrefacta. In this position it would scarcely he

taken for a moth at all unless closely examined. The fore wings are
gray, with a dark brown spot near the base. The lower wings are
light pinkish-brown. Both sets of wings have faint lines crossing
them.

Great numbers of a black and yellow-striped larva sparingly fur¬
nished with soft whitish hairs may he seen in August and September
on the apple and cherry, and also the birch and other forest trees,
completely stripping the branches of their leaves. So numerous are
they and sometimes congregated in such masses that the branches
bend with their weight. These caterpillars bend the head and tail

Larva of Datana.

up over the body when disturbed and rest on the four forward pairs
of abdominal legs. They are the larvae of Datana. The caterpillars

122

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

descend a few inches into the ground in the autumn, where they
remain in a chrysalis state till the following July. Our best-known

Datana'ministra.

species is Datana ministra , a tan-colored moth with buff lower wings
and having a patch of reddish-brown on the thorax and several lines
of the same color crossing the fore wings.

A genus of moths of medium size, interesting from their gay
colors and the habits and shapes of the larvae, is Limacodes. These
larvae are slug-like creatures, and would hardly be taken for cater¬
pillars at all by the novice. The body is short and thick, high in
the middle and flat beneath. The head is concealed beneath the for¬
ward part of the body, and both the true legs and prolegs are

Limacodes scapha.

scarcely discernible. The animal adhering closely to the leaf
or twig upon which it rests has much of the gliding motion of the
slugs. Some of these larvae are naked, while others are adorned
with branching spines or fleshy filaments. Some of the caterpillars

BOMBYCIDS.

123

are gayly colored. When mature they spin a tough oval or nearly
spherical cocoon attached to the twigs of the food plant, oak, walnut,
birch and other forest trees furnishing them with food. The moth
emerges from the cocoon by pushing off one end, leaving the side
attached like a half-spherical lid.

Limacodes scapha is a prettily marked little moth expanding
about an inch. The body and lower wings being cinnamon-brown,
and the upper wings having a rich reddish-brown patch covering
most of the upper part of the wing, edged with silver beneath. The
rest of the wing is light brown. The larva is green, without spines,
short, thick and high in the middle. It feeds on the oak.

Limacodes querceta.

Another prettily marked insect is Limacodes querceta. It is
reddish-brown with a small dot of dark brown in each fore wing, and
a broad, irregular patcli of light green extending from near the lower
margin next the body diagonally across the wings to near the tip.

Parasa fraterna.

The caterpillar lives on the oak and willow, is yellow and purple in
color, and lias a number of branching, pointed- filaments which spring
from its back and sides. The moth makes its appearance in July,
and often comes into our rooms at night attracted by the light. It
is a rapid flyer for so small a moth, its short wings humming with
the rapidity of their motion.

124

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

P arasa fraterna is a rare and beautiful little moth, and is closely
related to Limacodes. The upper wings have a wide, bright-green
band crossing them, with a brown margin and a brown patch next
the body. The abdomen and lower wings are light yellowish-brown,
and the thorax is green. I have taken this insect on but two or
three occasions with a lighted lamp in Massachusetts, and know
nothing of its life history.

Lagoa crispata.

To the genus Lagoa belong some very woolly moths which go by
the appropriate name of flannel moths. Our common species, Lagoa
crispata , is of a light yellow or light buff with crinkled black and

Case of tlie Evergreen Bag Worm.

light brown hairs on the fore wings. The body is very downy, and
when at rest with the wings folded the creature looks like a bit of
wool. The larva, which is also very woolly, feeds on the blackberry,
oak and apple. The head is hidden beneath the forward segments of

BOMBYCIDS.

125

the body and the legs are so short as to suggest the larva of the
Limacodes. The cocoon is formed of the hairs of the caterpillar
closely woven with silk.

In Thyridopteryx ephemeroeformis or the evergreen bag worm, the
larva constructs 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 during its caterpillar state. The larva lives on the
red cedar and the arbor-vitse, and the pieces of the leaves are laid
lengthwise of its case or bag. The female moth is wingless and grub¬
like, and never leaves the case, in which it transforms into a pupa
after having closed up 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.

Halisidota caryte.

An insect sometimes very common and doing considerable damage
in the Eastern States to hickory, elm, beach, apple and other trees is
the hickory-tussock moth, Halisidota caryce. The larva is a pretty
caterpillar, an inch and a half long when mature in September.
The head, feet and belly are black, 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 back, and long white hairs growing for¬
ward over the head. There are also two pairs of tufts of long black
hairs placed near either end of the body with a single pair of white
tufts near the posterior end. The larva makes an oval gray cocoon
composed largely of its own hairs held together with silken threads.
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. Several rows of whitish, silvery spots cross the
fore wings and between them is a fine stipple of brown dots. We

Halisidota tessellata.

have other species of tussock moths which closely resemble the fore¬
going, both in the larval and perfect state.

Orgyia leucostigma 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 leucostigma.

The caterpillar is one of our handsomest, being striped with yellow,
brown, green and lilac, sparsely clothed with white hairs on the
sides with two long plumes of brown hairs next the head, a similar
plume on the posterior end of the body and four short, thick, 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 the cocoon, cover-

BOMB VOIDS.

127

ing them with a frothy substance which, on drying, makes a white
crust.

Sometimes seen in numbers in June is the salt-marsh moth,
Leucarctia acrcea. The thorax, the end of the abdomen and the upper
wings of the male moth are white, while the abdomen and the
lower wings are yellowish-tan color. Both 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 spats on the back. The female
moth differs in color from the male in that the lower wings are white
instead of tan. The larva of this moth, which is widely distributed,
is frequently seen in large numbers feeding on the coarse lowland
grass, not only of the sea-coast, but in the interior of the country.
It will also attack other plants, and is capable of doing a great deal
of damage. When full grown it is nearly two inches long, covered

Phragmatobia rubricosa. ■

with long dark brown hairs on the back and lighter hairs on the
sides. The spiricles along the sides are white, and the skin of the
caterpillar is yellowish. In the fall the caterpillar conceals itself

128

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

among the lower grass stems or under stones, and there makes its
hairy brown cocoon, in which it passes the winter in a chrysalis state.

A pleasingly-tinted little moth is Phragmatobia rubricosa. The
upper wings and thorax are pinkish-brown, the lower wings reddish-
pink with brown margins, and the abdomen is red with a row of
small brown dots on either side, with another row down the back.
The wings are so thinly clothed with scales as to be almost trans¬
parent. The larva is unknown to me.

An insect well known to almost every one is the brown and black
hairy caterpillar covered with stiff short bristles all about the

Larva of Pyrrliarctia isabella.

same length, which rolls itself into a round ball when disturbed.
This creature feeds on a variety of herbaceous plants, and may be
seen in the fall actively engaged in seeking a suitable place for
its winter hibernation ; for, unlike the larvae of most lepidopterous
insects, it passes the winter in the caterpillar state and may some¬
times be found on mild days in the winter crawling over the snow.

Pyrrliarctia isabella.

As soon as vegetation starts in the spring it begins feeding, and
makes its hairy cocoon under boards, stones and the like in April or
May, whence it emerges a moth in June or July. This moth is
Pyrrliarctia isabella , and is of a tawny yellow or dull tan color,
having a number of brownish spots on its wings and body.

BOMBYCIDS.

129

The Arctians are a genus of moths represented in this country by
several exceedingly beautiful forms. The species are very variable,
and on this account have caused considerable confusion. The
antennae are usually feathered in the males and simple in the
females. The larva is covered with stiff sharp-pointed hairs. The

Cocoon and pupa of an Arctian.

cocoon is oval, loosely constructed of the hairs of the caterpillar
interwoven with a few threads of silk. The chrysalis is stout,
smooth, and dark brown in color. The moths of this genus come
readily to a bright light, and a collector in the country will often
find them flying about his room on warm summer evenings. They
have a habit of feigning death when captured. Several of the
species give off a strong odor when handled, which is probably 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 than nine different names. The wings are usually an inch
and a half in expanse and are of a pale yellow, pinkish near the
base of the lower wings, and striped on the forward pair by broad
bands of black with triangular black spots near the outer margin.
The lower wings also have several black spots. These spots and
bands sometimes cover almost the entire surface, giving the moth a
very different appearance. The abdomen is usually flesh color with
a band of black on each side and one on the top. The caterpillar
lives on the dandelion. Its hairs are black on the back, and brown
on the sides.

A ret ia arge.

One of the most common species of this genus is Arctia arge.
The general color is a flesh tint, being intensified to reddish along

Arctia plialerata.

the outer margins of the lower wings. Narrow triangular black
spots and long black stripes adorn the upper wings, with several
black spots on the lower wings'. A row of black spots extends along
each side of the abdomen and one row down the back. This insect

BOMBYCTDS.

131

expands nearly two inches 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 hairs which spring
from dark colored warts. The larvae live on the plantain.

Another common species is Arctia phalerata. The thorax and
upper wings are yellowish-buff with broad black stripes and triangu¬
lar spots, and the abdomen and lower wings are reddish-pink with
black spots and markings.

Our largest and most beautiful species of this genus is Arctia
virgo. The upper wings are flesh color marked with broad stripes of
black, and the lower wings are vermilion red and deep reddish-pink
at the base with large black spots. The thorax is the color of the
upper wings, with 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 lighted lamp in Massachusetts and in northern Ohio. The
insect expands two and one-half inches. The caterpillar is brown,
covered with brown hairs, is two and a half inches long when fully
grown, and feeds on pigweed, dock and plantain.

The common snow-white miller, Arctia virginica , has a wide distri¬
bution. The wings are pure white with one or two small dots of
black, 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 “ yellow bear,” which is a common pest in
our vegetable gardens, devouring almost everything in the way of
herbaceous plants it finds. Its body is covered with long yellow or

132

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

tan colored hairs, and it has an interrupted stripe of brown on either
side and a brown band between each of the segments. The insect
passes the winter in its hairy cocoon, and in the following June
appears as a moth.

Larva of Cycnia egel.

On the milkweed may often be seen numbers of little caterpillars
covered with tufts of black, white and orange hairs. These are the
harlequin caterpillars, and are the larvse of a plain little blue-gray
moth, Cycnia egel , which makes its appearance the latter part of
June, after having passed the winter in the pupa state in its oval
hairy cocoon. The abdomen of the moth is yellow above, with a
row of black dots down the back, resembling the Arctians.

Utetheisia bella Is a very beautiful moth, and is widely distributed
over this country. Its habits 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, however, taking wing if not further
molested. These habits, combined with a probably very bitter taste,
have doubtless preserved this gayly colored little creature from ex¬
tinction. The larva is one and a half inches long, and is yellow and
white in color sprinkled with black dots. It feeds on herbaceous
lowland plants.

The anchor moth, Callimorpha interrupto marginata , is a rather
rare moth, and is about the same size and marked with brown similar
to the soldier moth, except that it is yellowish where the other
species is white.

•

■

BOMBYCIDS.

133

The soldier moth, Callimorpha lecontei , is a common species to be
found among rank grass or bushes near brooks or swamps in June
and July. When disturbed it flies a short distance and quickly

Callimorpha lecontei.

hides away among the grass or shrubs. This insect is rarely seen
singly, and often while walking among the grass of low land I have
started half-a-dozen of these 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. The larvae are thinly clothed with hairs, and are brown in
color with yellow stripes. They are niglit-feeders on herbaceous
plants, hiding by day.

Hypoprepia miniata.

A beautiful little moth which sometimes comes to the lamp of
the collector is the striped footman, Hypoprepia miniata. It is
deep scarlet with three dull brown stripes running lengthwise of the
upper wings and a broad border of the same color along the margin
of the lower wings. The dark brown spiny larva feeds upon lichens,
and makes a thin silken cocoon. The moth appears early in June.

134

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

Another species closely related to the foregoing and easily mis¬
taken for it is Hypoprepia fucosa. This moth is somewhat smaller
than Hypoprepia miniata and may he distinguished from it by the
color of the wings, which are yellow and red.

ZYGJENIDM.

In the family Zygcenidce , 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 large number are diurnal in their habits, rifling the
flowers of their sweets in the hot sunshine. The larva is short, thick,
and usually adorned with small tubercles. Many of the species are
hairy, others naked. Most 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.

Otenucha virginica.

Ctenucha virginica may be seen on the white clusters of elder
blossoms during the sunny hours. It is not timid and is slow to take
flight. The head and sides of the thorax are orange, the fore wings
are smoky-brown, the hind wings bluish-black, and the body is deep
purplish-blue. The wings expand two inches or over. The larva is
hairy and feeds on grasses. It constructs a thin hairy cocoon.

A very long and narrow-winged species is Lycomorpha pholus.
This insect expands a little over an inch ; in color the shoulder
covers 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
may frequently be seen extracting the honey fiom the goldenrod by

ZYGiENIDS.

185

the roadside. The hairy greenish larva feeds on lichens growing on
stones, and makes a thin silken cocoon.

Lycomorpha pliolus.

A prettily colored moth is Eudryas grata. The thorax and fore
wings are white, with brown, pinkish-brown and greenish-brown
markings, while the abdomen and lower wings are yellowish-buff

Eudryas grata.

with markings of brown and pinkish-brown. This insect expands
about two inches. The caterpillar feeds on the leaves of the Vir¬
ginia creeper and the grape. It is a peculiar looking creature, being
blunt at the posterior end and crossed by numerous bluish and orange
bands and fine black lines and spots. The transformations are passed
in the ground.

Another species, differing greatly in the perfect insect but very
similar in the larval state to the foregoing, is Alypia octamaculata.
This insect expands something over an inch, and is black with the
exception of two large yellow spots on each of the fore wings, two
large white spots on each of the hind wings, the shoulder covers
(which are yellow), and tufts of reddish-orange hairs on the legs.
This moth is an active creature, flying about in the sunshine, sud-

136

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

denly disappearing and as suddenly returning. It is very common
in some parts of the country. The larva is banded with white and
orange and with narrow black lines and rows of black dots. This
species has eight black lines to each segment, while the preceding

Alypia octomaeulata.

lias but six. It feeds on the leaves of the grape and Virginia
creeper, and transforms into a pupa in an earthen cavity beneath the
surface of the ground. There are usually two broods in a season,
one coming forth in June and another in August and September.

Psycliomoiplia epimenis.

Psychomorpha epimenis I have found a rather rare little moth,
although I have heard of its being abundant in some parts of the
country. The insect is black, witli a large yellowish-white spot on
eacli fore wing and a large brick-red spot on each hind wing. It
expands about an inch. The caterpillar feeds on the grape and
Virginia creeper, drawing the ends of the young shoots together
with silken threads. In shape it resembles the foregoing, but has a
bluish appearance ; being banded with black and white lines. It
transforms in the ground.

iEGERIDS.

13T

JEGERIDJE.

Glass-wings.

The moths belonging to the family JEgeridce are rather small,
and are readily distinguished from all other moths by their resem¬
blance to bees and wasps. They have narrow, mostly transparent
wings, long bodies, with a fan-shaped tuft of hairs at the posterior
end, and spindle-shaped antennae. Most of the species are gayly
colored and all are diurnal in their habits. The larvae 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. They are grub-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, where a rude cocoon is constructed by
cementing together fragments of wood. The pupa is armed with
minute spines on its abdominal rings, and when about to break the
shell makes its way out of the cocoon and along the passage
to the opening previously made by the caterpillar. Here the moth
escapes, often leaving the empty shell protruding from the hole.

Melittia cucurbit*.

Melittia cucurbitce is our largest native species of this group, and
expands about an inch and a half. The upper wings are black, the
lower ones transparent, edged with a fringe 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 plum trees
from the destruction caused by the larva is JEgeria exitiom. 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 body is also blue, with a yellow tuft at the
extremity. In the female moth the fore wings are dark blue and
opaque, while the hind wings are transparent, and the abdomen is

138

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

crossed by a broad band of orange. The larva feeds on the inner
bark and young wood of peach and plum trees, infesting them

Algeria exitiosa. Male. Algeria exitiosa. Female.

especially near the ground. So destructive is this pest in some
regions as to have caused the abandonment of peach growing.

ACgeria tipuliforme.

The currant borer, JEgeria tipuliforme , is scarcely less destructive
than the preceding, and, as its name implies, the larva bores in the
stems of tiie currant. The larva feeds on the pith of the plants,
causing the leaves to turn yellow and eventually the plant 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, with a coppery colored bar at the tips of the forward pair.
The shoulder covers and three lines across the abdomen are yellow.
The moth makes its appearance in June.

Ageria pyri.

A small species, whose larva bores under the bark and in the
young wood of the pear tree, is JEgeria pyri. The insect expands
half an inch. Its general color is purplish-black above and yellow
beneath ; but the wings are transparent, with a band of copper-brown
at the tips of the forward pair, and the body is crossed with two nar¬
row lines and one broad band of yellow, while the fan-shaped tuft of
hairs at the end of the abdomen is yellow.

SPHINXES.

189

S P I UN G I DjE.

Dusk- flijers.

The interesting group of moths that come under this 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 Linnaeus on account of a fanciful resemblance which the

NOTICE.

The reprint of pages 139 to 142, sent herewith, is to replace
the same pages issued with Section III of this work.

The Publisher.

These moths have powerful, long, narrow wings, particularly the
upper pair, and stout spindle-shaped bodies. The antennae 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, well-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
usually 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

138

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

crossed by a broad band of orange. The larva feeds on the inner
bark and young wood of peach and plum trees, infesting them

especially near the ground. So destructive is this pest in some
regions as to have caused the abandonment of peach growing.

iEgeria pyri.

A small species, whose larva bores under the bark and in the
young wood of the pear tree, is JEgeria jjyri. The insect expands
half an inch. Its general color is purplish-black above and yellow
beneath ; but the wings are transparent, with a band of copper-brown
at the tips of the forward pair, and the body is crossed with two nar¬
row lines and one broad band of yellow, while the fan-shaped tuft of
hairs at the end of the abdomen is yellow.

SPHINXES.

189

SPHINGIDJE.

Dusk-Jlij ers.

larvae 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. These
insects also go by the common name of Humming-bird 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.

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

Pupse 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
with 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
Hemaris thysbe. In this insect the wings expand about two inches
and are transparent, the 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 beneath. The fan-like tail
is black on the sides, with a yellowish-brown central tuft of hairs.
The under side of the thorax and legs of the 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 pickerel weed,
which grows so plentifully along the 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

Hemaris tbysbe.

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.

Hemaris diffinis.

Another species of clear- wing more common farther south than
the preceding is Hemaris diffinis , or the bumble-bee hawk moth. It
is somewhat smaller than Hemaris thy she , 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-
brown. The top of the thorax is covered with light yellow hairs

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. The larva feeds on the
leaves of the bush honeysuckle and it makes a clumsy cocoon of
leaves and sticks on the ground under the bushes.

Deilepliila cliamoeiierii.

Deilepliila chamcenerii expands two and a half inches and is boldly
and prettily marked. The body is olive-green above, with a white
line along the sides of the head and thorax, and white and black
spots with a pinkish shade on the sides of the abdomen. The fore
wings are dark olive-green or greenish-brown, with an irregular buff
stripe extending from the lower margin of the wing near the body
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 may be 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 “ bronze-green, dull red
beneath, with nine round cream-colored spots, pupilled with black,
and having a dull red caudal horn.” It feeds on the leaves of the
willow herb.

Deilepliila 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

SPHINXES.

143

1-ike the preceding species except that there are several white lines
following the veins and extending diagonally across the upper wings.
There are also white lines on the thorax, and the abdomen has a
decided rosy tint besides the black and white markings. This insect
is found from the1 Atlantic to the Pacific coast, and extends well up
into Canada and also into the southern parts of the country, as far
down as the Gulf of Mexico. It is very abundant in some parts of

Deilepliila lineata.

the country, and I have taken it in numbers in Sacramento, Cal.,
where early on a June evening, even before sunset, it might be seen
flying in wide circles over the fields of wild flowers or poised before
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. It is said to be double-brooded in the southern part of
the country.

On the grape and Virginia creeper may often be seen during
July and August the larva of Everyx m.yron. This 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 the
head to the caudal horn, and oblique markings of yellow shaded
behind 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 pink, brownish-pink or even reddish color. In such an

144

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

insect tlie stripes and lines are usually pale pink instead of yellow
or white. The two forward segments next the head are small, and
those farther back much swollen, so that the head and first segments
may be partly retracted and almost concealed beneath the folds of

Everyx myron.

the large fleshy parts, giving the caterpillar a humped appearance and
suggesting the common name of hog caterpillar. These larvse are
often attacked by parasitic insects, whose grubs feed on the flesh and
fat of the caterpillars which later may be found in an enfeebled con-

Pupa of Everyx myron.

dition crawling about with the cocoons of their destroyers clinging
to their sides and back. The larva makes a poorly constructed
cocoon on the surface of the ground, composed of leaves held together
with a few silken threads. The chrysalis is yellowisli-gray and is

SPHINXES.

145

sprinkled with black dots. The moth expands about two and a half
inches. The body and forward wings are olive-green, the wings

Larva of Everyx myron.

being crossed by a vaguely defined band of flesh color, while the
lower wings are brick-red 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 cJicerilus. The predominating color is reddish-brown, but the
fore wings are crossed by bands of yellowish-brown and pinkish-gray,
while the lower wings are brick-red with a dark brown shade along
the lower margins. This insect may be taken about 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, easily 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. The present species is olive-green and
gray with dark velvety patches of greenish-brown on the upper, and

146

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

black on the lower wings. A rosy tint is diffused over the greens,
grays, 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 this
moth’s velvet coat a dress of modest loveliness for a lady which would
make her the envy of her fair sisters. The sight of such 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

Philampelus pandoras.

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, which 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 lights in cities, but
I have never known it to be attracted by the light of a common
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 moth is large and fleshy, and like the preceding
it can, by contracting the first three segments, almost completely hide

SPHINXES.

147

them beneath the fleshy 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 body. 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,
which after two or three moults disappears, 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.

In Philampelus achemon 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 stripe 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
Philampelus pandorus, but is very beautiful, the forward wings and
the body of a light pinkish-brown with intensely dark brown patches

148

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

arranged as shown in the figure. The lower wings are rose color,
being light buff next the body, and bordered externally with light
brown and dark brown spots and shadings. This insect is probably
less abundant than Pliilampelus pandorus. Both are widely distrib-

Philampelus acliemon.

uted, being 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 quinquemaculatus , is one of
our largest sphinx moths, and although ashen gray with a few dark
brown and black markings, is still a fine insect. The length of the
tongue of this insect is very remarkable, and on this account it is able
to extract the nectar from our largest and deepest flowers. It is inter¬
esting early on a quiet summer evening to stand beside 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 you 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

SPHINXES.

149

fruits of the tomato. It will also eat potato and tobacco leaves, and
in some parts of the country does great injury to the tobacco crop

Macrosiia quinquemaculatus.

unless men are constantly engaged in “picking worms ” from the
plants.

The larvse are usually green with a curved caudal spine. 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 swings its head from side to side in a menacing man¬
ner. It is quite harmless, however. The pupa is interesting from its
tongue case, which looks not unlike the handle of a jug. It is fre¬
quently found while spading or ploughing the garden. The pupa
passes the winter several 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.

Macrosiia Carolina.

The Carolina sphinx, Macrosiia Carolina , very closely 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 with 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 the larva of Ceratomia
quadricornis. This larva is green, of the exact tint of the underside
of the elm leaf, and along its sides are a number of oblique light

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 quadricornis.

is at rest clinging to the midrib on the underside of the elm leaf it
is a difficult creature to see, and one may gaze directly 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 midrib of the leaf, the oblique stripes
on the sides look like the main veins, and the green horns closely re¬
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, hut even when 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 the soil. The moth is four inches
or more in expanse and is light 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 the 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 flight.

Daremma undulosa.

Daremma undulosa 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 Dolba hylceus. The upper wings are light reddish-brown and gray
with many black and brown lines. The lower wings 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 with two
rows of white dots down the back: This insect is common in the
southern states and I have taken a few in Massachusetts and Ohio.

Dolba liylaous.

A very common sphinx moth with a wide geographical range
extending over the larger part of this country and Canada is Sphinx
gordius. This insect is dark sooty gray and light gray or white with
several black bars 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 blossoms,
and when the clusters of flowers are fully expanded it may sometimes
be seen at dusk on a warm quiet evening in some numbers. 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 slight whirring noise and in the half-light are almost invis¬
ible-. The larva is green with light oblique stripes on the sides, and
it feeds on the leaves of the apple though it is rarely sufficiently
plentiful to do much damage.

Sphinx chersis.

On the ash and lilac, in September, may be found a plump, hand¬
some green caterpillar, whitish on the back and having seven oblique
light yellow stripes on its sides edged above with dark green. This
is the larva of Sphinx 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 drupiferarum 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 while 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-
berry. It is light green with white stripes edged above with purple.

SPHINXES.

155

Sphinx halmice expands about four inches, and is buff and rust-red
in color, with reddish-brown markings streaking the upper wings.
It is not a rare insect, and may be taken early in the season about

Spliinx drupiferarum.

the lilac blossoms. The larva is pale green with oblique bands of
yellow on the sides, edged above with black and blue. It feeds on
the leaves of the lilac and laurel.

A plainly tinted but gracefully shaped insect is Cliloerocampa term.
In this moth the body is long and tapering, ending in a tuft of hairs.
The upper wings are long, narrow and pointed, while the lower pair
is small in proportion. Its body is tan with a yellowish stripe on
either side, and the thorax and head is brown with a light gray band
also on the side. The upper wings are light brown crossed diagonally
with 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., where about
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
Thy reus abbotii. 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 the lower wings, the rest
of the wing being yellow. The body is bluisli-gray and brown, with
lines and bands of black. From the sides of the body spring tufts of

hairs, and three spreading plumes of long yellowish-brown hairs 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 flight. The
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 grayish or greenish brown in color, crossed by numerous darker
brown markings. The under side is pink. At the posterior end is an
eye-like spot or tubercle, making the insect look, as one observer
worded it, “ as if the worm had 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. The winter is passed in the chrys¬
alis state, a few inches beneath the surface of the ground.

Amphion nessus.

A little jewel among the sphinx moths is Ampldon nessus. It
expands a little over two inches, and the wings are very much scallojied.
The ground-color of the fore wings and thorax is purplish-brown, the
wings being crossed by dark velvety brown markings and faint yellow¬
ish lines, with a spot of reddish-brown near the tip of the wing. The
lower wings are margined with a broad band of brown edged with
yellow, the rest of the wing being reddish-brown. The abdomen is
dark reddish-brown, lighter on the sides, and is crossed by two conspic¬
uous bright yellow bands. The end of the abdomen bears three tufts
of long dark brown hairs which 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 easily taken, even by hand.

I have never found this insect abundant but have had numerous
specimens sent me from Ontario, Canada, and also from Virginia.

The genus Smermthus contains some large and very handsome
moths. Unlike the species of sphinx moths already described, in this
genus the tongue is very short, 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, hying only by night,
and then in a vague and uncertain manner, contrasting greatly in this
respect with the strong, direct flight of most of the species of the

' // '/

Larva of Smerinthus.

family. The larvae are usually green in color, and their skin is rough
and granular, giving it a hard sandpaper-like feeling. The trans¬
formations are passed in the ground.

Smerintlius geminatus.

Our beautiful little Smerinthus geminatus is not a rare insect, and
may often be 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 large black
spot located near the inner angle of the wing, in which 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 pupae of this species may often he found in
connection with that of the following, in the soil at the roots of ash
and willow trees.

SPHINXES.

159

Smerinthus exccecatus is not so exquisitely colored as the preceding
species, but is still, when freshly hatched from the pdpa, a very pretty
insect. Its general color is fawn, with lines and bands of brown and

Smerinthus excsecatus (male).

tan. In the middle of the lower wings is a rose-colored patch, and
near the inner angle is a large black spot with a dim blue centre. The
eggs of this moth are large in proportion to its size, are oval in shape,

Smerinthus myops.

transparent green in color, and look not unlike malaga grapes in
miniature. The larva is green with yellow stripes on the sides. The
caudal horn is blue. This caterpillar feeds on the leaves of apple,

160

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES .

wild cherry, elm, ash, etc., and may be found near the tips of the
branches devouring the young and tender foliage. Young trees and
bushes seem to be more subject to the attacks of the larvae of these
moths than older and larger trees. This insect is found from Canada
to Virginia throughout the Atlantic States.

A dark brown insect somewhat resembling the foregoing is Smer-
inthus my ops. The fore wings and body are dark purplish-brown with
light purple lines and markings, and the lower wings have the eye-like
spot of the preceding species, but are much darker generally. In

Triptogon modesta.

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 their mimicry that one
may be obliged to touch the 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 Smerinthus or Triptogon modesta.
This moth expands, in a fine specimen, from five and a half to six
inches, and its colors are soft and pleasing. The outer two-tliirds of

SPHINXES.

161

its fore wings and the outer margin of the lower wings are olive.
The inner third of the upper 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¬
pillar 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
variety of this same species is rather abundant in the western states
and on the Pacific coast of this country.

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

OF THE UNITED STATES

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES OF THE UNITED STATES

East of the Rocky Mountains

By S. F. DENTON

A Limited Edition of 500 Copies, of which this is

Copy No. 7* .

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

Upper Side

Under Side

PYRAMEIS CARDU1

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

Part II. THE BUTTERFLIES

BOSTON :

BRADLEE WHIDDEN

1900

Brad lee Whidden

LIST OF TEXT ILLUSTRATIONS.

Part II (Butterflies).

Page

Larva of Hesperidas (Eudamus tityrus) . . . . 166

Thanaos brizo . 168

Thanaos persius . 168

Pliolisora catullus .............. 169

Pamphila delaware ............ 170

Pamphila mystic . 170

Pamphila leonardus . . . . . . . 171

Pamphila peckius . 171

Pyrgus tessellata . 172

Eudamus proteus . 173

Eudamus lycidas. Upper side . 174

Eudamus lycidas. Under side ........... 175

Eudamus pylades . 175

Eudamus bathylus . 176

Ancyloxyplia numitor . 176

Larva of Lycasna . 178

Lycaena pseudargiolus. Pig. 1. Male . 180

Lycasna pseudargiolus. Under side. Fig. 2. Male . 180

Lycasna pseudargiolus. Under side. Fig. 3. Male . 181

Lycasna pseudargiolus. Under side. Fig. 4. Male . 181

Lycasna pseudargiolus. Fig. 5. Female . . 182

Lycaena pseudargiolus. Under side. Fig. 6. Female ' • . 182

Lycasna pseudargiolus. Fig. 7. Male . . . . 183

Lycaena pseudargiolus. Under side. Fig. 8. Male . 183

Lycaena pseudargiolus. Fig. 9. Female . 183

Lycaena comyntas. Male . 184

Lycaena comyntas. Under side . 185

Lycaena comyntas. Female . 185

Chrysoplianus hypoplasas, var . 187

Clirysophanus thoe. Male . 188

Chrysophanus thoe. Underside . 188

Clirysophanus thoe. Female . 189

Feniseca tarquinius . 190

Feniseca tarquinius. Under side . 191

Thecla halesus . 193

Thecla halesus. Female . 194

Tliecla halesus. Female. Under side ......... 194

Thecla smilacis . . 195

Thecla smilacis. Under side . 196

Vlll LIST OF TEXT ILLUSTRATIONS.

Page

Thecla pocas . 197

Thecla pceas. Under side . 197

Thecla calanus .............. 198

Thecla calanus. Under side . 199

Thecla edwardsii . 200

Thecla edwardsii. Under side . 201

Thecla strigosa . 202

Thecla strigosa. Under side . 202

Thecla lmrauli .............. 203

Thecla humuli. Under side . 203

Thecla titus . 204

Thecla titus. Under side ............ 205

Thecla irus . 200

Thecla irus. Under side ............ 200

Thecla niphon . 207

Thecla niphon. Under side ............ 207

Thecla augustus .............. 208

Thecla augustus. Under side . 208

Larva of Satyrus .............. 210

Chrysalis of Satyrus . 210

Chionobas semidea . 211

Chionobas semidea. Under side . 211

Satyrus alope. Male ............ . 212

Satyrus alope. Male ............. 213

Satyrus alope. Female . 213

Satyrus alope. Albino . 214

Satyrus nephele . 215

Satyrus nephele. Under side . 216

Neonympha canthus. Male . 217

Neonymplia canthus. Male . 218

Neonympha canthus. Male. Under side . 218

Neonympha canthus. Female ........... 219

Neonympha canthus. Female. Under side ........ 219

Neonympha gemma. Upper and under side . 220

Neonympha sosybius. Upper and under side . 220

Debis portlandia . 221

Debis portlandia. Under side . 221

Papliia troglodyta. Male . 225

Paphia troglodyta. Female . 226

Larva of Apatura . 227

Apatura clyton. Male . 228

Apatura clyton. Female ....... ..... 229

Apatura clyton. Male. Under side . 229

Apatura clyton. Dimorphic form . 230

Chrysalis of Apatura clyton . 230

Apatura celtis. Male ............. 231

Apatura celtis. Male. Under side . 232

Apatura flora . . . . . . • • . 233

Apatura alicia . 233

Limenitis Ursula. Male ............ 234

Limenitis Ursula. Female . 235

LIST OF TEXT ILLUSTRATIONS. ix

Page

Limenitis. Hybrid. Male . 236

Limenitis. Hybrid. Male. Under side . 236

Limenitis. Hybrid. Female . . . . 237

Larva of Limenitis Ursula . 237

Chrysalis of Limenitis Ursula . . . . 238

Chrysalis of Limenitis arthemis . 238

Limenitis arthemis. Male . 238

Limenitis arthemis. Female . 239

Limenitis disippus. Male . 240

Limenitis disippus. Female . 241

Limenitis eros . . . 242

Victorina steneles. Upper and under side . 243

Ageronia ferona . . 245

Ageronia ferona. Under side . 246

Ageronia fornax. Upper and under side . 247

Hypolimnas misippus. Male . 249

Hypolinmas misippus. Male. Under side . 250

Hypolimnas misippus. Female . 250

Hypolimnas misippus. Female. Under side . 251

Timetes petreus . 252

Timetes petreus. Under side . 253

Timetes coresia. Male . 254

Timetes chiron . 255

Timetes chiron. Under side . 255

Callicore clymena . 256

• Callicore clymena. Under side . 257

Eunica monima. .............. 258

Eunica monima. Under side . 258

Eurema lethe . 259

Eurema lethe. Under side . 260

Anartia jatrophse. Male . 261

Anartia jatrophse. Female . . . 261

Anartia jatrophse. Underside . 262

Junonia genoveva. Male . , . 263

Junonia genoveva. Male. Under side y . 263

Junonia genoveva. Female . 264

Chrysalis of Pyrameis . 265

Pyrameis huntera . 268

Pyrameis huntera. Under side . 268

Chrysalis of Vanessa . 270

Grapta interrogationis . 271

Grapta interrogationis . 272

Grapta interrogationis. Under side . 273

Grapta comma . 274

Grapta comma. Under side . 274

Grapta comma . 275

Grapta comma. Under side . 275

Grapta comma. Under side . 276

Grapta faunus . 277

Grapta faunus. Under side . 277

X LIST OF TEXT ILLUSTRATIONS.

Page

Grapta progne . . 278

Grapta progne. Under side . 278

Grapta j-album . 279

Grapta j-album. Under side . 279

Grapta j-album. Under side . 280

Grapta gracilis . 281

Grapta gracilis. Under side . 281

Melitsea phaeton . 283

Melitaea phaeton . 283

Argynnis idalia. Male and female . 285

Argynnis idalia. Under side . 287

Argynnis diana. Male. Upper and under side . 289

Argynnis diana. Female . 291

Argynnis cybele. Male . 292

Argynnis cybele. Female . 293

Colsenis julia. Upper and under side .......... 297

Colasnis delila .............. 299

Larva of Danais archippus . . 300

Chrysalis of Danais archippus ........... 300

Danais berenice. Upper and under side . 303

Danais stigosa . 305

Eumenia atala . 300

Eumenia atala. Under side . 307

Colias pliilodice. Male . 309

Colias philodice. Female . 309

Colias philodice. Female. Albino . 310

Colias eurytheme. Male ............ 310

Colias eurytheme. Female . . . 311

Meganostoma csesonia . 311

Meganostoma CEesonia. Under side .......... 312

Gonepteryx clorinde. Upper and under side ........ 313

Gonepteryx maerula . . 315

Callidryas eubule. Male . 316

Callidryas eubule. Female . 317

Chrysalis of Callidryas eubule . • 317

Callidryas philea . 318

Callidryas cipris. Upper and under side . 319

Callidryas philea. Under side . 321

Callidryas argante . 322

Callidryas argante. Under side . 322

Pieris oleracea . 324

Pieris oleracea. Under side . 324

Pieris protodice. Male . 325

Pieris protodice. Male. Under side . 325

Pieris protodice. Female . 326

Terias nicippe. Male . 326

Terias nicippe. Male. Under side . 327

Terias nicippe. Female . 327

Terias nicippe. Female. Under side . 328

Terias jucunda . ... 328

Terias proterpia . 329

LIST OF TEXT ILLUSTRATIONS.

Page

Anthocharis olympia . 330

Antliocliaris olympia. Under side . 330

Anthocharis genutia ............. 331

Anthocharis genutia. Under side . . 331

Anthocharis genutia. Female . . . ■ . 332

Parnassus clodius . 332

Metamorphosis of Papilio . . 334

Papilio glaucus . 336

Papilio glaucus. Under side . 337

Papilio rutulus . 338

Papilio daunus . 339

Papilio ajax. Early spring form . 340

Papilio ajax. Late Spring and Summer forms . 341

Chrysalis of Papilio ajax . 343

Larva and chrysalis of Papilio cresphontes ......... 344

Papilio tlioas . 345

Papilio tlioas. Under side . 346

Papilio asterias. Male . . 348

Papilio asterias. Female . 349

Papilio zolieaon . 350

Larva of Papilio troilus ............ 351

Chrysalis of Papilio troilus . 351

Papilio palamedes . 353

Papilio palamedes. Under side . 354

Larva and chrysalis of Papilio philenor ......... 355

Papilio polydamas .............. 355

Papilio polydamas. Under side . 356

... - - -

LIST OF COLORED PLATES

TRANSFERS FROM LIFE.

Pyrameis CARDUI .
Eudamus TITYRUS .
Chrysophanus hypoplasas
Chrysophanus epixanthe
Libytha:a bachmanni .
Satyrus alope
Neonympha eurythris
Neonympha canthus
Paphia troglodyta

LlMENITIS URSULA .

Limenitis disippus

JUNONIA CCENIA

Pyrameis atalanta
Pyrameis hunter a
Vanessa antiopa .
Vanessa milberti .
Grapta interrogationis
Grapta j-album .
Phyciodes tharos .
Argynnis idalia .
Argynnis cybele .
Argynnis aphrodite
Argynnis Atlanta
Argynnis myrina .
Argynnis bellona

EUPTOIETA CLAUDIA

FACING PAGE

Frontispiece

174 •
186 •
192-
208
212 *
216
218'
226 *

286 *
240 *
262 •
264 '
268 *
270 •
270 *
272 -
280
282 '
288 '
292 •
294 *
294 <
294
294"
296 '

xiv LIST OF COLORED PLATES.

Page

Agraulis vanilla: . 296

COLJENIS JULIA . 298 *

Danais archippus . 300

Heliconia charitonia . 306 -

COLIAS PHILODICE . 308 ‘

C/OLIAS EURYTHEME . 310

Meganostoma ca:sonia . 312 *

Gonepteryx ma:rula . 314 *

Gonepteryx clorinde . 314-

Callidryas eubele . 316 •

Callidryas agarithe . 322 *

PlERIS RAPA . 324 -

Terias lisa . 326

Terias nicippe . 328 •

Papilio turnus . 336 *

Papilio ajax . 342 ■

Papilio cresphontes . 344 -

Papilio asterias . 348 *

Papilio troilus . 352 •

Papilio philenor . 354 »

CONTENTS.

Rhopalocera. The Butterflies
Hesperidas
Lycasnidas
Satyridas
Nymphalida3
Papilionidas

page

. 164

. 165

. 177

. 210
. 223

. 308

EHOPALOCERA

THE BUTTERFLIES

164

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

SUB-ORDER RHOPALOCERA. The Butterflies.

The hard and fast lines fixed by naturalists do not really exist in
Nature. As daylight blends into darkness and night again into day,
or as the colors of the rainbow softly shade into one another, the
violet into the blue, and the blue into the green, etc., so the different
groups of insects pass by almost insensible gradations one into
another.

The most noticeable difference between the moths and butterflies
is in the shape of the antennae, being nearly always pointed in
the former, and blunt or knobbed at the ends in the latter. This,
however, is by no means a sure guide, as many of the Sphingkke
have club-shaped antennae, while the lowest group of the butterflies,
the Hesperidce , are furnished with antennae having hooked extremities
with acutely pointed ends.

None of the butterflies have the wings joined with the loop and
bristle usually found among the moths. The butterflies are all day-
flyers, thus differing in their habits in a marked degree from the
majority of the moths.

The surface of the eggs of butterflies is often ornamented, while
the eggs of most of the moths are plain and smooth. The larvae of
all butterflies, with the exception of a few of the lower species, are
external feeders, and, unlike the moths, except among the Hesper-
idce , they spin no cocoons, the naked chrysalis being usually suspended
from a silken mat by the posterior extremity and either with or with¬
out a band of silk about the middle of the body.

These chrysalides are of various shapes, some angular, others
bearing spines and horns, while many of them are objects of extreme
beauty ; as handsome as jewels and looking exactly as if embossed
with gold. The chrysalis stage usually lasts about twenty days,
although in a number of species the winter is passed in this stage.

The butterflies, while at rest, usually hold the wings upright,
back to back, while the same organs in the moths are generally
folded roof-shape over the abdomen, or expanded flat upon the sup¬
port of the insect. In coloring, the butterflies are generally much
more striking than the moths, their wings being ornamented in many

HESPEItIDiE.

165

species with bold dashes of color, lacking that soft blending so char¬
acteristic of most of the moths.

The butterflies, too, though strong and rapid of flight many of
them, have much smaller bodies generally in proportion to the size
of the wings than the moths. The eyes are usually well developed,
and the tongue is sufficiently long to enable the insect to extract the
sweets from flowers, or sip moisture from the ground. The legs of
butterflies are usually well developed, except in the Nymphalidce ,
where the first pair are nearly aborted.

HESPERIDCE.

Skippers.

The most moth-like of all butterflies are the Hesperidce , a group
containing a host of small, plain-colored insects, usually very abun¬
dant in our fields and meadows.

These insects are stout-bodied creatures with large heads, promi¬
nent eyes and hooked or pointed antennae, suggesting those of the
Sphinx moths, placed wide apart at their base. The palpi are
thick and hairy, making them look blunt and clumsy. The lower
wings, while the insects are at rest, are often spread horizontally,
while the forward pair are raised nearly vertically above the back.
In coloring, they are usually very plain, black, brown and tawny-
yellow predominating in our native insects. A few of the tropical
species, however, are gayly colored. Some of the species bear tails
similar to those on the lower wings of the Papilios. The flight of
these insects is rapid, but generally continued but for short distances
at a time. The jerking manner of their movements, with their rest¬
less darting from place to place, has earned for the group the com¬
mon name of skippers. They are lovers of flowers, and the fields of
clover, the blossoms of milkweed, elder and various lowland shrubs
and plants usually swarm with them.

The larva of the Hesperidce is cylindrical in the middle, tapering
toward both ends. It has a large head placed on a narrow neck,
which gives it a most peculiar appearance. It is smooth, naked, or
at the most, downy and usually of dull and sombre tints. It is
solitary in its habits, and is largely a night feeder, inhabiting by day
a neatly constructed nest made of silken threads inside a curled leaf.
When not feeding, the larva retreats into this nest, and its large,
hard head acts as an operculum, completely filling the entrance and

166

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

keeping out its enemies, reminding one in this respect of the larva of
some species of caddis flies. The chrysalis is smooth, shaped like

Larva of Tlesperidte. (Budamus tityrus.)

that of a moth, and is powdered with a bluish dust. It is suspended
by the tail within its thin silken cocoon, and has a thin band of silk
passing around the body after the manner of the Papilionidce.

At the beginning of the skippers, as they are often termed, is
a genus of large, powerful insects which inhabit the southern states,
New Mexico and Arizona, known to entomologists by the name
Megathymidce, or giant skippers. In this genus the head is not so
large in proportion to the rest of the body as in most of the members
of this family, but the body is very stout and well supplied with
muscles to work the stiff and proportionately short wings, making
these insects very strong on the wing. The antenna;, though fur¬
nished with a long curved knob, are not pointed nor recurved into a
hook as in most of the Hesperidce. These insects fly very rapidly,
but seem as if undecided where to go, and dart first to one side and
then the other, suddenly alighting, and seldom remaining more than
an instant in a place. All four wings are folded vertically over the
back when the insect is at rest, differing in this habit in an important
degree from the majority of the skippers.

The best known of this genus is Megathymus yuccae , so called
from the larva passing the most of its existence in the stem and root
of the yucca or Spanish bayonet. The butterfly is dark umber-brown,
the base and the margin of the wings being tinged with yellow. The
light markings on the outer third of the upper wings are yellow.
All four wings are more or less hairy next the body. The under side
is much like the upper, the yellow spots being repeated beneath, but
paler, while there are gray scales toward the outer portion of both
sets of wings. The female is a good deal larger than her mate,
measuring three inches in expanse of wing, the male being but two
and one-half inches across the outstretched wings. The coloring is
much the same in both sexes. I have never seen the larva or chrys¬
alis of this insect, and know nothing of its early life-history,
taking the following interesting descriptions, with its habits, from

HESPERIDiE.

167

a quotation by Prof. G. H. French from Prof. C. V. Riley. The
larva lives inside the stem and root of the yucca. The eggs, which
are pale green, are deposited singly on the leaves, and when hatched
the caterpillar conceals itself in a web near the tip of the young leaf.
As it grows, it generally works to the base of the leaf, feeding as it
goes, entering the stem when it is about one-fourth grown. The
young larva is dark brick-red, with the head and top of the second
segment pitchy black. The full-grown larva is two and one-half
inches in length, and of a dull, translucent white covered with a
white, glistening, powdery secretion of a waxy nature.

The burrow made by this caterpillar often extends two feet or
more below the surface of the ground. Before pupating, the larva
makes a place of exit for the butterfly, lightly closing the cavity near
the end. It then makes a cell sufficiently farther down to give room
enough to pupate, and in this it undergoes its transformations. The
perfect fly emerges in April or May. There is but one brood in a
season. There are two other species of this genus found within the
borders of the United States, but their life in the caterpillar and
chrysalis state has not yet been worked out. They, doubtless, bore
in the stems and roots of sub-tropical plants. Central and South
America have representatives of this genus.

To the genus Thanaos QNisoniades') belong a number of Avidely
distributed, dull brown or black insects with broad, flat wings, having
a few small white dots and sometimes a row of dark purplish mark¬
ings on the upper wings.

These insects usually appear early in the spring, and are among
the first which a collector may take with the net. They are to be
found along roads or paths in wooded districts, or in open spaces
near woods. They delight to sport among low shrubs and bushes,
and fly quite rapidly, two or three chasing each other about from
bush to bush, often alighting and spreading their wings out flat,
holding themselves ready to immediately take wing. They are quite
pugnacious, and readily give chase to other insects that may pass
their way. Great care is necessary in separating the species, as many
of them resemble each other closely. Some are double-brooded, first
making their appearance in April and May, and again the latter part
of summer. Although so plain in coloring, these butterflies come at
a time when the more attractive and larger kinds have not come forth
to delight the collector. They are sufficiently numerous that one
may secure perfect specimens with no great difficulty, and the most

168

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

sombre butterfly has a beauty of its own when perfect and carefully
mounted. Then, too, the life-histories* of many of the kinds are still
unknown, and a field for investigation lies open to the student.

But two only of our more common species of this genus
will be desci'ibed here. Thanaos brizo is very common in the
eastern and middle states, being found as far west as the Rocky
Mountains, and on warm sunny days in early spring may be found
along roads and paths through the forests or the young growths of
oak. It often alights on the ground or on low herbage. This insect
is very sombre in coloring. The upper wings are dark blackish-
brown, with two indistinct and ill-defined rows of dark bluish-gray

Thanaos hrizo.

oval spots surrounded by black. The lower wings are brown, with
two faint rows of yellowish-brown spots near the lower margin.
Underneath, both wings have two rows of yellowish spots.

Thanaos persius.

Thanaos persius is a common insect and widely distributed over
the continent. The upper wings are bluish-gray, with three irregular

HESPEEIDiE.

169

rows of black triangular spots crossing them. The row of spots near
the outer margin is tipped externally with yellowish-brown, while
the other spots are outlined with gray. There are several clear white
spots distributed on the wings, as shown in the illustration. The lower
wings are brown with two rows of faint yellowish-brown spots near
their outer margins. The body is blackish-brown. The larva feeds
on willow and poplar.

Pholisora catullus.

A much smaller species related to the foregoing is Pholisora
catullus. In this insect the wings and body are black, or very dark
blackish-brown, and the wings are unadorned, save with a line of
small white spots near the apex of the fore wings. The head and
palpi also have a few small white dots. This little butterfly is dis¬
tributed over the whole United States.

In the genus Pamphila is assembled a large number of species
(over one hundred being inhabitants of the United States) of small,
stout -bodied butterflies, distributed over the whole continent, and
often very abundant in point of number. The antennae usually end
in a club with a pointed recurved tip. In coloring they are gener-
alty dark brown with spots or markings of yellow or yellowish-brown.
The sexes are generally separated without difficulty by the males
having a strongly marked oblique brown stripe on the forward wings.
These insects abound in the fields and meadows, being particularly
plentiful along flowing streams where the sweets of various kinds of
wild flowers tempt them to remain. In walking through the rank
grasses and weeds beside a brook or pond, one may find dozens of
them in June, July and August, and a large number of species may
be taken in such localities. A good many will be ruined in the net,
however, as they move their wings so rapidly when captured that
often only the torn fragments of them remain when taken out.
When disturbed they fly rapidly with a jerking motion, and again
alight after moving but a few feet. A good many of them fall a

170

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

prey to a yellowish-white spider, which hides among the blossoms
ever ready for its unsuspecting victims, and clutches the insect sud¬
denly in its powerful fore legs as it works intent upon extracting
honey. One may often procure fine specimens by robbing the
spiders, for they do not seem to injure the appearance of the insects.
The eggs of these insects are frequently pale green, of a high con¬
vex shape above and flattened beneath, the surface being often corru¬
gated or ribbed. The larvae of the Pamphila are of various subdued
colors, often being pale green and are sometimes slightly downy.
They feed upon grasses. The larvae of a great many species are
still unknown.

But a few of the more common species can be illustrated in this
work, as very careful descriptions and many illustrations Avould be
necessary to enable the beginner to separate the species of insects
often so closely resembling each other.

Pamphila delaware.

Pamphila delaware is common throughout the eastern half of the
country. The predominating color is brownish-yellow. The body is

Pamphila mystic.

dark brown, thickly covered with yellowish hairs. The fore wings
have a wide band of dark brown on the outer margin, with a brown-

HESPERIDJE.

171

isli shade next the body. The lower wings are Surrounded by a
heavy border of dark brown.

In Pamphila mystic , the body is dark brown, covered with
yellowish hairs. The wings are reddish or brownish-yellow, with
wide margins of dark brown. The dark brown markings extend
along the veins across the yellowish portion, throwing them into
relief. This butterfly inhabits the northeastern part of the United
States.

Pamphila leonardus.

Pamphila leonardus inhabits the eastern part of the country, both
north and south. It is a strongly marked insect, and is more easily
distinguished than many of the other species which are frequently
exceedingly difficult to separate. The predominating color is dark
brown, with a number of clearly cut yellowish spots, their shape and
distribution being clearly shown in the figure. The under side is
reddish-brown, and much lighter than the upper side. The yellow
spots show on both sides of the wings.

Pampliila peckius.

A very common insect belonging to this genus, and found
throughout the eastern half of the continent, is Pampliila peckius.
The coloring is brown, with a yellowish cast, and a number of dull
yellow spots and markings adorn both sets of wings. In the male

172

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

insect the oblique markings on the forward wings are black, and very
strongly defined. June and July are the months for the appearance
of this butterfly.

The largest species of the genus found in this country, Pamphila
ethlius, is two inches in expanse, and blackish-brown in color, with
numerous square and diamond shaped translucent whitish spots. It
is said to he common in the southern states, particularly along the
Gulf, and occasionally strays even as far north as New York. I am
not fortunate enough to possess a specimen of this insect.

A number of skippers having antennae with spindle-shaped ends,
and the ground-color of the wings brown, checkered with white
spots, belong to the genus Pyrgus.

Most of the species belong to the western fauna. They are easily
recognized, being quite different in general appearance from the rest of
our native skippers.

Pyrgus tessellata.

In the hot summer Pyrgus tessellata is a common insect through¬
out the middle west and south. I have collected specimens in Iowa
and Arkansas, but in my experience it is rare in New England,
although occasionally taken. This butterfly loves to flit about the
grass and weeds in fields and meadows, and is particularly partial to
the cleared land along rivers and small streams. It is a rapid flyer
for so small an insect and is rather shy. Its colors usually harmo¬
nize in a surprising manner with the surrounding dry and dusty
vegetation, for it is in July and August that it is most abundant,
when through the lack of rain everything in the fields is an uninter¬
esting grayish-brown. It frequently alights on the ground, and with
its wings half-spread is not a conspicuous object. The ground-color
of its wings is dark brown, the lower half of the upper wings and
the inner half of the lower pair being streaked with gray hairs. A
number of large and small white spots are scattered over both sets of

HESPERID^E.

173

wings, arranged as shown in the illustration. The body is slate-
brown, thinly covered with gray hairs. The under side of the wings
is much lighter than the upper being light yellowish-brown in
irregular bars on a white ground.

There is, perhaps, greater variety both in regard to shape and col¬
oring to be found among the different species of the genus Eudamus
than in any of the other genera of the family. Many of our native
species are comparatively large, measuring from one and one-half to
two or more inches across the expanded wings. In this genera the
antennae are bent into an acutely pointed hook. One of the largest,

Eudamus proteus.

and also one of the most attractive, of our native species is Eudamus
proteus. This insect is two inches or more in expanse, the lower pair
of wings being prolonged into tails somewhat resembling the
Papilios. The upper wings are dark brown, with a number of light
yellowish, translucent spots arranged in two vague rows on the outer
half of the wing.

The lower wings are also brown, covered on the inner half next
the body with metallic-green hairs which, when the insect is alive
and moving about in the sunshine, flash brilliant green. The outer
edges of both sets of wings are fringed with yellowish-brown, inter¬
rupted with black dots. The body is dark brown, clothed with green
hairs. The under side of the insect is brown, mottled with darker
brown. The yellowish spots are seen from below, but are less sharply

174

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

defined. This butterfly inhabits the southern states, and is some¬
times seen as far north as New York. It is a common insect in
Florida, the larva feeding on various garden plants, such as beans,
peas, cabbages, etc., and often doing considerable damage.

We may often find on the locust trees the nests of the larvse of
our beautiful Eudamus tityrus. These caterpillars, although often
quite common, are solitary in their habits, each one making its sep¬
arate cell in which it resides during the daytime, coming forth to
feed at night. The caterpillar is light green, banded across with
lines of darker green, having a reddish-brown head, with two large
yellow spots placed where one would expect the eyes to be. These,
with the monstrous size of the head, give the creature a very peculiar
appearance. When full grown, the caterpillar spins a thin, silken
cocoon, usually in a curled leaf, and attaching itself b}^ the tail, with
a thread of silk about its body, undergoes its transformations. The
butterfly comes forth in June and July, and is to be found about
flowering shrubs and weeds in open country, being seldom seen in
forests. Along brooks or the borders of ponds are favorite haunts of
this butterflj7. It is a rapid flyer, and is somewhat shy, although one
may approach it closely if care be taken. I have in mind one locality
near Lebanon, Ohio, where along the banks of a brook this insect was
very abundant, every bunch of flowering weeds having its occupants,
the bright, silvery spot on the under side of the lower wings glisten¬
ing as they moved about in the sunlight. This butterfly has a very
wide range, being found over nearly all portions of the United States.

Eudamus lycidas. Upper side.

Another insect, closely resembling the preceding both in size and
the coloring of the upper surface, is Eudamus lycidas. It is a little

f T T

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

Upper Side

Under Side

EUDAMUS TITYRUS

HESPEEIDiE.

175

smaller than JEudamus tityrus. The general color: is dark brown,
with a number of angular, translucent, yellowish spots on the fore
wings. The fringe along the outer edge of the fore wings is yellow¬
ish-brown, interrupted with black dots, that of the lower wings being
gray with black points. The body is brown. The lower side of the

Eudamus lycidas. Under side.

butterfly is in strong contrast with the upper. The upper wings are
mottled brown, lighter toward their lower margin, with a large black
patch occupying the upper part of the wing next the body. A large,
single yellow spot takes the place of the yellow spots seen from the
upper side. The lower wings have a large black area, bordered

Eudamns pylades.

above and below with brown, and enclosing two or three brown spots.
This occupies the upper half of the wing next the body. A patch of
brown, fringed with black, occurs at the lower angle, the rest of the
wing being white, streaked with fine brown markings, thickest
toward the upper part. The brown of the lower wings is streaked

176

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

with darker brown. The body below is almost black, and the palpi
are gray. The habits of this insect are very like those of Eudamus
tityrus , but according to my experience, it is a much rarer butterfly.
I have never seen it abundant, although 1 have specimens from
Massachusetts, Washington, D. C., and Arkansas.

Eudamus pylades is a sooty brown butterfly, with a number of
small angular light spots distributed over the outer half of the
forward wing. The body is darker brown than the wings. The
larva feeds on clover, and the perfect insect comes forth in June. It
is an inhabitant of all but the most northern part of the United
States.

Eudamus bathylus.

Eudamus bathylus is a very similar insect in color and shape to
the preceding, except that the yellow spots on the fore wings are
much larger and more distinct. It is more southern in its range of
territory. I have specimens from Virginia and Arkansas.

Ancyloxyplia numitor.

A little species, belonging to this same family, but differing
much in shape from those already described, is Ancyloxyplia numitor.
In this butterfly the head is wide and large, proportionally, but the

HESPERIDiE.

177

thorax tapers backward, and the abdomen is thin aitd long, contrast¬
ing greatly with most of the skippers. The antennae are knobbed
but not pointed. The upper wings are yellowish-brown with a wide
black margin. The lower wings are lighter or tan color with a
heavy black border extending along the upper margin around to the
inner angle and are fringed with yellow. This is a very common
butterfly in August over the eastern half of the United States. It
is fond of open fields, and the second crop of clover is a favorite
with it.

L YC JEN IBM.

Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks.

A large number of frail but lovely little creatures comprise the
great family Lyccenidce. Most of the species belonging to this family
are small, our largest being about two inches in expanse of wing.
The antennse are knobbed or clubbed, but not pointed as in the
family of Hesperidoe , and the knob is straight. The wings are fre¬
quently delicate in structure and are large and flat in proportion to
the body, which is slender. The thorax in a few species is robust
but is generally slight. All six legs are well developed and are used
in walking. The family is a very large one and insects belonging to
it are to be found in almost every land. The beauty of some of the
species is most extraordinary, comprising almost every conceivable
color and shade. Many of them are metallic blue, while others are
green, purple, red or golden, and some a combination of these. A
number bear on the lower wings curiously shaped tails. Were these
slight butterflies of large size some of them would rival the gorgeous
Morplios and the regal Papilios and Ornithopteras. They are to my
mind among the handsomest objects in nature. Some of them haunt
open grassy fields and meadows, others delight in low shrubbery on
the outskirts of forests, and still others prefer the woods and will
often congregate in numbers in sunny open spaces among the trees.
The flight of some, especially the more delicate, is slow and un¬
steady,* while others are swift flyers ; but their flight is not usually
long sustained. Their flight is generally low, and consequently they
are easily taken with the net. When they alight their wings are
most often closed tightly together over the back, and some have a
habit while at rest on a leaf or flower of working each of the lower
pair of wings alternately up and down. This habit, strange as it

178

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

may seem, has gone round the world, and when one is collecting
perhaps on the other side of the globe he will see species allied to
those so well known in his native land, as they alight on the tropical
foliage go through the same antics. One is apt to exclaim, u Dear
me ! where did that little butterfly learn that trick ? ” A fact like
this is very likely to set one wondering how such a habit is trans¬
mitted and also why it should be so persistent in travelling so far.

The larvae of these butterflies are interesting from the fact that
they are slug-like in their form and movements, their abdominal legs

Larva of Lycsena.

being so short that they cling very closely to their support and glide
rather than crawl. In this respect they resemble the larvae of
Limacodes among the Bornbyx moths. They also somewhat resemble
wood-lice, the head being small and capable of being retracted be¬
neath the folds of the first thoracic segments. The body is not
adorned with tubercles and filaments as in most of the larvae of
Limacodes. Some of the species are said by Professor Comstock to
possess honey tubes through which honey dew is extracted for the
use of ants. Many of the caterpillars are green in color and feed on
the leaves of forest trees, oak being a favorite food plant. One of
our native species is carniverous in the caterpillar stage and feeds on
plant-lice. A few of the larvae are downy, but they are usually
naked. The chrysalis is short, broad and thick and is convex on the
back, rounded at both ends and flat beneath. It is attached by the
tail to a silken mat and has a band of silk about the middle, holding
it closely to the substance to which it is fastened. The Lyccenidce
may be readily separated into three groups, the “ Blues,” includ¬
ing many blue, purplish and bluish-brown insects ; the “ Coppers,”
in which many of the species are copper-red or brownish-red ;
and the “ Hairstreaks,” wherein a large number bear tails and are
of various colors, often ornamented with fine streaks of color beneath.
The United States are rich in insects belonging to this family, the
mountain regions of the Pacific coast being particularly so ; while
some of the most beautiful inhabit the valleys and table-lands of
Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico.

LYCiENIDiE.

179

LYCASNA. Blues.

The “ blues,” or the genus Lyccena , is well represented in this
country, but the bulk of the species inhabit the Pacific coast where a
large number of the finest insects of this genus are to be found. These
butterflies are frail, delicate creatures, the body being weak, the wings
large and wide in proportion. The coloring of the upper side of
the wings in most species is satiny blue, others being bluish-purple
and purple-brown. The under side is generally light gray with more
or less distinct brown or blackish markings. There are about fifty
species of these butterflies inhabiting the United States, but only a
few of them occur east of the Pocky Mountains. To one who has
collected in New England or the western states the number of
species and individuals of this group to be seen in the mountain
valleys of Nevada and California is something long to be remembered
with delight. They are most abundant in the spring and early
summer, when the valleys are bright with wild flowers and before
the long and severe summer drouth has turned the fertile land into
a brown and barren desert. Near Washoe, Nevada, at the eastern
base of the Sierra Nevada, my brother one season made an extensive
collection of species of this genus and the Chrysophanus and Theda.
They are very plentiful in the Yosemite valley in June, and at that
time the wild flowers are peopled with them. We have but two
common species of this genus in the east, although two or three
others occur rarely in the middle states and several in Florida.

Lycaina pseudargiolus is our best-known species, as it is every¬
where abundant in early spring, and is 'On the wing soon after the
snow disappears from the woods. This insect has many well-marked
varieties, some eight or ten of which have been described and named,
entomologists supposing them to be distinct species. A remarkable
thing about these varieties lies in the fact that they are frequently
local, having boundaries as distinct as well-marked species, and while
the insect in general inhabits a large part the United States and
Canada, extending also up into Alaska, certain varieties are often
much more restricted. Another curious fact connected with this
and several other kinds of butterflies is that the insects emerging1
from chrysalides which have hibernated over winter are different from
their parents, which were the summer brood of the year before. With¬
out going too much into details two or three of the well-marked
varieties will be given with descriptions. ]

180

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

Iii tlie early spring form, probably most numerous throughout the
country, the upper side of the male (Fig. 1) is a rich satiny or azure

Lycasna pseud argiolus.
Fig. 1. Male.

blue, deepest near the base of all four wings. The upper wings are
margined outwardly with a narrow shading of blackish, widest and
heaviest at the apex of the wing. The lower wings are edged on
their outer margin with a narrow, dark line. Both pairs of wings
are fringed with gray, darker toward the apex of the upper wings,
and interrupted on both wings with black dots. The body is
black. Insects with these colors above have at least three varieties

Lycsena pseudargiolus. Under side.
Fig. 2. Male.

where the colors beneath differ. Fig. 2 is light gray beneath, having
a row of light brown dots along the outer margin of all four wings
enclosed on the inner side with a scalloped line of the same color.
An irregular row of dark brown spots cross the upper wings near
their outer margin, the remainder being plain gray, slightly darker
along the upper margin. A number of black spots are scattered over
the lower wings. The thorax is light gray, the abdomen nearly
white. In Fig. 3 the under side is bluish-gray, darker than Fig. 2.

LYCiENIDiE.

181

The spots on the outer margin of the wings are very faint, fading out
on the upper wings, and outside the scalloped line is a band of brown-

Uycsena pseudargiolus. Under side.
Fig. 3. Male.

ish-gray lighter toward the apex of the upper wings. The row of
spots on the upper and the scattered spots on the lower wings are
not so sharply defined, but are larger than in Fig. 2. The thorax

Lycsena pseudargiolus. Under side.
Fig. 4. Male.

is darker gray and the abdomen is white. Fig. 4 is still stronger
marked ; the gray is a little darker than in Fig. 3. Outside the
scalloped line along the outer margin of the wings is a wide band
of brown enclosing black spots on the lower wings. The row of
spots on the upper wings are heavy and make a continuous line.
On the lower wings the scattered spots have widened until they
have coalesced, making a large patch of brown on the middle of the
wing. The thorax is dark gray, the abdomen white. The typical
female form is shown in Fig. 5. The wings are satiny blue, some¬
what darker than in the male. Along the outer margin and extend¬
ing half-way along the upper edge of the upper wing is a wide band
of black, strongest at the apex. The upper edge next the body is

182

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

light gray. The lower wings are fringed with white interrupted
with black spots. Along the outer margin is a row of small black

Lyctena pseudargiolus.
Fig. 5. Female.

spots. The thorax is black, the abdomen dark gray. The under side
of the female is shown in Fig. 6. The wings are gray, darkest

Lycsena pseudargiolus. Under side.
Fig. 6. Female.

next the body. Heavy blackish spots adorn the wings and a wide
border of blackish-brown scalloped on the inside follows the outer
margins. The specimens described and figured were all taken early
in the season near my home.

A specimen from Haverhill, Massachusetts, is somewhat larger
than those first described. It is like the ordinary variety above ex¬
cept that the lower wings have a large very light area in the middle.
Beneath, it is very light gray with small distinct lines and spots. A
variety sent me from near Toronto, Out., is large and beautiful. In
the male insect (Fig. 7) the upper side of the wings is rich shining
purple with a narrow line of black edging the outer margin of all
four wings. Outside of this is an uninterrupted white fringe. The
body is bluish-gray. The under side (Fig. 8) is a much darker gray

LYCZENID/TC.

183

than those already described. There is a row of shining bine spots
along the outer margin of the lower wings, and above these a band of

Lycsena pseudargiolus.
Fig. 7. Male.

ochre edged internally with a line of black crescents. The other
spots on the wing are black, except a double row along the outer

Lycsena pseudargiolus. Under side.
Fig. 8. Male.

margin of the fore wings which are dark gray. These spots are all
edged with light gray. The female of this variety (Fig. 9) is very

Lycsena pseudargiolus.
Fig. 9. Female.

different from those already mentioned, being dark brown with a
purplish area on the lower half of the upper wings, the same purple

184

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

extending in a band, widening as it crosses the lower wing from the
base to the lower margin, where it occupies nearly the whole width
of the wing. A row of black spots extends along the lower margin
of the lower wings, partly enclosed on their inner sides with orange-
colored half-moon spots, which fade out as they approach the upper
margin. A narrow black line extends along the outer margin of the
upper wings and is continued along the lower margin of the lower
pair. Both sets of wings are fringed with gray scales. The body is
black.

These little butterflies are slow flyers, keeping not far above the
ground, and are usually most abundant on the outskirts of woods.
They love to congregate about damp places on the ground to sip the
moisture. With care one may approach closely and even take them
by hand. The coloring of the male when freshly hatched is very
pleasing and is almost the exact tint of the horseshoe violet which
blooms at the time when this butterfly is most numerous, the flowers
and insects being often found near one another. There are two or
more broods of these butterflies in a season. The larva is usually
light green with brown markings, but pinkish or chocolate-brown
specimens sometimes occur. It feeds on the buds and flowers of
several plants, dogwood and rattle-weed being favorites. The chrys¬
alis is brown with two rows of brown dots down the back of the
abdomen.

Lycseua comyntas. Male.

One other common species of this genus is Lyccena comyvitas.
The male is dark violet, the upper wings with a narrow band of
blackish-brown along their outer margin, the upper and lower margin
of the lower wings being the same color. The lower wing has a
black thread-like tail with a white tip. This will readily distinguish
it from the preceding tailless species regardless of the varieties it may
assume. Along the lower margin of the lower wing is a row of black

LYC-ZEjSTIDj®.

185

spots, the largest one just above the base of the tail having an orange
crescent above it. These black spots are outlined on the outer side
with a faint white line. The thorax is bluish-black, the abdomen

Lycsena comyntas. Under side.

brown. I he under side which is similar in both sexes, is very light
gray. A number of dark gray dots are arranged in rows on the outer
third of the upper wings, and a row extends along the lower margin
of the lower wings, the two nearest the lower angle being partly
enclosed with orange crescents. Other spots of gray are scattered over
the wings, and most of them on both wings are outlined with white.
The legs and thorax are light gray and the abdomen white. The

female of this species is blackish-brown with purple reflections in a
strong light. A faint white line extends along the lower margin of
the lower wings and two distinct black spots are located above near
the base of the tail. The spots are partly surrounded above with two
crescents. The body is black.

This tiny butterfly makes its appearance in the latter part of July
and the first of August, and is usually to be met with in abundance
about forest clearings or bushy pastures. It is a weak little creature,
seldom flying more than a few feet at a time. It is very fond of the

186

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

flowers which bloom at the time of year it makes its appearance, and
is often so interested in its repast that it may be collected b}^ hand.
Mr. Harris saj^s that the caterpillars live on Lespedeza , and that they
are oval, convex and downy, of a pale green color with three dark
green lines, the sides of the body reddish and the head black. The
chrysalis, which is usually fastened to a leaf, is at first pale green,
but becomes darker afterwards. It is sparingly clothed with whitish
hairs and there are three rows of black dots on the back. The
chrysalis state lasts from nine to eleven days. This butterfly is found
in nearly all parts of the United States.

cheysophanus. Coppers.

The insects belonging to this genus can generally be separated
from the other members of the family by the copper-red, orange-red
or brownish-red colors of most of them. Conspicuous brown or
black spots usually adorn the wings, both upper and under side.
Our most numerous species of these little butterflies inhabit open
fields and meadows and are sometimes exceedingly abundant. Our
most common butterfly of this genus and probably the most com¬
mon butterfly to be found in New England and the middle states
during May and again in August is Chrpsophanus liypoplazas. It
is very partial to open fields where buttercups and sorrel abound,
and the blossoms are literally alive with this pretty little insect
during its greatest abundance. At evening they alight on the stems
of grasses and weeds with their wings tightly closed, and one may
go about after sunset or early in the morning and pick them off with
the fingers. During the cool morning while the grass is covered
with dew they remain quietly suspended from the stems and leaves
of plants and will not readily take wing. One advantage of this
mode of collecting is that one need take only perfect specimens, and
those taken if put at once into papers are not liable to be injured.
Two or three different varieties of this butterfly are to be found by
diligent search. In one the black spots of the forward wings are
almost or wholly wanting. This variety has been taken in some
numbers about Cambridge, Massachusetts. In contrast with this is a
dark variety, where the black spots of the upper wings are very much
widened and elongated beyond the normal, covering a good part
of their surface.

These varieties are not numerous, but one may find them by col¬
lecting large numbers of specimens. In five hundred specimens of

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

Upper Side

Under Side

CHRYSOPHANUS HYPOPHLEAS

LYCLENIDiE.

187

this species collected in Wellesley, Massachusetts, during May of 1897,
I took no very striking varieties of any kind, but in the same year
during August I collected five hundred more, with the result of ob¬
taining half-a-dozen well-marked specimens of the dark variety, but
not one of the light. Whether this is a sufficient number to give
an idea of the percentage of such variations I cannot say, but one
would infer from this that the second brood is much more liable to

variation than the first, and that the light variety with almost no
spots is of much rarer occurrence than the dark variety. In some of
the dark variety the black almost covers the entire wing, making the
insect look like a totally different species. The caterpillar of this
butterfly is longer and narrower than is usual witli the larva of
butterflies of this family, is covered with hairs, is reddish, pinkish or
greenish in color and feeds on the common sorrel. The chrysalis is
short and stumpy, like that of most of the species of the family.

Mr. Packard says of the chrysalis : “ The head and thorax, includ¬
ing the wings, is dull reddish-brown dotted with black. The abdo¬
men is much lighter with very distinct and irregular black dots.
The chrysalis is usually suspended under a stone.” There are two
or more broods in a season. The geographical range of the species
is wide, being found along the Atlantic coast southward, throughout
the middle states and through Canada, west into Washington and
in California. A very closely allied if not the same species occurs
throughout Europe.

Our largest and handsomest species of this genus is Chrysophanus
thoe , and an exceedingly fine butterfly it is, an ornament to any cab¬
inet. The insect expands from an inch and a half to two inches
or more, the female being usually somewhat larger than the male.

The upper wings of the male are a beautiful bronze-brown, having

188

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

a purplish or pinkish sheen overspreading them, strongest toward the
outer margin, with a brassy look nearest the body. Along the mar-

Chrysoplianus thoe. Male.

gin is a band of dark brown, and several spots adorn the middle of
the wing, varying in intensity from black to a very faint brown.
Two rows of faint brown spots cross the wing on its outer portion.
The lower wings are darker than the upper pair, the purple reflec¬
tions extending over the upper half only. The wings are scalloped
along their lower edges, the points and margin being black, while
between these black points is a white fringe. Above the black mar¬
gin and connected with it is a row of roundish black spots, the
one nearest the lower angle of the wing being double. Above this

Chrysoplianus thoe. Under side.

row of spots and partly enclosing them is a band of orange, widest
near the angle and narrowing to crescent spots at the top. A single
almost black line is placed above the centre of the wing. The body
is black, the antennse are black tipped with orange, and like many of
the species of this family, they are crossed by numerous fine white

LYCiENIDiE.

189

lines. The under side is much lighter than the upper. The upper
wings are light rust-red, still lighter toward the lower margin with
gray fringes and a light gray area at the apex extending half-way
down the outer margin. In this gray area are tine, nearly white
spots. Numerous black spots are scattered over the wing. The
lower wings are light gray, nearly white along their inner margin.
Along the outer margin is a black line hearing black points. A
wide orange band occupies the lower part of the wing and many
black spots outlined with white or very light gray look as if scat¬
tered at random over the wing. The body, legs and palpi are white.
The female differs from the male in having a large, dull orange spot
occupying the middle of the upper wing, which has a wide blackish-

Ulirysopliamis tlioe. Female.

brown margin, the rest of the wing being brown without the purple
reflections. The spots on the wings ,-,are large and black. The
lower wings and the under side of both wings much resemble those
of the male insect. Although I have never seen this butterfly at all
numerous in comparison with the preceding species, it is not rare in
the middle and western states. It is usually to be found on bushy
or weedy tracts, especially along rivers or railroad embankments.
It frequently alights on the low weeds which spring up on the sandy
bars covered by high water, and here it may be seen in July or
August days, resting with the wings half-spread or chasing other
insects about in the hot sunshine. It is not- very shy nor a swift
flyer, so that one may often take it with the net while on the wing.
When disturbed it flies but a short distance, and alighting closes its
wings, remaining motionless to escape observation. The larva feeds
on dock and there are two broods in a season, one usually in May

190

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

and the other in August. This insect ranges from New England,
where it is rare, through the middle and western states to the
Rocky Mountains.

The habitat of a certain insect is sometimes so restricted and its
favorite haunts so few and far between that one may dwell within no
great distance of it for a long time without knowing of its existence.
Many of the tiny creatures such as we are considering are shy and
retiring, shunning man and his habitations and never intruding them¬
selves upon his notice. A good many of the butterflies belonging to
this great family of Lyccenidce have to be carefully and diligently
searched for, and a collection containing a large number of our native
species carefully collected and neatly mounted represents a good deal
of painstaking labor both in the field and in one’s home. Our next
example, Chrysophanus epixanthe , is such a little creature, its colors
blend so readily with its surroundings and its habitat is so restricted
that it has been considered by some collectors a rare insect. It de¬
lights in low swampy districts where grasses, cranberry vines and
low bushes cover the ground, and in a swamp perhaps many acres in
extent, one part apparently like another, it may be confined to a few
square rods of grassy and bushy water-soaked land. Such a locality
I know not far from my home, where, early in July, one may go with

Eeniseca tarquinius.

the prospect of finding this little butterfly moderately abundant. It
is difficult to see when at rest on a grass stem as the color of the
under side of the wings, which are usually closed, is about the same
as that of the yellow, dried stems and leaves of the previous season’s
growth. The butterfly is not sh}r and its flight is slow and weak.
When disturbed it rises but a few inches above the grasses and flying
a few feet alights. When freshly hatched from the chrysalis the rich
irridescent brownish-purple of the upper side of the wings makes it a

LYCiENTDiE.

191

beautiful little creature. I have never found well-marked varieties
of tliis species such as occur in Chrysophanus hypophlceas. This
butterfly is found throughout New England and the western states.

A remarkably interesting though usually rare butterfly is Feniseca
tarquinius. The upper wings are heavily bordered with black with a
wide, irregular orange patch containing two black spots occupying
their central portion. The upper half of the lower wings is black, the
lower half orange with a row of irregular black spots along the lower
margin. The body is blackish-brown. The under side is very differ-

Feniseca tarquinius. Under side.

ent in coloring. The upper wings above their upper and outer mar¬
gins have a wide band of light rusty-brown. The lower margin of
the wings is gray, while the interior portion is light orange. Four
angular dark reddish-brown spots, very small next the body and
growing larger toward the apex of the wing, are placed along the
upper margin. Two black spots and a line running toward the base
of the wing occur farther down. Tire lower wings are reddish-
brown, lighter toward the lower margin, and almost the whole surface
is covered with reddish-brown spots edged with gray. The markings
vary somewhat in different specimens, sometimes the black and again
the orange predominating. The body and legs are light gray.
Although this insect inhabits almost the whole country east of the
Rocky Mountains I have never seen it abundant. I once took a
dozen or fifteen specimens early in June along the road leading
from Jackson, New Hampshire, to Mount Washington. They were
at rest near puddles of water in the road, and one or two were set¬
tled on horse dung. I found them exceedingly shy and very rapid
on the wing. Their colors are such that unless one kept his eye con¬
stantly on the alert he would scarcely see one at all, much less catch
one in a net while on the wing. When disturbed they would fly into

192

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES .

the woods high up among the branches of the trees and would soon
be lost to view. I found by walking very slowly over the road and
carefully scanning every wet place and every heap of dung, I could
see these shy, alert creatures before they became frightened and took
wing, and in this way procured a good number. Sometimes while I
was approaching stealthily what looked like a tiny line of brown on
the road a butterfly of some other kind would sail past and away
would go my intended prize after the new comer, chasing him per¬
haps several rods down the road. I found if I remained standing
quietly by he was very likely to return soon. The place where these
butterflies were to be seen did not occupy over a quarter of a mile of
the road, and I found them in the same place when returning from
the mountain a week later. The most interesting thing in connec¬
tion with this butterfly is that the larva is carniverous (a very
unusual thing among the Lepidoptera') and feeds on the colonies
of woolly plant-lice inhabiting the alder. The larva, according to
French, is green with three white stripes down the back. Besides
the specimens mentioned taken in New Hampshire, I have one from
Wellesley, Massachusetts, and two from Gainesville, Virginia.

THECLA. Hairstreaks.

The large genus Theda , the “ Hairstreaks,” next engages our
attention and in the eastern half of our country is well represented.
While we have no members of this genus to equal in coloring some
of the resplendent creatures which inhabit the hot valleys of the
Andes or rival many from Mexico or Central America, still we have a
number that are both interesting and beautiful. Many of the species
of this genus have one or more delicate prolongations or tails to the
lower wings. These in some of the tropical insects of this group are
long and curved and add much to the beauty and oddity of the speci¬
mens. The males usually have a dark oval patch of color near the
upper margin of the upper wings. This is generally quite distinct
and easily seen. Most of our native species are of different shades of
brown with fine lines and markings beneath and with bright patches
of color, strongest on the under side near the inner angle of the
lower wings. In some species the thorax is strong and stout, furnish¬
ing powerful muscles to work the usually short wings. Many of
these insects are swift flyers although they do not generally make
long flights. They are usually most abundant on the edges of forests,

■

5: V #* U'-'’

■

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

Upp'er Side

Under Side

GHRYSOPHANUS

EPIXANTHE

LYC^ENIDiE.

193

and the sweet-smelling flowers to be found in such localities are a
great attraction to them. About twenty species are native of the
eastern half of our country.

Thecla lialesus.

One of our most gorgeous insects belonging to this genus is
Thecla halesus , and when gazing on its rich and brilliantly colored
wings, one can hardly believe it is other than an inhabitant of tropi¬
cal countries.

It is rather stout-bodied. The upper wings of the male are
intense shining blue changing to purple or greenish according to the
light in which it is held, with a heavy black band extending along
the outer margin and for a short distance along the upper margin
near the tip of the wing. A large black sex mark is located just
below the middle of the upper edge of the wing. The lower wings
are also blue, with a wide black patch at the upper angle and a wide
band of black shading into greenish gray towards its upper part, on
the inner margin. There is one long pointed tail on each of the
lower wings, with a very short one scarcely more than a point
just above it. Near the base of the long tail is a shining metallic
greenish spot changing to bronze toward its inner end, and also a
little spot of the same color near the base of the little tail. The
head is black, with three silvery dots above and two silvery lines
along the base of the palpi. The antennae are of the same color ;
the body a brilliant shining blue shading to black toward the tip of
the abdomen.

The female is usually larger than the male, and much more sombre
in coloring. The most striking difference, however, is in the tails or
delicate prolongation of the lower wings. The upper pair are of
moderate length, and about what one would expect in a butterfly of

194

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

this size. The lower pair however, are very long and slender, and
out of all proportion to the size of the wings. On this account, and
the size of the insect, none other of our native butterflies are at all

Thecla lialesus. Female.

likely to be confused with this species. The upper wings are sooty
black on the outer two-thirds of their area, the inner third being a
dull metallic greenish blue, blending into the black. This coloring
also extends diagonally across the lower wing from the body to near
the base of the tails. Two elongated blue spots and one nearly round
bronze spot are enclosed in a black area near the base of the tails.
The tails are black.

Tliecla lialesus. Female. Under side.

The under side of the wings of both sexes is much alike. The
upper are brown, slightly lighter on the lower half, with two white
dots and one orange red spot near the base of the wing. A black

LYCiENIDiE.

195

fringe extends along the outer margin. The lower wings are
slightly darker brown than the upper pair, sometimes having a deli¬
cate violet tinge on the upper portion. Near the base of the wing
are several white dots and two orange red spots. An area about the
lower angle of the wing is black, and the tails and the fringe along
the outer margin are also black. A row of metallic violet or purple
blue spots extends along the lower margin of the wing, just inside of
the black fringe and above the base of the tails. Two rows of shin¬
ing green spots, the lower row ending in a long spot of bluish purple
next the inner margin, extend nearly across the wing in its lower
portion and separate the brown from the black area. The head,
thorax and legs are black with numerous fine white dots, and the
abdomen is orange red tipped with black.

This handsome butterfly is an inhabitant of the southern states
and Mexico. It is occasionally taken as far north as southern Ohio
and Illinois, and westward in California. It is not a rare insect in
Florida early in March, my brother having seen and taken speci¬
mens near Jacksonville in that month. It is a strong and rapid flyer,
frequentty alighting, but rather shy, and difficult to take with the
net. In Florida it is to be found in sandy districts on the edges of
forests. It frequently circles about the trees and when frightened
flies up and alights on twigs high up out of reach. I have several
fine specimens from Tennessee which are at least a third larger than
those taken by my brother in Florida. It is from these Tennessee
specimens that the illustrations are made.

The larva I have never seen and know nothing of its habits. It
is said to feed on the leaves of the oak.

Thecla smilacis.

A rather rare Thecla , and one which differs in a striking manner
from our other native species, is Thecla smilacis. It is a double¬
tailed species, the upper pair of prolongations being exceedingly fine

196

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

and hair-like, and showing at a casual glance scarcely more than a
point. The lower tails are larger and longer. There is some dif¬
ference in coloring between the sexes, the female being usually plain
brown in color, while in the male the middle of each wing is tawny
or rusty with a border of dark brown. The tails are black, tipped
with white, and the body is dark brown ; but the distinguishing
characteristic is the color of the under side, which in both sexes

Tliecla smilacis. Under side.

is green. In the upper wings the green color is most intense near
their base and at the tip, the lower half of the wing being rusty
brown. Two rows of white dots, internally edged with reddish
brown, cross the upper wings, fading out toward the lower margin
of the wing. The lower wings have three bands of white, the inner
one next the body being short and composed of three white spots
edged externally with rusty brown ; the middle one extends in a
wavy line across the centre of the wing, and is composed of large
white spots, having spots of rusty brown on the inner side ; the
outer band is narrow and follows the outer margin of the wing, being-
edged internally with gray and externally with dark brown. A
small black spot is located at the end of this line, just at the
inner angle of the wing, and has a white crescent above it. Between
the outer and middle white lines are two very small crescents of
black, the lower one having a faint orange spot below it with a
black dot below that. The body and legs are gray. I have never
seen this insect at all abundant and have taken it on but two or
three occasions near my home in Massachusetts. It is a difficult
little creature to see when at rest on the shrubs and bushes, among
which it delights, and when disturbed it flies in such a rapid
and jerky manner that the eye can scarcely follow it. I have taken
it early in June ftying about scrub oaks and young cedars, and
am inclined to think the larva lives on the latter plant, although

LYCiENIDiE.

197

I have never been so fortunate as to find it. The species inhabits
most of the country east of the Rocky Mountains and south of Massa¬
chusetts.

A very delicately and prettily marked little butterfly is Thecla
poeas , an inhabitant of the southern and southwestern states. The
upper wings are sooty black, with no markings whatever in the
ordinary form except that the upper edge of the wing is red,
although a specimen is occasionally taken with a few blue scales

Tliecla poeas.

scattered near the base of the wings. The lower wings are also
black, with a conspicuous wedge-shaped blue patch extending from
the base to near the lower margin, widening as it advances. Two
black spots are located near the base of the tails, with a fine grayish
blue line below them. In this species, as in most of the butterflies
of this genus, the lower pair of tails is the larger. Both pairs are

Tliecla poeas. Under side.

black, tipped with white. The body is black. The under wings
are grayish brown, lighter toward the lower margin of the upper
wings, the red upper edge of the upper margin showing more dis¬
tinctly from below. A reddish orange band composed of nearly
square spots placed close together extends two-thirds across the
upper wings, beginning at the outer third of the upper margin. This

198

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

band is edged externally with a very narrow line of black, and out¬
side this is another line of white. A line of faint dark spots fading
out toward the upper margin may be traced between the strongly
colored orange band and the margin, and a single elongated spot
is located above the centre of the wing. On the lower wings the
band of reddish orange spots, similar to the one on the upper
wings, extends in a zigzag manner across the wing. Between the
base of the tails is a large black spot with an orange crescent above
it. A small black spot with two vague white spots above it is
located at the inner angle, and between this and the large one is
a blue gray spot. A fine black line extends along the lower
margin with a delicate white line above it. There is also a line
of faint dark crescents, the lower one having an orange line exter¬
nally, extending from the large black spot to the upper angle of
the lower wing. The thorax and legs are gray, the abdomen
whitish.

In Florida and the Gulf states, this butterfly is generally not
rare in February and March, and may be taken in the same localities
inhabited by Theda halesus. It is not wild and may be captured in
the hands if caution is exercised. When frightened, however, it can
fly rapidly, but after circling about for a few moments soon alights,
often returning to the spot which it occupied before it was disturbed.

Tliecla calanus.

Probably our most common species of this genus is Theda
calanus , and although I have never seen it in any such numbers as
one may often see species of our commoner butterflies, still in
favored localities it is sometimes abundant. The upper side of
the wings is dark blackish brown, the male having the usual oval
disc near the upper margin. There is one moderately long tail
and an exceedingly fine and short one. Both are black and tipped
with white. Near the base of the tails, and extending to the inner

LYCiENIDiE.

199

angle of the wing, is a narrow black line edged on both sides with
a faint white line. There is a black spot at tlie inner angle,
and a dim orange red spot edged externally with black above and
between the base of the tails. The body is of the same color as the
wings.

The under side of the wing is lighter than the upper. Two
lines of elongated dark brown spots, close together, cross the upper
wing. The outer line is very faint, both above and below the
middle, edged internally with white; the inner line is more dis¬
tinct, and is edged externally with a fine line of white. One dark
brown spot is situated above the middle of the wing, and is edged

Thecla calanus. Under side.

on both sides with faint whitish lines. On the lower wings the
two lines of spots are continued, but the outer one is much more dis¬
tinct than the inner, being composed of black crescents edged
internally with white. This line is very irregular and runs in a
zigzag manner above the base of the tails. The inner line is edged
externally with white, as on the upper wing, both lines curving
upward toward the end of the abdomen on the inner margin.
There is a conspicuous black spot between the base of the tails and
another at the inner angle. A fine white line runs from the latter
spot along the outer margin and fades out toward the upper angle.
A large blue gray spot is placed between the two black spots. A
large deep orange crescent with a smaller one placed farther upon
the wing will be seen above the first black spot, and an orange line
is located above the black spot at the inner angle. The thorax
and legs are blue gray, and the abdomen is whitish with brown at
the tip.

In the latter part of June and early July this butterfly makes its
appearance in the northern part of this country. It is not at all shy
or wild, and when settled on its favorite flowers may be picked off

200

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

with the fingers. Like many other insects it is very partial to the
blossoms of the different kinds of milkweeds, deliberately moving
about over the clusters of flowers and extracting their honey, paying
not the slightest attention to the bees, wasps, beetles and flies that
usually swarm about these strong-smelling blossoms. One of my
brothers had the good fortune early in July to find a locality in Con¬
cord, Mass., where this and two or three other species of Theda were
very abundant, and where lie obtained a large number in a short
space of time. They were first seen on the roadside, but on entering
the scrub an open space was found, of perhaps half an acre in extent,
in which many plants were in bloom. On the flowers rested dozens
of specimens of this and the following species, most of them in very
perfect condition. Specimens of Theda titus were also seen and cap¬
tured, hut they were very wild and had to be approached in the most
careful manner. The finding of such a locality as this is a veritable
mine to the collector, who may here lay in a supply of perfect speci¬
mens with which to exchange with other collectors for their duplicate
specimens. One gentleman with whom I am acquainted, living not
far from my home, has in this way obtained a very fine collection
numbering many hundreds if not thousands of both native and exotic
butterflies and moths, never having procured a specimen except in
exchange.

The larva of Theda calanus feeds on the oak. The species inhab¬
its the eastern half of the country, except the extreme south. It also
runs well up into Canada.

Thecla edwardsii.

A closely allied insect, inhabiting the same localities and easity
mistaken for the preceding species, is Theda edtvardsii. This butter¬
fly also lias two tails, although the upper pair are scarcely more than
points. The general color of the upper side is not so dark a brown
as in Theda calanus. There is the same black line along the lower
margin of the lower wings, edged with white. Above and between

LYCiENIDiE.

201

the base of the tails is a tawny spot, which in some specimens is
prominent and in others is so dim as to be scarcely noticeable. The
under side is lighter brown than the upper, the spots arranged in two
rows on both sets of wings much the same as in the preceding, except
that they are farther apart and the white lines encircle the brown
spots on the inner row, although they are much more prominent on
the outer side. Several crescents of deep orange, edged internally
with black, extend from the base of the lower tail to within a short
distance of the upper angle in the lower wing, and a large blue spot
is located between the base of the lower tail and the inner angle,
where there is a black spot.

Thecla edwardsii. Under side.

The tails are black, tipped with white, and a small black spot,
with a point in the middle extending upward, is located above the
base of the tails. A fine black and white line follows the lower mar¬
gin of the wing from the black spot at the lower angle to the upper
angle. The thorax is gray, the legs nearly white, and the abdomen
light brown.

This butterfly, although usually less abundant, inhabits the same
localities and may be taken at the same time as the preceding species.
The remarks as already written in regard to the habits of one apply
equally well to the other.

Another double-tailed species, which I have found rather rare and
difficult to obtain in perfect condition, is Thecla strigosa. The upper
side is dark brown, and in the female a large patch of tawny orange
occupies the middle of each fore Aving. This spot is almost if not
wholly wanting in the male. A faint taAvny spot with a black spot
below it is placed between the base of the tails in the lower wings,
and a black line edged with a faint line of white extends from the
base of the upper tail to a black spot at the inner angle. The tails
are black, tipped with white. The body is dark brown. The under

202

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

side is prettily marked with wavy white lines, the outer line of both
wings being edged externally with black crescents. A black spot is
situated on the lower wings between the base of the tails, and another

Thecla strigosa.

one at the inner angle. Between these two is the usual blue gray
spot. A row of orange red crescents, gradually becoming smaller
toward the upper part, extends above these spots from the inner

Tliecla strigosa. Under side.

angle toward the upper angle of the wing. The thorax is gray, and
the legs grayish white, the abdomen being yellowish white. Packard
says that the larva is downy and of a rich velvety green, obliquely
striped on the sides with faint jmllow lines, and that it feeds on the
thorn.

I have captured a few specimens of this butterfly in Massa¬
chusetts late in July, and have had others sent me from Canada.
This insect inhabits the eastern half of the country. Those that I
found were among low shrubs and bushes and often in company
with Tliecla calanus, though they were much more shy, and when
alarmed flew rapidly away and were seldom seen again. The white
lines on the under side render the insect quite easily identified
from the other butterflies with which it is likely to be found,
and one may move cautiously about where they are feeding or

LYCiENIDiE.

203

sporting in the sunshine, and pick out the kinds which are most
desired.

Still another of our native double-tailed insects belonging to this
genus and inhabiting all the upper part of the eastern half of the
country is Theda humuli. The upper side is sooty brown, sometimes
blackish or bluish, particularly on the lower wings. The upper wings
have no marks of any kind except the usual sex mark in the males.
The lower wings have two delicate tails on each, the lower pair being
much the longer. These are black, tipped with white. Between the
base of the tails is a black spot, and above this a large, orange red
crescent. Two or three dim bluish spots are located between this
orange crescent and the inner angle of the wing. A narrow black
line, edged internally with a faint whitish line, runs from the base
of the upper tail to near the inner angle, where there is usually a

Thecla humuli.

faint orange spot. The eyes are brown, the front part of the head
white, the thorax and upper part of the abdomen bluish black, the
latter tipped with reddish brown.

Thecla humuli. Under side.

The under side of the wing is a delicate light grayish brown.
The upper margin of the fore wing along the inner half is tinged
with red, and two lines of blackish spots are placed on the outer third
of the wing. The outer line is faint, and fades out completely at

204

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

both ends before reaching the upper or lower margin ; the inner line
is composed of more distinct spots, and extends from the upper mar¬
gin half-way across the wing, where it abruptly ends. These spots are
edged externally with white. These two lines of spots cross the
lower wings, approaching each other closely where they end at the
inner margin. At the inner angle is -a distinct black spot, and another
one is placed above and between the base of the tails. Conspicuous
orange spots, with a gray one between them, are located above these
black spots. A narrow black line, edged internally with white,
extends along the outer margin from the spot at the inner angle
to the upper angle of the wing. The body and legs are light gray,
almost white.

This pretty little butterfly is not rare in July and August,
and may frequently be found about flowering plants at that time
of year. According to my observations it is most abundant along
the borders of lakes and rivers, but this is doubtless because the
flowering plants from which it extracts honey are, in our culti¬
vated districts, only allowed to grow freely in such places. The larva
is green and downy, and may be found feeding on the hop vine. It
is found in all parts of the country.

Thecla titus.

Theda titus is a handsome tailless species, having a range over
the country east of the Rocky Mountains, extending north into
Canada. The upper surface is dark brown with brassy reflections,
the body being blackish with a slightly green shade. The upper
wings are without markings, except a grayish oval sex mark near the
upper margin in the male. On the lower wings a fringe of white
hairs extends along the inner margin from their base, half-way to the
inner angle. A faint whitish line, edged internally with black, runs
from the inner angle a short distance along the outer margin. On
the under side the wings are somewhat lighter with more of a red-

LYCiENIDiE.

205

dish cast, next the body being slightly greenish, but lacking the
brassy reflections of the upper side. A row of small black spots,
edged externally with gray, run more than half across the upper
wing from the outer third of the upper margin. A row of three or
four minute black dots are placed between this row and the outer
margin. On the lower wings is a row of bold, orange red spots, edged
internally first with black and then with white, extending from
the upper margin near the upper angle to near the inner angle.
A narrow black line runs from the inner angle along the outer
margin, growing fainter toward the upper angle. A straggling
row of black dots, edged outwardly with white, partly cross the
wing beginning about the middle of the upper margin. The thorax
is bluish gray, the legs whitish. The abdomen is yellowish white,
but brown at the tip.

A more agile and wary little butterfly than this it would be
difficult to find. While on the wing it moves so rapidly and
darts about in such a manner, that one can hardly keep it in sight.

Thecla titus. Under side.

It is frequently to be met with in July, on flowering weeds in com¬
pany with other kinds of Thecla , but one must move cautiously
and strike quickly with the net to capture it. While in pursuit
of the different species of Argynnis along the meadows, I have
occasionally run across this butterfly, but have never seen it very
abundant. French describes the larva as dull green in color and
covered with very short brown hairs. It feeds on wild cherry
and plum. Inhabits the greater part of the whole country, but is
not very common.

A species not possessing tails, but furnished with several tooth¬
like projections on the lower wings, is Thecla irus. The body and
wings on the upper side are dark brown without markings, save that
on the lower wings the prolongations are tipped with black, and a

206

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES .

narrow black line runs from the inner angle along the outer margin
to the upper angle. On the under side the inner two-thirds of the
upper wings is dark reddish brown, edged externally on the upper

Thecla irus.

portion with a white line. The outer third is light reddish brown
darker toward the margin, and containing a few faint dark brown
spots. A band along the lower margin of the wing is grayish
brown. On the lower wings next the body is an area of dark gray,
with an irregular dark reddish brown patch, which commences
wide at the upper margin and ends in a point at the middle of the

Thecla irus. Under side.

inner margin. The remainder of the wing is occupied by a gray
area, brownish toward the upper margin, where it encloses a few
vague brown spots. The projections on the wings are dark brown,
and a small black spot is located above the base of the lower pair.
A few brown spots are placed in the middle of the gray area,
extending in a row from the inner margin to just above the black
spot. I have taken this butterfly but rarely in eastern Massachu¬
setts, and have had specimens sent me from Ontario. It is found
throughout the eastern, middle and western states.

Another tailless variety, but having points on the lower wing,
is Thecla niphon. The upper side is reddish brown, blackish on the
margin of the wings. In the female the middle of the fore wings

LYCiENIDiE.

207

and the lower part of the lower wings is occupied by a large patch of
rusty brown. This color is wanting in the male, except on the lower
wings near the lower angle. The margin of the upper wing is com¬
posed of a yellowish fringe, black dotted, and the projections on the
lower wings are black with a yellowish fringe between them. The

Thecla niplion.

under side of the wings is reddish brown with numerous reddish,
black and white lines and spots covering their surfaces, arranged in
a zigzag pattern, the detail of which may be better understood by
reference to the illustration than by any written description. The
effect is pleasing and is probably protective, rendering the butterfly

Thecla niplion. Under side.

less easily seen by its enemies. This butterfly makes its appearance
early in the season, and in the latter part of April and early in May
is to be met with on warm days along roads or paths, through forests
or tracts of scrub oaks and pines. It is a lively little creature, like so
many other members of this interesting genus, and may frequently
be seen in numbers of three or four chasing each other about in the
warm sunshine. When at rest, on account of its resemblance to a
fragment of dried leaf, it is not easily seen, and one must work
quickly to take it with the net as it flits past. The larva feeds on
the pine and is green in color with a white stripe on each side, and

208

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

one of yellow down the middle of the back. The insect inhabits the
eastern, middle and western states.

Tliecla augustus.

Theda augustus is a common little butterfly throughout New
England early in the spring, and is often seen on the wing soon after
the snow has left. The lower wings are slightly scalloped, and a
prominent rounded projection is located at the inner angle. The
upper surface is wholly dark brown without markings of any kind.
On the under side the upper wings are yellowish brown on their

Thecla augustus. Under side.

outer third, while a broad area of reddish brown, outlined with a
faint black mark, occupies most of the remainder of the surface, the
lower margin being grayish. The outer half of the lower wings is
reddish brown, with a row of small black dots running through the
middle from the upper to the lower margin. The basal half of the
wing is dark reddish brown, with an irregular outline, edged with a
faint black line. The body and legs are gray.

It is frequently found in company with Theda niphon. It is not
a rapid flyer in comparison with other species of this genus, but it is
so small and plain in color that it is liable to escape observation.

This genus of Theda is so well represented in our country, some
species are so exquisitely colored, the shapes and habits of many

— --

■

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

Upper Side

Under Side

LIBYTHEA BACHMANI

LYCiENIDiE.

209

of the larvae are so different from those of other butterflies, that it is
a group of unusual interest to the collector. Then, too, the life-his¬
tories of several of the species are still unknown, or only known in a
very imperfect manner. On account of their small size, the extreme
wariness, and also the rarity of some of the species, careful observa¬
tion and patience are requisite to their capture and study, but the
hours never seem long or the time ill-spent to him who is keenly
interested in the pursuit and study of these minute but fascinating
creatures.

The genus Libythoea is distinguished by having short angular
wings and very long pointed palpi, extending out beyond the head
in such a manner that the butterflies belonging to this genus have
earned the common names of “ Long beaks ” and “ Snout butterflies.”
The males have but four well-developed legs (thus showing their
close relationship to the Satyridce and the Nymp Jialid ce) , while the
females have six.

The insects are of different shades of brown, with yellowish and
whitish markings. We have but three species in the United States,
while but one of these, Libythoea bachmanni , inhabits the eastern half
of the country.

This butterfly varies a good deal in coloring, some specimens
being much lighter and more reddish than others. The markings,
also, of the under side are distinct and clear cut in. some, and very
vague in other specimens.

I have never observed this butterfly in New England, but in the
west and south it is not rare, and Packard, states that it is found in
Central America and the West Indies. I have taken it early in
August in some numbers, at Batesville, Arkansas. Here, along the
pebbly shore of the White Itiver, a good many specimens could be
seen, standing with their wings erect, and sipping the moisture from
wet spots in the bed. They were excessively shy and difficult to
capture, and when alarmed flew very rapidly, but soon alighted.
They did not mingle with the other butterflies, which in places were
crowded together in dozens, but always alighted on the water-worn
stones well out toward the river.

The larva is dark green, without spines, but having many light
yellow points, giving it a rough appearance. According to French,
it feeds on the nettle tree QCeltis occidentalism , only one egg being
placed by the female to a branch. The chrysalis is bluish green and
slightly angular.

210

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

SA TYRIDjE.

Wood Nymphs. Browns.

The family Satyridoe contains a number of medium sized, plain
colored butterflies, mostly of different shades of brown, whose only
ornamentation usually consists of numerous eye-like spots, most dis-

Larva of Satyrus.

tinctly traced on the underside. The larvse are cylindrical, tapering
toward both ends, particularly the hinder extremity, which is termi¬
nated by two points. They are usually covered with soft, short
hairs, springing from minute warts. Many species feed on grasses.
The chrysalides are not angular, differing in this respect in a striking
manner from those of the succeeding family. They are usually sus-

Clirysalis of Satyrus.

pended by the tail from a silken mat, although sometimes they are
found loose among leaves on the ground. Like the Nymphalidce
they lack the silken thread passing around the body, which is the
principal characteristic of the Papilionidce. The perfect insects
possess but four well-developed legs, the forward pair being almost
aborted. Their wings are broad and rounded at the ends, and their
bodies are small and weak. They are sometimes seen in great
numbers, and are most often found in or near wooded tracts. Their
flight is slow, and most of the species are easily taken with the net.

Our first example of this group, Cliionobas semidea , is an insect of
great interest to the entomologist, on account of its probably being
a survivor of an arctic pre-glacial species, driven to more southern
latitudes by the cold of the ice age, and later having advanced up the
mountain sides as the ice sheet gradually melted, being thus cut off
from a retreat to its former northern habitat by intervening regions

SATYRIDiE.

211

too warm for its existence. It is now found rarely on the tops of
some of the liighest mountains in New Hampshire, and in similar

Cliionobas semidea.

situations on the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. In coloring the
insect is plain, being an even tint of brown above without spots or
markings, save on the upper margin of the fore wings, which is
marked with white and dark brown, and the fringe on the outer
margin which is light yellowish marked with dark brown spots.
This is most distinctly shown on the under side. Beneath, the fore

Cliionobas seniidea. Under side.

wings are plain brown, except along the upper margin and the apex,
which is marked with short, irregular lines of dark brown, yellowish
brown and white. The lower wings are marked with light brown,

212

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

dark brown and white, the shades being distributed in an irregular
manner. The base of the wing is dark brown, then comes an uneven
band of lighter brown, outside of which is a wide band of dark brown
made up of numerous irregular markings. Beyond this the wing is
lighter, with many white streaks, the brown markings again growing
more numerous toward the outer margin. The scales are not thickly
laid on the wings, and on holding a specimen toward the light it will
be seen to be semi-transparent, particularly the lower portion of the
upper wings. The thorax is hairy below. The antennse are spotted
with white and brown, and the slender club is reddish.

From the middle to the latter part of July this butterfly may be
seen in numbers near the top of Mount Washington, New Hampshire,
and one or two other points of almost equal elevation. It is worth a
climb of several thousand feet to see this interesting species in its
bleak and wind-swept home. The weather is frequently very cold
and windy here, and it often hails and even snows in the summer
time, but let the sun come out for half an hour, and out will come
the butterflies as if they were flitting about a lowland meadow and
a snow squall was the last thing to be thought of. They hug the
ground pretty closely while on the wing, but they are not rapid or
strong flyers, and it is ,a wonder that ere this the}' have not been
swept out of existence. The larva is said to feed on lichens.

tiatyrus alope makes its appearance early in July, and is usually
very abundant by the middle of that month in low lands, along
brooks or ponds fringed with a line of bushes or trees. It is not a

— -™ — ■—

, :

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

Upper Side

Under Side

SATYRUS ALOPE

SATYRIDiE.

213

rapid flyer, generally keeping near the ground and often alighting in
the coarse grass or on the foliage of the bushes. The females are

Satyms alope. Male.

considerably larger than the males, and there is a good deal of varia¬
tion between individuals in regard to the size of the eye-spots, as the
accompanying illustrations from those captured in the same locality

Satyrus alope. Female.

will show. An interesting capture made in Wellesley, Mass., is
shown in the following illustration. It is doubtless an albino, and is
an example of the strangely colored insects one may occasionally
take while collecting large numbers of specimens. The ground tint
is a light tan color streaked with light brown, and the patch on the

214

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

fore wing is bright yellowish orange, the eye-spots being small and
rather dim.

Specimens may be occasionally taken, particularly where the
present species and Satyrus nephele are found in the same locality,
where there is great variation in the size of the yellowish tan patch

Satyrus alope. Albino.

on the fore wings. In fact, there is a gradual gradation between those
in which the spot is large and well defined to others where there is a
mere shade of tan color around the two large eye-spots. By some
authors the following species, where this color is entirely wanting,
is considered but a well-marked variety of Satyrus alope. As dis¬
tinctions between varieties and species are more or less arbitrary, and
considering the fact that if we could see all the intervening varieties,
one species would blend insensibly into another, one must conclude
that a knowledge of the habits of an animal is more useful than an
ability to separate by these nice distinctions varieties from species.

As the flight of these insects is weak, they have been obliged to
resort to a number of tricks to outwit their enemies. In capturing
these butterflies the collector will very soon become acquainted with
their modes of escape, which are very interesting, and show no small
amount of cunning, scarcely to be looked for in an innocent little
butterfly. Their first plan of escape on being disturbed is to make
directly for a clump of bushes, into the thickest part of which they
dive, and there remain until the danger is past. If one is startled
from the grass at some distance from a safe retreat, and the collector
overtakes him, he vrill immediately dodge backward and forward, at

SATYRIDiE.

215

one time high in air ancl again low down near the grass tops, and in
spite of his slow flight, keeping well clear of the net. If the net is
at last brought very close to him, he will try his last desperate scheme to
elude his pursuer, and shutting his wings quickly together will drop
into the grass, disappearing as if by magic. If it were not for the
cunning of these frail little creatures, they would doubtless have
gone to the wall long ago in the struggle for existence.

The larva is cylindrical, tapering toward both ends, and has a
forked tail. It is yellowish green in color, and covered with fine
white hairs. When partly grown it passes the winter hidden among
the lower stems of the' coarse swamp grass, upon which it feeds, and
the next summer completes its growth, changes to a green chrysalis,
and emerges a perfect fly.

This butterfly with its varieties is a plentiful insect over the east¬
ern half of the country except in the extreme south.

Satyrus uepliele.

A more northern species than the preceding, and abundant in
the northern part of the United States and Canada, is Satyrus nephele.
In this insect the upper side is dark brown, without the ochre patch
on the forward wings. Two small black eye-spots on the upper wing,
surrounded with a faint yellowish brown ring, correspond with the
large eye-spots of the preceding species. On the lower wing there
is usually a single small black spot. These constitute the only
markings of the upper side. On the under side the general color is
much the same. The spots on the fore wings are enlarged, pupilled
witli white, and encircled with distinct rings of tan color. Several
smaller rings adorn the lower wings. The inner half of both sets of

216

MOTES AND BUTTERFLIES.

wings is marked with short lines of blackish brown, which run
together near the body. This area of dark lines is outlined with a
heavy irregular dark line. Outside of this on the lower wings the
fine dark lines still continue, but they are fainter and shorter. The
habits of this insect are identical with the preceding species.

Satyrus nepliele. Under side.

Satyrus pegala is a southern species, being found along the gulf
states, and as far north as New Jersey on the east coast. It much
resembles Satyrus alope , but the lower eye-spot on the upper wing is
very small and without the central white or bluish pupil. Its habits
closely resemble those of the two preceding species, and its larva
lives on coarse grasses.

Neonympha eurytris (spelled also eurythris') is, where it occurs,
one of the most plentiful of butterflies, being seen sometimes
in great numbers in upland wooded districts. It is a short-lived
little creature, however, and is so fragile and delicate that a cold storm
or a heavy wind will destroy it by thousands. This destruction may be
easily noticed if a long cold storm occurs during the greatest abun¬
dance of the species, as the butterflies, for a day or two afterward, will
be scarce and badly worn, and as they again increase in abundance
from day to day they will be found to be nearly all in perfect condi¬
tion, as their numbers are augmented by the hatching out of fresh
specimens. This is a pretty good argument for the collector to use
when accused of the wanton destruction of innocent life by the over¬
sensitive persons that are occasionally met with while one is out
with the net. How many butterflies will all the collectors in the
world capture in one year in comparison with those exterminated by
natural causes, sometimes in a single night? Very few, surely.

■

- ■

1 rig spec I

t. r ■

DENTON

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

NEONYMPHA EURYTHRIS

SATYR.ID.zE.

217

With any of the commoner species the collector is not a factor in
diminishing their numbers. These kindly disposed persons, before
they pass judgment on the collectors for cruelty, should think of the
parasites which so often inhabit the larvae of butterflies and moths,
gradually eating away their substance till they are little more than
animated skins filled with a wriggling mass of maggots, lingering in
this condition for days, so weak as to be scarcely able to crawl. The
industrious and painstaking collector, who is endeavoring to increase
his knowledge or adorn his cabinet with fresh and perfect specimens,
should have every encouragement ; he is a public benefactor.

This butterfly is most abundant the latter part of June, and the
woods are then fairly alive with them. At tins time many specimens
stray into the open fields and may be seen about our dwellings,
although they act as though they felt out of place, and would gladly
be back in the woods, where they prefer tracts containing a thick
undergrowth of bushes. They fly low, just above the ground, with
a rather slow but unsteady or jerky motion, and often alight on the
low herbage. To get perfect specimens one must take them very
soon after they make their appearance, as they are so apt to become
worn or ragged. This species is probably double-brooded to a limited
extent, as one may occasionally take perfect specimens in August or
early in September ; but these are scarce in comparison with the June
brood. The majority evidently prefer to go over to the next season.
The larva is brownish, darker on the sides, and the body is covered
with short brown hairs. The winter is passed in the larval state.
The insect inhabits the eastern half of the country.

Neonympha can thus. Male.

A somewhat northern species is Neonympha canthus , and it is plenti¬
ful in parts of New England and Canada. It usually inhabits woods,

218

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

but is rarely, if ever, to be found in such abundance as the preceding
species, and its time of appearance is later, usually about the middle
of July. The insect, though timid, is not a rapid flyer, and seems to
be somewhat gregarious in its habits, for, where one is seen, a num¬
ber may often be started from the trees and bushes in its immediate
vicinity.

The saying that “ one sees what he is looking for ” was never
better exemplified than with reference to the collecting of many of

our butterflies and moths, and the shy and retiring species under
consideration is a good example. Were one not diligently looking
for the insect, and acquainted with the kind of locality in which it is

Neonymplia cantlius. Male. Under side.

usually found, lie would probably never dream of its existence unless
by accident he ran across a colony. These butterflies seldom stray
far from where they emerge from the chrysalis, and on account of

5 ■-

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

NEONYMPHA CANTHUS

SATYRIDiE.

219

their delicate structure, their lives are probably very short. There is
considerable variation both between the sexes and between individ¬
uals of the same sex. The males are generally smaller than the

Neonympha can thus. Female.

females, and are darker in color. In the female there is usually a
light yellowish .gray band on the upper side, which crosses the for¬
ward wing about one-third from the end, and the spots on both

Neonympba cantlius. Female. Under side.

wings are encircled with yellowish gray. These differences can be
readily seen in the accompanying illustrations. The sizes of the eye-
spots in individuals of the same sex often vary in a marked degree,
even in specimens from the same locality. In some they show
scarcely more than dots on the upper side, and in others they are
large and prominent on both sides.

The caterpillar feeds on grass. It is greenish and downy, and

220

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

hibernates over winter in a half-grown state, completing its growth
the next season. The chrysalis is green.

Neonymplia gemma. Upper and under side.

An extremely delicate little butterfly is Neonymplia gemma. The
wings are light grayish brown, slightly darker toward their outer
margins, and are without markings, except two small spots of brown
near the outer margin of each lower wing. On the under side the
wings are crossed by two faint wavy lines of brown, and next their
base are marked with a few short irregular brown lines. Next the
outer margin of the lower wings, and bordered inwardly with a gray¬
ish pink area, is a row of four sharply-defined small black spots, each
having a silvery centre. Several splashes of silver extend along the
margin both above and below the row of spots.

This insect is southern in its range, from Virginia southward.

Neonymplia sosybius. Upper and under side.

About the same size as the preceding species and of a brownish
gray, with slightly pinkish reflections, is Neonymplia sosybius. The
upper side is without spots or markings, except three faint lines
along the outer margins. The under side is a much lighter gray,

SATYRIDiE.

221

with two strong brown lines crossing both sets of wings. On the
upper wings, beginning near the upper angle, is a row of four brown
ancl one black eye-spots, each surrounded with a yellow ring and
having a central silver dot, and this row is continued on the lower
wings, where there are three brown and three black spots. Three
brown lines follow the margins of the wings.

This is also a southern species, being found from Virginia south¬
ward and westward.

Debis portlandia.

Debts portlandia. The general color of this insect is light wood
brown, the outer third of the forward wings being pale, with an

Debis portlandia. Under side.

irregular dark line separating it from the general color of the wing.
This line is darkest and widest near the upper margin, and is bor¬
dered outwardly by a light yellowish gray area. There are three

222

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

large dark brown spots with black centres (the lower one being the
largest), and one very small spot on the outward third of the upper
wing. These spots are surrounded with a ring of pale yellow. On
the lower wings are live large dark brown spots, similar to those
above. These are arranged as shown in the accompanying figure.
The margins of all four wings are darker, and are fringed with white
interrupted with tufts of brown scales at the ends of the veins.
Two pale grayish lines follow the outer margins of the wings. The
thorax is gray, the head and abdomen yellowish brown. The under
side is very prettily marked ; the general color is about the same as
the upper side except that there is a slightly pinkish tinge ; but
running across both sets of wings, from near the middle of the upper
margin of the upper wings, is a wide irregular bar of gray brown,
with several indentations and projections on the outer edge. This
bar is outlined on both edges with a line of brown. Outside of this
is a light yellowish gray area. On the outer third of the upper wing
is a row of fine blackish brown spots of various sizes. These are
each pupilled with white and encircled with a yellow ring. Outside of
this, and enclosing the row of spots, is a line of whitish. The lower
wing is also supplied with a number of spots similar to those on the
upper wing. The whitish line is also continued, the large spot near
the upper margin, and the double spot at the lower end of the row,
being encircled by it, while it follows as a wavy line on both sides
of the other spots. The entire margin is darker, and a light gray
line follows it on both wings. The bod}^ and legs are light yellow¬
ish ; the abdomen near the thorax is white.

This insect inhabits the whole eastern half of the continent, but
is very rare in New England so far as my experience goes, although
it is a common butterfly in several of the western states. It inhabits
wooded districts, particularly the growths of willows along rivers.
It is apparently somewhat gregarious, as in walking along the banks
of a stream where coarse grasses grow among the trees, one will
frequently start it up in numbers, but only in a space covering. a few
square rods. I have seen it very abundant in Iowa, about the mid¬
dle of July, along the Iowa and Skunk rivers. The insects usually
alight on the tree trunks and among the coarse grasses, and fly but a
short distance in a slow and uncertain manner, so that one may catch
them in the hands even while on the wing. When not disturbed,
they move and turn about at short intervals as if in play, or to take
in the view from every direction. The insects vary a good deal in

N YM P H A L IDiE .

223

their markings, some having much larger and darker eye-spots than
others.

The larva feeds upon grasses, and is cylindrical in shape, taper¬
ing towards both ends, the posterior being forked into two short tails.
It is greenish yellow in color, striped with yellow and dark green.
The chrysalis is green and smooth, and is often attached to the stems
or blades of the grass on which the larva has fed.

NYMPHALIDM.

Angle Wings. Silver spots.

The great family of Nymphalidce contains a larger number of
species and genera than any other group of butterflies. It comprises
many good sized and beautiful insects, and most of our well-known
and showy specimens belong to this group. The family has a world¬
wide range, members belonging to it being found in every country on
the earth. Many of the individual species have a wide geographical
distribution, several being well known in half the inhabited regions
of the globe. Many of the larvae of these butterflies are covered with
spines or stout bristles, while others are adorned with fleshy fila¬
ments. The chrysalis is stout, and is suspended from a patch of silk
by the posterior end of the body, without the thread of silk which
passes around the body of the chrysalis of the Papilionidce. A large
number of the chrysalides are angular, some being adorned with
stout, sharp pointed spines or projections, while others are compara¬
tively smooth. Some are beautifully marked with golden or silvery
spots, and are a delight to look upon. The chrysalis stage usually
lasts about two weeks, depending largely on the temperature.

The butterflies of this group are many of them active, rapid flying
insects, with stout bodies, and frequently colored in a brilliant and
striking maimer. They have but four well developed legs, the
forward pair being aborted and of very little use to the insect. A
deep groove on the lower wings partly encloses the abdomen on
either side.

In his excellent work on “ Insects Injurious to Vegetation,” Mr.
Harris describes the way in which a caterpillar of this family sheds
its skin and becomes a chrysalis, in such a complete and beautifully
written manner, that I have concluded to insert it here instead of
describing the process in my own words. He says of the A ympha-
lidce : “ Their caterpillars, when about to transform, do not make a

224

MOTHS AND BUTTERELIES.

loop to support the fore part of the body, but suspend themselves
vertically by the hindmost feet. As they all secure themselves
pretty much in the same way, it may be proper to explain the
process. Having finished eating, the caterpillar wanders about till
it has discovered a suitable situation in which to pass through its
transformations. This may he under the side of a branch or of a
leaf or any other horizontal object beneath which it can find suffi¬
cient room for its future operations. Here it spins a web or tuft of
silk, fastening it securely to the surface beneath which it is resting,
entangles the hooks of its hindmost feet among the threads, and then
contracts its body and lets itself drop so as to hang suspended by the
hind feet alone, the head and fore part of the body being curved
upwards in the form of a hook. After some hours, the skin over the
bent part of the body is rent, the fore part of the chrysalis protrudes
from the fissure, and, by a wriggling kind of motion, the caterpillar
skin is stripped backwards till only the extremity of the chrysalis
remains attached to it. The chrysalis has now to release itself
entirely from the caterpillar skin, which is gathered in folds around
its tail, and to make itself fast to the silken tuft by the minute hooks
with which the hinder extremity is provided. Not having the assist¬
ance of a transverse loop to support its body while it disengages its
tail, the attempt would seem perilous in the extreme, if not impossi¬
ble. Without having witnessed the operation, we should suppose
that the insect would inevitably fall while endeavoring to accom¬
plish its object. But, although unprovided with ordinary limbs, it is
not left without the means to extricate itself from its present diffi¬
culty. The hinder and tapering part of the chrysalis consists of
several rings or segments, so joined together as to be capable of mov¬
ing from side to side upon each other ; and these supply to it the
place of hands. By bending together two of these rings near the
middle of the body, the chrysalis seizes, in the crevice between them,
a portion of the empty caterpillar skin, and clings to it so as to sup¬
port itself while it withdraws its tail from the remainder of the skin.
It is now wholly out of the skin, to which it hangs suspended by nip¬
ping together the rings of its body; but, as the chrysalis is much
shorter than the caterpillar, it is yet some distance from the tuft of
silk to which it must climb before it can fix in it the hooks of its
hinder extremhy. To do this, it extends the rings of its body as far
apart as possible, then, bending together two of them above those by
which it is suspended, it catches hold of the skin higher up, at the

NYMPH ALLD7E.

225

same time letting go below, and by repeating this process with differ¬
ent rings in succession, it at length reaches the tuft of silk, entangles
its hooks among the threads, and then hangs suspended without
further risk of falling. It next contrives to dislodge the cast cater¬
pillar skin by whirling itself around repeatedly, till the old skin is
finally loosened from its attachment and falls to the ground. The
whole of this operation, difficult as it may seem, is performed in the
space of a very few minutes, and rarely does this insect fail to accom¬
plish it successfully and safely.”

So rapidly is a part of this process performed, particularly the
withdrawing of the tail of the chrysalis from the caterpillar skin and
the climbing up and fastening of its hooks in the mat of silk, that
one can scarcely understand how it is done until he has seen it over
and over again.

The genus P aphid is confined to the American continent, and
most of the species are from Central and South America. The
upper wings are pointed, and the lower pair is usually adorned with
a narrow tail on each wing. Many of the species are richly colored
with purplish brown, pinkish brown, bluish black, greenish black,
etc. ; but not many are brilliant in comparison with those of other
tropical butterflies.

Papilla troglodyta. Male.

A fine insect, found throughout the western and southwestern
states, is Paphia troglodyta. In color the male is copper red, the
outer margin of the wings being brownish on the upper pair and
blackish on the lower. The female is not so bright a red, and numer-

226

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

ous black markings are distributed over the wings as shown in the
figure. On the outer third of both sets of wings is a wide, light
area of yellow, which in the upper wings takes the form of a broad
band, branching at the top. In the lower wings this yellow band
blends into the other colors of the wing about half-way across from
the upper margin. The under side of both sexes is much the same
and is often a grayish brown, which harmonizes with the bark of
trees upon which the insects often alight. This color of the under
side is very variable, and specimens may be found varying from
light grayish brown to a deep red brown. The caterpillar is a
curious looking creature, tapering both ways from the middle, par¬
ticularly toward the posterior end. The head is of good size, and,

Paphia troglodyta. Female.

when the animal is extended, it is seen to have quite a neck, re¬
minding one in this respect of the larva of the Hesperidce. In color
it is bluish green, and the surface of its bod}7 is rough, being cov¬
ered with fine whitish points. Its food plant is the goat-weed. The
chrysalis is short and thick, and varies in color from light greenish to
greenish brown.

This butterfly I have seen in many places in the west during July
and August. It is a strong and rapid flyer, and were it as wary as
it is active, it would be a difficult insect to capture. It frequently
alights on the topmost twig of a bush, or on a fence post, where it
can have an unobstructed view of all about, and from this retreat it
sallies forth to meet and give battle to each intruder on its chosen

■

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

Upper Side

Under Side

PAPHIA TROGLODYTA

NYMPH ALIDiE.

227

domain. While the insect is at rest one may cautiously advance
quite near, but any sudden movement will alarm it, when off it will
go so rapidly that one can scarcely see it. It frequently returns to
the same spot in a few moments, and resting with half-spread wings,
looks as if daring the observer to make another trial to take it cap¬
tive. It is sometimes too confident of its powers, and finds itself a
prisoner, when its struggles to escape are indeed desperate. So bold
is this butterfly at times, that after striking at it with the net and
missing it, I have had it alight on my hat or my clothing, as if it
considered the performance good sport and desired me to try again.

My brother had an interesting experience with this butterfly dur¬
ing the latter part of July in southeastern Missouri. He discovered,
resting on the leaves of trees surrounding a patch of goat-weed, a
number of the males of this species, waiting for the females to make
their appearance. The males were very shy and active, so much so,
in fact, that he almost came to the conclusion that he would not be
able to capture any, until he hit upon this plan : after seeing one
alight on a leaf, he would carefully walk around to the back of the
tree, and then come up under him, when he would see his shadow
from the under side of the leaf, and with a quick movement of the
net make him captive. The females were not so alert or active, and
flew low down near the ground, often alighting on the goat- weed to
deposit their eggs.

Species of the genus Apcttura inhabit North and South America,
Europe and Asia, and among them are some of the most brilliantly
colored butterflies known. Their sombre ground colors of dark
brown and black throw into strong relief the flashing green,
blue, purple and lilac with which Nature has so lavishly adorned
them. Sometimes these colors are in the shape of wide bars or
patches, and again even covering the whole surface of the wings, as

228

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

seen in certain lights. The insects are supplied with long, clubbed
antennae, a stout thorax furnishing room for the powerful muscles to
move their strong wings, and a short, small abdomen. They are ex-
ceedingty active, and fly with great rapidity, although their flight is
not usually long sustained. The under side of the wings is usually
adorned with eye-like spots. In some species these are numerous, in
others there is but one to each side. Several of the most beautiful
species inhabit Mexico and Central America.

Apatura clyton. Male.

Our best known of the four species of this genus inhabiting the
eastern half of the United States is Apatura clyton. There is a
good deal of difference in size between the sexes, as will be seen by
reference to the illustrations. The upper wings of the male are
light rusty brown on the inner half, the outer half being dark brown.
Two irregular rows of large rusty yellow spots are located on the
outer half, the inner row margined on the inner side by a black line.
A row of tawny spots runs along the outer margin, beginning large
at the lower angle and growing smaller and finally fading out toward
the apex of the wing. Two uneven black marks are placed just
below the upper margin on the inner third. The lower wings al¬
most reverse the coloring of the upper pair, and with the exception
of the concave inner margin, which is yellowish gray, the inner half
of the wing is reddish brown and the outer half reddish yellow or
tawny orange. The veins are dark brown, the outer margin brown.
Six roundish black spots extend in an irregular line from near the
upper margin across the wing to near the lower angle. The thorax
and abdomen are greenish brown. The spots and markings of the

NYMPHALID^E.

229

upper side of the upper wings are reproduced below, but are fainter,
and over the whole surface is a pinkish tinge. This extends over
the lower wings also, which are more sombre, and lack the tawny

Apatura clyton. Female.

orange area of the upper side. The inner half next the body is
grayish brown, then comes an irregular band of pale yellow, grow¬
ing darker and blending into the other color toward the lower angle ;

then a wide area of pinkish brown, containing seven black spots, en¬
circled with narrow rings of rusty brown, and pupilled with blue,
the lowest spot being double ; lastly, there are two wavy brown
lines following the outer margin, with a faint yellowish line between
them. The thorax and abdomen yellowish gray, the legs light. The

230

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

female is not marked so strikingly, and is more yellowish above.
The tawny orange patch is lacking on the lower wings, but the large
black spots are encircled with rings of reddish yellow. The under
side is pale, and most of the markings are softly blended. The
round spots are indicated below with obscure spots of brown, only
one or two of which have blue centres. A fine line of white runs
along the outer margins of both wings. The thorax and abdomen
are yellowish gray.

Apatura clyton. Dimorphic form.

A dimorphic form is occasionally taken, in which the lower wing,
except the inner third, is dark brown, with a row of large black
spots encircled with red brown, outside of which are several vague

Chrysalis of Apatura clyton.

crescents of a tawny color. This form has been given the name of
variety ocellata.

The female of this species lays its eggs, which are yellowish
white, on the hackberry in a compact patch, usually on the under
side of a leaf. The larva is light green in color, striped with yel-

NYMPHALID^E.

281

low. It is rough and firm to the touch, the posterior extremity is
prolonged into two short tails, and the head is adorned with curious
spiny projections or branching horns, which have suggested the
name of antlers to some authors. There is but one brood in a sea¬
son, and the half-grown larvae for the next summer’s butterflies win¬
ter in a torpid state The chrysalis is yellowish green and somewhat
angular.

This butterfly, like all the other members of the genus Apatura
with which I am acquainted, is a strong and rapid flyer. It frequents
the outskirts of woods and groves, and often alights on the trunks
of trees. It is very pugnacious, giving battle to all intruders on
its chosen domain. The butterfly makes its appearance in July, and
it inhabits the southern and southwestern states.

Apatura celtis. Male.

A smaller species than those preceding is Apatura celtis. The
upper wings are greenish gray or olive gray on their lower half, the
upper half being dark brown. Two irregular rows of pale yellow¬
ish spots, the outer one extending hut half across the wing from the
upper margin, are located on the outer half . Two short black marks
are placed just below the upper margin. These are bordered exter¬
nally with pale yellow spots. One black eye-spot, enclosed in a
tawny ring, is situated at the lower end of the outward line of yel¬
lowish spots. A line of faint tawny spots follows the outer margin.
The veins are black. The lower wings have a slightly reddish
tinge in comparison with the upper pair, and are darker near their
base. A light area on the outer half of the wing contains several
small black spots, and outside of these are two dark brown wavy

232

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

lines. On the outer margin of all four wings is a narrow white
line, interrupted with black at the ends of the veins. The thorax is
bluish black, the abdomen brown. The under surface is lighter, the
inner half of all four wings being gray with a slightly bluish cast.
The outer half is grayish brown. The markings of the upper side
are repeated below in a general way. There is an extra eye-spot

Apatura celtis. Male. Under side.

with a whitish dot near the apex of the fore wing, and the black
spots on the lower wings are pupilled with blue. The thorax aud
legs are yellowish gray, and the abdomen rusty. The larva feeds on
the leaves of the hackberry. It is light green, with a row of yellow
spots on its back and yellow lines along its sides. Its head is
adorned with horns as in other species.

My brothers had some experience in capturing this butterfly near
Chillicothe, Ohio, in the month of July. It was most plentiful near
trees, often alighting on their trunks. When disturbed it flew very
rapidly in an eccentric manner for a short distance and then alighted
suddenly. Several times the insects lit on their clothing and nets,
and once or twice actually on their faces. The habitat of this species
is the southern and western states. It does not live farther north
than the middle of Ohio, and I have never known of a specimen being
taken in New England.

In Apatura flora the ground color is reddish tan, with the mark¬
ings and spots strong and sharply defined. The wings are margined
with a heavy dark brown band, and the eye-spots on the lower pair
are large and conspicuous.

The female is a good deal larger than her mate, but is much
paler in coloring, the wings being also without the heavy dark brown

NYMPHALIDiE.

233

margins peculiar to the male. The eye-spots are large and con¬
spicuous.

Apatura flora.

This is a common insect in Florida and along the gulf states to
Texas, where it has much the same habits as the other species of the
genus.

Apatura alicia

Another insect belonging to this genus whose habitat is Florida
and the gulf states is Apatura alicia. The ground color of the upper
side is reddish fawn, paler toward the outer margins. The markings
and spots are very distinct, and the outer half of the upper wings is
black with white and light yellow spots. The wings are margined
with a broad line of brown. The female is somewhat paler, and is
also larger than the male.

234

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

This species may be easily distinguished from Apatura flora and
Apatura clyton by the eye-spot on the upper side of the upper wing
near the outer margin. Apatura celtis has this spot, but the insect is
smaller and more sombre in color than the present species.

The genus Limenitis is distinguished by having straight and slen¬
der antennae, with a gradual thickening toward the end instead of a
distinct club. The lower wings are scalloped. This genus comprises
several very tine butterflies inhabiting the eastern half of the coun¬
try, while two or three more occur in the west. The larvae are inter¬
esting from their peculiar manner of hibernating, and also on account
of the humps and horns with which their bodies are adorned. They
are of various colors, being generally mottled and spotted in a strik¬
ing manner.

Limenitis Ursula. Male.

A very beautiful species of this genus, and one with which almost
every young collector is familiar, is Limenitis Ursula. The butterfly
is plentiful in June, and may most often be seen about damp places
on the roads, where it is usually so intent on sipping the dirty water
that it may be easily taken. After it is once alarmed it is a very
difficult insect to capture, as it flies rapidly and is very wary. Some¬
times a second brood makes its appearance early in September. In
Massachusetts it is not often common at that time of year, but in
Ohio and others of the western states the second brood is sometimes
as numerous as the first, and under the sweet apple and pear trees I

NYMPHALIDiE.

235

have often seen many of these fine butterflies resting on the half-
decayed fruit, slowly opening and shutting together their blue, pur¬
ple and black wings, the, picture of satisfied contentment. They are
very tame under these circumstances, and one may with caution
move quite close to them and enjoy their rare beauty.

How many happy hours slip away while one is thus engaged in
watching and admiring ! What a school this study of entomology is
for the children ! It takes them into the sunny fields, gives them
plenty of exercise, and fills their minds with pleasant and interesting
thoughts. A boy with a net in his hand, a cyanide bottle, and plenty

of insect papers in his pockets, and with a little encouragement in
the right direction from his parents, is not the boy who is likely, to
get into mischief. Ilis mind and time are too well occupied for that.

But I am wandering from my subject. There is usually some dif¬
ference in size between the sexes of this species of Limenitis , the male
being the smaller and also the brighter in coloring. The spots of
color are usually more sharply defined in the male, and the deep
orange spots on the under side are larger and more intense. Occa¬
sionally specimens are captured, and these are always males according
to my experience, which are a deep rich purple over nearly all of the
upper surface. These captures are rare, but the insects are so

286

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

beautiful that, when successful, one will consider the time well spent
in striving at them.

This species is found over the whole of the eastern United States,

Limenitis. Hybrid. Male.

except the most northern part, where another allied insect, Limenitis
arthemis,[ takes its place. Hybrids between these two species, or what
are supposed to be such by naturalists, are occasionally taken. These
vary from insects which show a slight trace of the white bars across the

Limenitis. Hybrid.

Male. Under side.

wings, to those in which the bars are almost as conspicuous as in the
following described species. The coloring of the rest of the insect is
similar to Limenitis Ursula. The larva is a curiously shaped and

p pi 1 1 wi|iiiiwi!i!ii'j,iiiiipiAin» wm i •

■

Upper Side

LIMENITIS URSULA

■

i. -

NYMPHALIDiE.

237

strikingly marked creature. Its body is humped, and rough horns
are placed on the forward part of the body. Its colors are brown,
white and green, dark at either end, but spotted and variegated in
such a way that the insect is difficult to see while feeding, or at rest

Limenitis. Hybrid. Female.

on its food plant, the oak, wild cherry or willow, and looks not unlike
that of Limenitis disippus ; so much so that a person can never be
sure when he finds one (particularly as both species live on much the

Larva of Limenitis Ursula.

same plants), which butterfly it will eventually make. There is
frequently a good deal of variation in these larvae, even when full
grown, some specimens being chocolate brown, and almost black
toward the head and tail, while others are light green, with a white
band over the back, and a brown head and tail. Each of the last
brood of the season, while the caterpillars are very minute, makes a
silk lined tube enclosed in a small leaf at the end of a twig. This

238

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES .

ingeniously made little habitation, to which the caterpillar always
leaves the shrivelled end of the leaf attached to serve as a porch or
veranda on which to crawl out, serves as its winter home. This leaf

Chrysalis of Limenitis Ursula. Chrysalis of Limenitis artliemis.

is attached by silk to the twig, and here it weathers the blasts of
winter, securely fastened. After the other leaves have fallen in the
autumn, these “ hibernacula,” as they are called, may be easily found
and kept in a cool place till the next season, when the broods. may be
started as soon as the buds begin to open. The chrysalis is as peculiar
in shape as the larva, being angular, with a flat projection at the back.
It is brown, gray, white and pinkish, the brown predominating.

Limenitis arthemis. Male.

Limenitis arthemis , although a somewhat smaller butterfly than
the preceding is, nevertheless, a very fine insect. The habitat of
this species is much more northern than the last described insect,
being found throughout the northern part of the United States east

NYMPHALlDiE.

239

of the Rocky Mountains, and extending well up into Canada. The
butterfly makes its appearance early in J illy, and in some of the hilly
and mountainous districts of New Hampshire is a common butterfly
at this time. Near Jackson, and along the Glen road between that
place and the base of Mount Washington, is a good locality for this
insect during the right season. It is quite abundant at and about
Sunapee Lake, and I have taken a good many fine specimens of this
and the preceding butterfly near the Sunapee steamboat landing. It
frequently alights in the road and on the wayside bushes, and is not
very shy, although a good flyer when alarmed. This butterfly is on
rare occasions seen as far south as Boston, Mass., and a good many
specimens have been taken at Mount Wachusett, near Princeton, in
that State. There is little difference in the sexes except as to size,

Limenitis artliemis. Female.

the female being the larger. The caterpillar much resembles that
of Limenitis Ursula and Limenitis dissipus , both as to shape and color¬
ing, except that as a general thing there is more brown and reddish
brown. The larva hibernates in the same way as the preceding
species, and in the next season completes its growth, making a chrysalis
which, except in its smaller size, closely resembles the other native
species of this genus.

An insect, which in its coloring differs greatly from most of the

240

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

other species of the genus, and closely resembles the butterfly Danais
archippus , which is common throughout the United States, is Limenitis
disippus. This resemblance is thought by naturalists to be more

Limenitis disippus. Male.

than accidental ; that in fact it is a case of unconscious mimicry, in
which a butterfly supposedly of good flavor and therefore eatable to
birds has, with possibly a slight resemblance at first, by natural selection
become more and more like a bitter tasting and therefore uneatable
species, until it is an almost exact mimic of it. These examples of
mimicry are not rare among many of the butterflies, particularly of
tropical countries, and some exceedingly interesting examples have
been discovered.

I well remember, when a little boy, thinking that these two but¬
terflies were the same species, and I was sorely puzzled to know how
two different kinds of “ worms ” making two totally different looking
chrysalides could possibly hatch out into one and the same kind of but¬
terfly. It was not until I had hatched a good many that the truth
gradually dawned upon me. These butterflies may be reared in
numbers by searching out the hibernacula during the fall and winter,
and starting them on the first leaves of spring. They should be care¬
fully guarded against parasites of various kinds, as the collector may
repeat the experience of my brothers, who, having a number, put them
to feed out of doors enclosed in netting. By some means the parasites
made an entrance, and out of several hundred larvse they managed to

• *

s..ii '

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

Upper Side

Under Side

LIMENITIS DISIPPUS

NYMPH ALIDiE.

241

secure four perfect insects. The parasite is undoubtedly the most
serious obstacle to the successful rearing of butterflies', and one must
be constantly on the watch or his labors may count for naught.

Limenitis disippus. Female.

This Limenitis is the most common species of the genus in the
east, and maybe seen in June about willows or poplars, on which the
larvae feed. Although most of the last brood of larvae hibernate over
winter in their silk lined tubes, or cases, at the ends of the twigs, a
good many complete their transformations in the late summer and
fall of the year, and the perfect insects may be taken in September.
The tiny green eggs, covered with a network pattern, are deposited
singly by the female near the tips of the leaves. The young larvae
are almost black, but when nearly full grown assume almost the exact
shape and color of Limenitis Ursula. The chrysalis is also very simi¬
lar to that species. The butterfly is not wary nor a rapid flyer, and
may be easily taken. It usually frequents the edges of lines of
bushes along rivers and brooks, and sometimes alights in the roads
with other species of butterflies. This insect inhabits the whole of
the United States.

Another butterfly, much resembling the preceding in shape and
markings, but of a mahogany color in place of the reddish orange of
the other species, is Limenitis eros. The black borders of the wings

242

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

are very heavy and the white spots show out in strong contrast.
The general color is so dark that while on the wing the insect looks
almost black. The larva of this butterfly feeds on the willow, and

Limenitis eros.

with its chrysalis is very like that of the last-described insect. It is
probably only a well-marked variety of that form. The butterfly is
found in many parts of the south, being common in Florida.

Victorina includes a few butterflies of good size and beautiful
coloring. The ground color is dark brown or black relieved with
wide bars and large oval spots of green. They are inhabitants of
tropical America, and but one species strays into the southern parts
of our country.

Victorina steneles is a large and strikingly handsome species, the
large bands and spots of light pea green contrasting in a bold
manner with the dark ground color. The under side is a most
peculiar combination of colors ; the ground is light yellowish brown
and the green spots of the upper side show through below, though
they are larger and more yellowish and a number of them are
partially outlined with dark brown. As viewed in a side light the
surface has a slightly satiny lustre.

This insect is very common in the low and hotter parts of Mexico
near the coast, as well as in some of the islands of the West Indies,

Upper side.

NYMPH ALID^E.

245

and I have had many sent me from Para, Brazil. It inhabits open
country near forests, and is often seen with other butterflies at rest
on the muddy banks of streams.

A very interesting as well as exceedingly beautiful group of but¬
terflies is comprised in the genus Ageronia. These are inhabitants
of Central and South America and the two species included in our
fauna must be regarded as stragglers from lands farther south. The
insects belonging to this group are of good size and are richly
colored with spots and irregular lines, various shades of blue, brown
and light gray predominating in some species. One of the most

Ageronia ferona.

beautiful is an intense blue black witli spots of light blue above and
red spots beneath. Another has a very pleasing pattern of blue
spots and lines on a black ground above, while beneath a large part
of the surface is bright red. These butterflies are frequently seen in
the neighborhood of dwellings among scattered trees, and invariably
alight on their trunks head downwards, with the wings spread wide
open. They are exceedingly pugnacious, engaging in fierce battles
with one another, and driving away other butterflies who may
venture near their chosen retreat. Most curious to relate, they make
while on the wing a snapping or clicking noise with their wings,
which may be heard at a distance of two or three rods. They are

246

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

easily taken with the net when once one learns their habits, for on
being disturbed they usually fly downward from the tree trunk on
which they are at rest, and the collector placing his net beneath is
almost sure to be rewarded with a capture.

Ageronia ferona is grayish brown with rings and irregular lines
of blue and black. There are a number of large and small white or
light gray spots on the upper wings and a few on the lower pair.

Ageronia ferona. Under side.

The under side is much lighter, being almost white, with black
markings. In very fresh and perfect specimens there is a pinkish
tint with a satiny gloss over the whole surface beneath.

In Ageronia fornax the upper side is colored much like the
preceding insect, but the under side of the lower wings is light
yellowish brown instead of white, and the large spots on the lower
wiugs of Ageronia ferona have almost disappeared in this species.
These two insects are occasionally taken in southern Texas. I know
nothing of the early stages of these butterflies.

To the genera of Hypolimnas belongs a number of good-sized
handsome butterflies, generally dark in color, with purple and blue
reflections and large white spots. These butterflies are confined
almost wholly to the tropics of Asia, Africa and Oceanica and are
frequently very abundant where they are found.

Upper side.

AGERONJ A FORK AX.

NYMPH ALIDiE.

249

Hypolimnas misippus is a common insect in tropical Asia, Africa
and Australia, as well as South America, and is occasionally to be
found within the borders of our own country in southern Florida.
In the males the color is dark purple and blue black with a large
oval white spot near the middle of each fore wing and a small one at
the upper angle. A large circular white spot occupies the middle of
each lower wing. In a ring around the white spots the metallic
purple is most conspicuous and will be seen to the best advantage

Hypolimnas misippus. Male.

when the insect is held in a slanting position with its head toward
the observer, particularly if the light be at his back.

In strong contrast to the male, the female is reddish orange, the
upper wings being blackish brown on the upper and outer portion
with several conspicuous white spots arranged in an irregular row
crossing the outer third of the wing. Two rows of small light spots
follow the outer margin. The lower wings are black bordered,
containing faint orange spots along their outer margin.

The male insect is brown and black below with large white
patches, which in the lower wings cover half their area. The female
is much alike in coloring on both sides.

The female butterfly differs in such a striking manner from the
male that one would never guess that they were related. It has a
decided look like a Danais and is supposed to mimic species of that

250

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

genus. Indeed, so exactly does it imitate an Indian species of
Danais inhabiting the same region with it that no one hut a

Hypolimnas misippus. Male. Under side.

naturalist would ever imagine that they were distinct species belong¬
ing to different genera.

Hypolimnas misippus. Female.

This insect is rather shy and difficult of approach, and when once
alarmed flies rapidly high up into the air. It is fond of the sweets
from flowers, and when at rest on a fragrant blossom intent on
extracting the honey it is most easily captured.

NYMPHALIDiE.

251

An allied but larger species, Hypolimnas bolina , I have seen very
abundant in northern Australia, where the gorse hedges covered with
yellow blossoms were a great attraction to it. One could approach
closely and take these tine insects with little difficulty. Oh ! but
they were beauties, many of them fresh from their chrysalides ; and
when one opened the velvety black and rich, shining blue wings of a
captive, the sight was dazzling and inspiring. One would think
that having so good an opportunity I would have captured all I
would ever be able to dispose of, but I am sorry to say that I have
now but one specimen of the number I took.

Hypolimnas misippus. Female. Underside.

It can hardly be impressed too strongly on the mind of the col¬
lector that he should lay in large numbers of any good thing which
he may find particularly abundant at any time.

The beginner frequently starts with the idea that he will make a
collection containing one specimen of each species found in his
immediate neighborhood. I remember hearing a little boy talking
with his sister, to whom he had loaned his new butterfly net, and
who had just come in with three splendid specimens of Papilio
turnus , something after this fashion: “ How many of these things
do you think I want, anyway? I just caught two myself. Now
don’t get any more, for goodness’ sake.” W ell, after he has made a
start he begins to notice that all specimens of the same species are

252

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

not alike ; the males and females differ, and interesting varieties are
occasionally taken. Then he wishes to show both the upper and the
under side of the species, and at length he falls in with some other
beginner who wants to exchange, and he then thinks of the many
good specimens he might have collected. His ideas enlarge with his
collections ; his collector friends and his need for good specimens for
exchange constantly increase, and the truth finally dawns on him
that large numbers of first-class specimens are not only a conven¬
ience but almost a necessity if he desires to increase his own col¬
lection beyond the limits of those which he can himself capture.

Alfred Russell Wallace once told me that one of the hardest les¬
sons he had to learn in his many years of collecting in tropical coun¬
tries was that it is hardly possible to get too many specimens of a

Timetes petreus.

good species of bird, shell, beetle or butterfly, and that on several
occasions he had retraced his journey hundreds of miles to little
known islands to procure additional specimens of species he had pre¬
viously collected, at the time supposing lie had taken all he would
ever need.

One person can cover but a small portion of the earth’s surface
during a lifetime, and one can expect to collect personally but a

NYMPHALIDiE.

253

small per cent, of the grand insects known. But by exchange the
treasures of distant lands may be accumulated and the pick of the
lepidoptera of the world gathered in one’s cabinets.

Timetes is a genus of butterflies easily recognized, the species
differing widely in general appearance from others of the Nymph-
alidce. The lower wings are furnished with long tails, suggesting
slightly the Papilionidce.

The coloring in some of the species is very pleasing, rich browns
being contrasted with orange and tan, while metallic purple and blue
adorn some of them. Many of the kinds are streaked vertically with
brown and black. The under side is usually much lighter than the
upper. The genus is confined almost wholly to tropical America,
and but a few species are reported as occuring within the borders of
the United States, and these at the extreme south.

Timetes petreus. Under side.

While my brothers were in Colombia, South America, on the
banks of the Magdalena River they found the different species of
Timetes not uncommon, and captured a good number. They fre¬
quented low, open or sparsely wooded districts, and were often seen
about the muddy pools in the roads in company with the various
species of Callidryas. They were not very shy.

254

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

Timetes petreus is very angular in outline, at first sight giving
one the idea that some one had tried the experiment of seeing what
a grotesque creature he could manufacture. The upper wings have
a slight resemblance to those of G-rapta. The tails are long, and
blunt at the ends. The colors of the wings are dark reddish orange
streaked and margined with black. The under side is light brown
of various shades tinged with pink. The body and a narrow band
along the inner margin of the lower wings is light buff.

Timetes coresia. Male.

One of the most strikingly colored species of this genus is Timetes
coresia. The upper side is a rich dark brown deepening to black in
a band across the middle of each wing, with a lighter reddish brown
space along the outer margin of all four wings. In strong contrast
to this dark coloring is the very light under side. The inner half of
the wings is almost pure white with two or three faint lines of brown
crossing them. The outer half is light brown and buff with an irreg¬
ular reddish brown band following the outline of the white area
across the wings. This butterfly is not at all common, and one

NYMPHALIDiE.

255

rarely sees it in small collections of tropical American insects, but
doubtless, like so many creatures which are considered rare, it is
abundant enough in certain localities at certain seasons.

Timetes cliiron.

Xiiuetes chiron. Under side.

A species of this genus, which is not rare within the borders of
the United States, and which in Central America may be taken in

256

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

numbers, is Timetes chiron. The wings are brown, streaked verti¬
cally with heavy black bands, and with a few light dots upon the
outer third of the upper wings. The body is black and dark brown.
On the under side the color is much lighter, particularly the inner
half of the wings, which is light gray with a pinkish tinge streaked
with lines of tan and bordered outwardly with a wide band of creamy
white. The outer half of the wings is light purplish brown with
numerous vague lines and markings of tan, purple and bluish black.
The body is creamy white below. This insect may be found in
Florida and Texas.

A group of small but highly colored butterflies comprises the
genus Callicore. The upper surface of the wings is usually velvety
black, sometimes with deep purple or blue reflections to be seen in
certain lights. Bars of brilliant shining blue or purple usually cross

Callicore clymena.

both wings. The under side is totally different from the upper,
bright vermilion or deep pink usually occupying the greater part of
the upper wings, while the lower pair are white or light gray and
adorned with curious lines and markings, which in several of the
species look like rude figures and letters.

Tropical America is the home of this genus, and at the end of the
wet season the muddy roads through the luxuriant forests are often
enlivened by the brilliant patches of color displayed by groups of
these little butterflies at rest sipping the moisture from the pools.
When disturbed they rise in a little cloud, displaying the deep red
and flashing blue as they flit about, making an animated and highly
colored picture.

NYMPHALIDiE.

257

Although several kinds of these interesting butterflies inhabit
Mexico and Central America, but one species is found within the
United States. This is Callicore clymena , and, like most of the others
of this group of butterflies, it is a bright and pretty insect. The
upper surface is deep black with a wide band of satiny bluish green
crossing the upper wings diagonally, with a line of the same color
following the outer margin of the lower wings. A few scattering
blue scales are usually to be seen next the base of the upper wings,
and a small white spot is located near the upper angle. The body
is black. On the under side the upper wings from their base out¬
ward are crimson for two-tliirds of their area. This color is mar¬
gined outwardly with a heavy black band, beyond which are two
light gray lines and two black lines occupying the triangular space
at the point of the wing. The lower wings are light gray, in some
specimens brownish gray. These are marked in the characteristic
manner of the genus with black lines and figures which resemble
clumsily made letters or numbers, the general character of which can
be best understood by reference to the accompanying illustration.

Callicore clymena. Under side.

The upper margin of the wings is adorned witli a band of crimson.
The body is gray beneath ; the antennae are black tipped with
yellow.

This butterfly is very common in Mexico, Central America and
Colombia, and my brothers took many specimens in the latter country
while there. They were frequently seen in clusters on the dark mud
on the banks of streams resting with their wings spread. They were
not shy, but when disturbed rose a short distance above the ground-,
and flew about in a confused manner. The only locality where

258

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

this insect is found within the borders of our country is in the
southern part of Florida.

The genus Eunica contains many very richly colored butterflies
of medium size. The ground color is often deep black or brown
with bars or patches of rich shining blue or purple in some species,

Eunica momma. Upper side.

while in others the blue or purple extends almost over the whole
surface of the wings when the insect is held in certain lights.
The under side is often prettily colored with different shades of
brownish gray tinged with pink or purple, relieved with spots and
markings of deep brown or blue black.

Eunica monima. Under side.

These insects are numerous both in species and individuals in
tropical America, where they often congregate on the muddy banks
of streams during the hot, quiet hours of the morning. They are not
very swift flyers, and the native collectors of Colombia capture large
numbers of 'them. Even in small collections from that country one

NYMPH ALIDJE.

259

will often see the rich blue and purple of several of these insects
among other butterfly habitants of that tropical land. Their scales
are very easily loosened and their coloring is so dark and rich that a
slight touch on the wings with the fingers will seriously injure a
specimen. The native Indian collectors are very careless in their
manner of handling the insects the}^ capture, and it is sometimes
enough to make one’s heart ache to see some rare and gorgeous little
creature, that would delight a collector and pay him for a day of hard
exertion, ruined by the clumsy finger-marks of its Indian captor, who
simply looked upon this specimen, with hundreds of others, as a
means of purchasing a keg of rum.

Our own native species, Eunica monima , is a rather plain insect,
being brown above with slightly purple reflections, while beneath it
is brownish gray tinged with pink, having a few faint yellowish spots
on the upper wings and faint lines of brown on the lower pair. It is
occasionally taken in southern Florida.

Eurema letlie.

Another straggler from tropical America, which is occasionally
found north of Mexico in Texas, is Eurema letlie.

The genus to which it belongs is not a large one, and is mostly
confined to Central and South America. This insect is marked in a
bold manner, and, although not displaying the iridescent tints of
many of the butterflies from the same region, it is rich, in coloring.

260

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

The ground color on the upper wings is brownish orange with heavy
black bands. The lower pair are of a darker shade with spots and
markings of black. The body is brown with a slightly greenish
tinge on the thorax. Beneath the ground color of the upper wings
and the upper half of the lower wings is buff yellow, the lower half

Eurema letlie. Under side.

being wood brown. Over both sets of wings are numerous brown
markings, the general character of which may be readily understood
by reference to the illustration. The insects from which these figures
were made were taken in Colombia by my brothers. The butterfly
is a strong and rapid flyer, having a stout thorax with powerful mus¬
cles for the rapid movement of the wings.

Another genus of butterflies, whose home is tropical America, is
Anartia. There are but three or four species belonging to this
genus, and but one inhabits the southern part of the United States.
These insects are of medium size and plain in colors, though not
without a certain beauty.

Our native species, Anartia jatrophce, is light gray with brown
and black markings and spots, and having a reddish or yellowish
brown double row of crescent-shaped spots following the outer mar¬
gins of both sets of wings. Individuals vary a good deal in intensity
of coloring, some being almost white in ground color, the outer
margins of the wings being yellowish, while others are dark brown
along the margins, with but little red or yellow. The under side is
light creamy white shading to gray, with pale bars of brown and the

NYMPHALIDiE.

261

round black spots of the upper side. A red line follows the shape of
the wings a short distance in from the outer margins, and several

Anartia jatroplise. Male.

other red lines accompany the brown markings on both sets of wings.
A faint ring of red surrounds the black spots on the lower wings.

Anartia jatroplise. Female.

The illustrations will give a better idea of the insect than any de¬
scription. The sexes differ a good deal in size, but are otherwise
marked much alike.

262

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

This insect is very common near the city of Para, at the
mouth of the Amazon. Here it inhabits grassy districts, and when
alarmed rises but a short distance above tire grass tops in its

Anartia jatroplise. Under side.

flight. It is slow on the wing and is not difficult to capture. It
is found within the borders of our country, in southern Florida and
Texas.

Junonia is a genus containing some very prettily marked and
spotted butterflies. Most of the species are found within the tropics
both of the Old and the New Worlds.

One of the handsomest species of this genus is Junonia ccenia.
It varies a good deal in coloring, especially on the under side, which
in some specimens is a yellowish gray and in others a maroon gray.
Also in the size of the eye-like spots of the upper side there is a good
deal of variation. This insect is sometimes found as far north as
Massachusetts, numbers having been taken the last two seasons in
the town of Medford in that State. In the south and west it is
sometimes very abundant, and I have seen it near Stockton, in Cali¬
fornia, during July, one of the commonest of butterflies. It haunts
open fields, and among the low flowering plants it delights to sport.
Although a good flyer, it is not very shy. The caterpillar is dark,
varying from brown to brownish purple, darker on the back, and
having pale strides on the sides. It is adorned with numerous
branching spines along the sides and back. It feeds on the leaves
of the plantain.

(

...

■

‘

. •

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

JUNONIA COENIA

PYRAMEIS ATALANTA

♦

NYMPHALIDiE.

263

The chrysalis is stout and somewhat angular, having spines along
the back of the abdominal part. It is usually brown in color, some¬
times yellowish brown, with the tips of the spines reddish.

Junonia genoveva. Male,

In the extreme southern part of the country is found another
species of this genus, Junonia genoveva. The insect is a good deal
darker than Junonia coenia , but is otherwise marked much like it.

Junonia genoveva. Male. Underside.

The ground color of the wings is dark brown, and in some specimens
a dark greenish shade is noticeable, particularly on the lower wings.
1 have never seen the insect alive, and the specimens here figured
were taken in Colombia, South America, by my brothers.

264

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

Another form, Junonia lavinia , is lighter in general coloring
than either of the preceding, but is marked very similar to the
last named species. The upper wings are more pointed, and the
lower pair have more prominent points on their outer margins
than our other native species.

Junonia genoveva. Female.

Some of the most beautiful as well as the most widely distributed
and best known butterflies are included in the three genera of Pyra-
meis, Vanessa and Grrapta.

In Pyrameis the wings are scalloped, but not angular, the larvse
are armed with branching spines, and they live a solitary life within
a rolled leaf. The chrysalides are angular on the sides, and on the
back of the thorax is a sharp ridge. Rows of small tubercles follow
down the hack of the abdomen. The chrysalides are often objects of
great beauty, looking as if made in part or wholly of gold, and
highly polished. This brilliant coloring is gradually lost as the time
for the hatching of the butterfly draws near.

A very pretty butterfly is Pyrameis atalanta , and the bars of
orange red on its dark wings make it a very conspicuous object, and
one of the first to adorn the cabinet of the young entomologist. It
frequently hibernates over winter and is among the earliest butter¬
flies to make its appearance in the spring, though such specimens are
usually very much faded and worn and look as if the frosts of winter

NYMPHALIDiE.

265

had bleached them. The insect is said to hibernate in the chrysalis
state also, but I have never been able to find the chrysalides in
winter.

The first bro.od usually hatches in July, while the second begins
to come out in September, and specimens may be seen from then on
till it is too cold for them to fly. They are very partial to decaying

sweet apples or pears, and when contentedly sucking the half fer¬
mented cider are easily approached and captured. Rum and mo¬
lasses, the same bait used for moths, is attractive to this insect,
and one may sometimes see several of these butterflies at a time
about the bait, especially if there are no strong smelling flowers or
decayed fruits near. An over-ripe banana split in halves is an
excellent bait for this and several other allied butterflies.

The coloring of the under side of the wings is protective, and
when the insect has alighted on an old rail or the trunk of a tree
with its wings closely pressed together it is a difficult object to see.
Its flight is strong and rapid, and although so bright an object while
on the wing it is abundantly able to take care of itself. Mr. Harris,
in his “Insects Injurious to Vegetation,” gives a very well written
account of the habits of this insect in its larva state, which I have
thought best to insert here. He says : “ The atalanta butterfly was
probably introduced into America from Europe with the common
nettle, which it inhabits. It deposits its eggs in May upon the
youngest and smallest leaves of this plant, being cautious to drop
only one upon a single leaf. The young caterpillar is guarded
against injury from the poison prickles of the leaf by the numerous
branching spines with which it is covered, and which, being longer
than the prickles, prevent its body from coming in contact with the
latter. The head is covered with a tough shell, which sufficiently
protects this part, while its strong and horny jaws are adapted for
cutting and chewing the leaves and their prickles with impunity.

266

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

As soon as the caterpillar is hatched, it spins a little web to cover
itself, securing the threads all round to the edges of the leaf, so as to
bend upwards the sides and form a kind of trough, in which it
remains concealed. One end of the cavity is open, and through this
the caterpillar thrusts its head while eating. It begins with the
extremity of the folded leaf, and eats downwards, and, as it gradu¬
ally consumes its habitation, it retreats backwards, till at last,
having, as it were, eaten itself out of house and home, it is forced to
abandon its imperfect shelter, and construct a new one. This is
better than the first, for the insect has become larger and stronger,
and withal more skilful from experience. The sides of the larger
leaf selected for its new habitation are drawn together by silken
threads, so that the edges of the leaf meet closely and form a light
and commodious cavity, which securely shelters and completely con¬
ceals the included caterpillar. This in time is eaten like the first,
and another is formed in like manner. At length the caterpillar
having eaten up and constructed several dwellings in succession, and
changed its skin three or four times, comes to its full size, leaves off
eating and seeks a suitable place in which to undergo its transforma¬
tions. The young caterpillars are almost black ; the full-grown
ones measure about one inch and a half, are generally of a brown
color more or less dotted with white, with a black head, rough with
elevated white points, with white branching spines on the back, and
on each side there is a row of yellow crescents. The chrysalis is
gray, with a whitish bloom upon it like that on a plum, and the
little pointed tubercles on its back are gold colored. The chrysalis
state continues about ten days, or longer if the weather be cool and
wet.”

The caterpillars of this butterfly are frequently so abundant as to
almost strip the leaves from the nettles, and being protected as they
are from the sight of their enemies one would naturally think that
their chances of life in the struggle for existence were very good.
However, if a number of the full-grown larvae are collected and ex¬
amined, one will soon see the eggs of the ichneumon flies, for these
parasites have very sharp eyes and even in his curled-leaf home the
caterpillar of Pyrameis atalanta is not exempt from the fate that
awaits ninety-nine one-hundredths of his relatives of other species.

A butterfly having almost a world-wide range is Pyrameis cardui.
This insect has succeeded in establishing itself over Europe, Asia, a
good part of North and South America and the Sandwich Islands,

NYMPHALIDiE.

267

and varieties or closely allied forms are found in New Zealand and
Australia. It does seem strange indeed in a land where the trees,
flowers, birds and mammals are all new to one and where every few
steps bring one in contact with something never before seen, to
suddenly come upon a bright little butterfly as well known as the
faces of one’s near relatives, and looking, like the other inhabitants
of the country, perfectly at home. It is like meeting a friend of
one’s childhood in a distant land.

The insect is double-brooded in our latitude, the butterflies of the
first brood making their appearance early in June and others later
in August. Flowers are very attractive to this insect, and in
favored seasons a patch of the second growth of clover will be found
a good hunting ground for them. They are agile and restless
creatures, seldom remaining long in one spot, and flying very rapidly
when once alarmed. In neglected pastures, where thistles, the food
plant of the larva, abound, one may usually look for this insect with
good prospects of finding it plentiful. The species is very common
in Tennessee, and the largest and finest specimens I have ever seen
came from that State. In fact, those from which the transfers for
this work were made are from that region.

Besides the thistle the caterpillar feeds on the leaves of the
burdock and sunflower, and with silken webs curls over the edge of
the leaf beneath which it lives and feeds, finally, as in the preceding
species rendering its home uninhabitable and constructing a new
one. The caterpillar is dark brown or black striped with yellowish
brown on the sides, and is armed with , many branching spines of a
gray color tipped with black. The chrysalis, which is often sus¬
pended from the under side of a leaf of its food plant, is an exceed¬
ingly beautiful object, being brown or purple brown with spots of
burnished gold on its sides and back, and looking more like a
jewelled ear-ring than the nymph of a butterfly.

Another butterfly closely related to the preceding and looking
much like it in all three stages of its existence is Pyrameis huntera.
In habits it also much resembles Pyrameis eardui, while the cater¬
pillar feeds on the same plants. When fresh and perfect this is one
of the most beautiful of butterflies, the rings and lines on the under
side of the wings of delicate tints being arranged in a very pleasing
manner. This insect is found over all of temperate North America,
and with Pyrameis eardui and Pyrameis atalanta is frequently seen
in the fields of clover and on the blossoms of the thistle.

268

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

A very curious form of this species was captured in Dover,
Mass., in August of 1898. This specimen is now in my possession
and a figure of each side of it is here given. The colors above are

Pyrameis liuntera.

streaked and run together and beneath the wings are almost white
on their outer portion. Unfortunately the specimen was damaged
before it reached me. What could cause such a variation in the

Pyrameis liuntera. Under side.

color and markings of a single individual it is difficult to say. Such
variations are rare, but in catching hundreds of specimens they now
and then come to the net of the collector.

;vr: . . .. ■ : .

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

Upper Side

PYRAMEIS HUNTERA

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

Upper Side

Under Side

VANESSA ANTIOPA

NYMPHALIDiE.

269

In the genus Vanessa the insects are of medium size, and their
wings are notched or somewhat angular in outline. They inhabit
the temperate regions of the earth and are strong and hardy butter¬
flies, frequently withstanding the rigors of a semi-arctic winter in a
torpid state and reappearing the first warm days among the earlier
harbingers of spring.

The Vanessa antiopa is one of our commonest and best known
butterflies, and, from the ease with which the larvae are gathered and
reared, it is one of the first insects with which the beginner is likely
to become acquainted in all its stages.

The butterflies, very worn and faded, make their appearance early
in the spring, coming out from their winter quarters, where they
have hibernated among heaps of stones, beneath the loosened bark of
decayed trees, etc., frequently before the snow has left the ground in
the forests.

The females lay their eggs in clusters on the twigs of the poplar,
elm and willow and on hatching out the dark colored, spiny larvse
live a gregarious existence until they are full grown, when they
separate and, descending the tree on which they have lived, suspend
themselves by the posterior legs to a mat of silk spun beneath the
projecting point of a rock in a stone wall, or under the top board of
some fence, to await their transformation to the chrysalis state.
These larvae frequently damage the shade-trees in our suburban
towns to no small extent.

The larva when fully grown is dark brown in color with a row of
red spots running down the middle of the back. It is covered with
formidable branching spines, and the caterpillars are often clustered
together on a branch in such a mass as to make it bend down with
their weight. One will often see the sidewalks sprinkled with their
droppings, the branches overhead being stripped of their leaves by
these insects.

The chrysalis is angular and spiny, of a brown or purple brown
color, with rows of reddish colored tubercles on the back of the
abdomen.

If one wishes to watch the transformation from larva to chrysalis
and from chrysalis to butterfly, there is no insect, to my knowledge,
where the whole process is so easily studied. The caterpillars may
be procured by the hundred when nearly full grown, and by putting
them in a roomy box with a few handfuls of fresh leaves one will
have the satisfaction of seeing them attach themselves to the cover

270

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

within a few days from the time they were gathered. Their change
to the chrysalis state is an interesting operation, and by placing the
box cover in a horizontal position, where one can watch it from
below, the minutest detail in the process may be watched with ease.
Then, too, one has not long to wait for the butterflies to hatch, and
in this way a fine lot of perfect specimens is assured.

Chrysalis of Vanessa.

On emerging from its chrysalis the butterfly voids a red colored
liquid which looks somewhat like drops of blood. As many of these
butterflies and allied species frequently hatch at about the same
time, the sprinkling of this red liquid on the streets and houses of
towns has given rise in olden times, among the superstitious inhab¬
itants, to stories of showers of blood which were supposed to foretell
disasters or wars.

This butterfly inhabits Europe, and is supposed to have been
introduced into America from there. It is not common in England,
and the collector there capturing a fine specimen considers he has
taken a prize.

A much smaller but bright and attractive butterfly is Vanessa
milberti. It is a much more northern species in its range than the
preceding, being rarely found in the southern or middle portion of
the United States. It is, however, common in northern New Eng¬
land and Canada, and, like the preceding, makes its appearance early
in the spring and again later in the summer.

The larva, which is dark and covered with short spines, feeds on
the nettle and leads a gregarious life in the earlier part of its exist¬
ence. The butterfly is a wary and agile little creature, frequently
opening and closing its wings in a sudden and nervous manner while
at rest, as if it were impatient to be off. The under side, like that of
Vanessa antiopa , is protective in coloring, rendering it difficult to see
until it opens its wings. It is rare at my home in Wellesley, and we

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

Upper Side

Under Side

VANESSA MILBERTI

NYMPHALIDiE.

271

seldom take more than two or three specimens in a season, but I
have obtained many fine ones from Ontario, Canada, where a friend
rears them from the egg. An allied species of about the same size
is found plentifully in the foothills in northern California. This is
Vanessa californica , and it much resembles the European form
Vanessa polychloros.

To the genus Grrapta belong several butterflies inhabiting Europe
and America, whose wings are very angular in outline and bear near
the centre of the lower pair on the under side a silvery mark, sug¬
gesting in some instances a letter or a figure. From these rather
fancied resemblances some of the species have received their names.
These butterflies are of medium size and handsome in coloring, being
mostly some shade of orange or reddish brown with black or brown
markings. The outlines of their wings, too, like the lines of a fast
sailing vessel, suggest speed, for they are very active creatures and
even while at rest look alert and ready to take wing the instant
danger threatens. They are very common in Canada and in the
northern and middle parts of the United States.

Grrapta interrogation is is one of the largest of this group of
insects and is certainly one of ihe finest and an ornament to an}^
cabinet. There are two well-marked forms, which are so different in
color as to quite puzzle one at first. The most common form is

272

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

reddish orange on both sets of wings with deep reddish brown or
pinkish brown mottlings extending along the outer portions, which

Grapta interrogationis.

are edged with purple on their outer margins. The wings bear
several black spots. The under side is light reddish brown with a
few faint brown lines.

Grapta interrogationis.

With the other form the upper wings are much the same as in
the form just described, except that they are usually somewhat
darker along their edges and often lack the purple or violet margins.

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

Upper Side

GRAPTA INTERROGATIONS

NYMPH ALIDiE.

273

The lower wings, however, are quite dark, being almost black except
near their base, while the under side of the insect is frequently dark
purplish gray with wide irregular bands of brown.

The silvery spot is quite conspicuous in this form, as the dark
color surrounding it brings it into prominence.

There are two broods in a season, one in June, and the other,
which is much the larger, in September. The butterfly frequently
hibernates during the winter, and, like Vanessa antiopa , makes its
appearance early in the spring.

Grapta iuterrogationis. Under side.

The caterpillar is brown with light yellowish mottlings, and a
yellow stripe low down on each side., The branching spines with
which its body is armed are yellowish tipped with black. It feeds
on the hop, and in some localities does considerable damage. The
elm is also attacked by it, particularly the young trees, but I have
never seen it in sufficient numbers to do them any great injury.

The chiysalis is light brown with a slight purplish tinge and lias
several silvery or golden spots on the back. It is angular and spiny,
with projections like ears on the anterior end, and a sharp ridge at
the back of the thorax.

Like many other butterflies, this species is very partial to half-
decayed sweet fruits, and is often seen with other kinds in autumn
in pear and peach orchards. It is an easy insect to rear in confine¬
ment, but greatly subject to the attacks of parasites.

Several other species of the genus Grrapta are plentiful in the

274

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

northern and eastern states. Three of these look so much alike that
it is difficult for the beginner to separate them, the differences being
most easily recognized from the under side and from the shape of the
silvery mark on the hind wing.

Grapta comma.

In Grrapta comma there are two well-marked forms, as there are in
Grrapta interrogation is. In one form the color of the upper side is

Grapta comma. Underside.

much the same on both sets of wings, being orange with black spots
margined with reddish brown, in which are several orange spots, and
having a purple gray edge. The under side of this form is usually

NYMPHALIDiE.

275

mottled with gray and dark brown, the brown in some specimens
assuming distinct irregular bands, while in others the whole under
surface is a plain grayish brown, often having a pinkish tinge.

Grapta comma.

These differences are well shown in the accompanying figures. The
silvery spot is usually in the shape of a rather sprawling G. In the
other form the upper wings are yellowish tan, while the lower wings
are dark brown, showing very few spots. The under side usually is

Grapta comma. Under side.

much lighter than in the first described form. These two varieties
are not equally abundant, the last described form, in those I have
collected, being in the ratio of about one to six to the former.

276

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES .

The larva feeds on the hop, nettle and elm, and is light yellowish
in color, with whitish spines tipped with black. The chrysalis is
also light, varying from almost white with gray mottlings to light
grayish brown. It has golden markings on its dorsal side.

Grapta comma. Under side.

The habitat of the species is the northern part of the eastern half
of our country, but it also extends into the southern parts of Canada.
Like other members of the genus, it is a very active butterfly, and
while on the wing its movements are so rapid that one can hardly
follow its eccentric flight with the eye. If frightened away from a
favorite retreat it is almost sure to return in a few minutes, and by
stealth it may be easily taken. I have seen it very abundant in
northern Ohio in August and September, where it is probably double-
brooded. It is frequently found about farms and stables, where the
powerful odors probably attract it.

A most beautifully mottled insect on the under side is Grapta
faunus. The outlines of the wings are more notched, and there is
more contrast in the markings of the under side than in any other
eastern species of this genus with which I am acquainted. The
margins of the wings above are dark, and the spots are heavy and
large in proportion to the size of the wings. The under side is
brown and gray with several sharp black lines and a number of
vaguely defined green spots. The markings are all very irregular,
and the general effect is like a bit of torn and decayed bark. Mr.
Comstock states that “ The larva feeds upon black birch, willow, cur¬
rent and wild gooseberry.” I have never seen it, and know nothing

NYMPHALIDiE.

277

of its colors or liabits. The butterfly is much more northern in its
range than the preceding species, and seems to .prefer mountain

Grapta faunus.

districts. I have taken a good many specimens in the hilly parts of
New Hampshire, and it must be abundant in parts of Canada, judg¬
ing by the numbers I have had sent me from different places.

Grapta faunus. Under side.

Another species of Grrapta occurring in the northern part of the
United States and Canada is Grrapta progne. The coloring of
the upper side of the wings resembles that of Grrapta comma , but the
markings below are quite different, being light brown and gray, with¬
out the irregularities of the other species, as there are many fine lines
running diagonally across the wings. The silvery mark is thin and

278

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

L-sliaped, which is perhaps the most distinguishing characteristic.
The larva feeds on the elm and gooseberry.

Grapta progne.

The species Grapta j-album differs a good deal from other species
of this genus, and by some authors is included in the genus Vanessa.

Grapta progne. Under side.

It is a fair sized insect, stout bodied and powerful. The coloring is
rusty yellow, shading to reddish brown, with numerous heavy black
and brown bands and spots. Near the upper angle of the upper wing

NYMPHALIDiE.

279

is a white spot, and below the middle of the upper margin of the
lower wing is another larger white spot. These spots are both

Grapta j-album.

divided into two by a dark vein. The under side is grayish brown,

Grapta j-album. Under side.

having a few lines of black with an irregular greenish line near the
margin. There is considerable variation in the coloring of the under

280

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

side, as the accompanying illustrations will show, some being almost
one plain gray tint, while others are marked with bands of brown,
gray and white.

This is a northern species, ranging over the northern temperate
parts of the continent. I have never seen the larva, but, according
to Mr. W. J. Holland, it feeds on the different species of willow.
Mr. G. H. French says, “ The chrysalis is one inch long, of a beau¬
tiful green color, delicately reticulated, with six golden spots on
the back.” The perfect insect is sometimes very common, especial^
in the hilly portions of New Hampshire, where one may take it in

Grapta j-albuin. Under side.

July in numbers. One of my brothers succeeded in taking several
hundred perfect specimens of this species near Madison, in New
Hampshire, last season. They were wild and shy, but were quite
abundant. They frequented little used country roads, where they
usually rested on the damp earth, sometimes several close together.
When frightened they flew up and alighted on the trunks of poplar-
trees, with their wings folded close together, the gray and brown
color of the side exposed to view giving them the appearance of
partially loosened pieces of bark. When struck at with a net while
on the wing they sometimes feigned death by closing their wings
and falling onto the road, with which their colors readily harmo-

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

NYMPH ALIDiE .

281

nized. They would even suffer themselves to be taken up and
handled without displaying the slightest signs of life, until suddenly
assuming activity they started off at a great speed.

Grapta gracilis.

A species of Grapta , of which I was so fortunate as to obtain
specimens in the White Mountain region of New Hampshire, is
Grapta gracilis. It is a small species, rather dark reddish above

Grapta gracilis. Under side.

with dark brown or black margins to the wings. On the under
side the inner half of the wings is dark brown. This color ends in
a sharp and irregular outline, close to the edge of which the white
silvery mark is located and brought into strong relief.

Outside of this dark area is a light gray band which blends by
insensible degrees into the dark margin of the wings. On close
inspection one will see many short, fine brown lines, which look as

282

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

if made with the point of a very fine pen, distributed over the
greater part of the surface of the under side of the wings. In
habits and mode of flight this butterfly resembles others of the
genus already described. It often alights on the roads where they
traverse woods, and is so active and wary as to make its capture dif¬
ficult. The species is found in northern New England and Canada,
and is generally considered somewhat rare.

The genus Pliyciodes contains a large number of small and
plainly colored butterflies of a tan or brownish orange color with
dark brown or black markings. They are found over all parts of
our country and are usually among the commonest of butterflies,
actually swarming in May and June and again in August and Sep¬
tember. So much alike are the different species that a collection
containing the many kinds will at first give one the impression that
they are all of one or two species with variations. Varieties dif¬
fering both in colors and markings are common, and where the
different species are so much alike, it is scarcely necessary to state
that it is at times exceedingly difficult to separate them.

As the many kinds of these butterflies are interesting only to the
specialist, I shall not weary the reader with figures and descriptions
which must of necessity be very dry and lacking in interest to a
lover of the beautiful, the rare and the curious in Nature.

Pliyciodes tharos is a very common little butterfly in June and
again in August in our fields and meadows, where it delights in
the blossoms of the low plants, several butterflies sometimes being
seen on one flower. It is slow and feeble in flight. The larva feeds
on the plantain, and is dark in color and covered with short bristles.

The genus Melitoea contains a large number of butterflies of
rather small size, which are closely related to Pliyciodes. They
are inhabitants of the north temperate parts of the world, particu¬
larly in mountain districts, and the western part of our country is
rich in species. The genus is well represented in western Nevada
near the base of the Sierra Nevada, where in June several pretty
species may be taken in large numbers.

Our eastern species, Melitoea phaeton , is one of the finest of the
genus, and is a general favorite with collectors. The color is
brownish black witli several rows of buff round spots and crescents
on the outer half of the wings. Along the outer margins of both
sets of wings is a row of brick red spots. The body is black with
several small whitish dots along the sides of the abdomen. On the

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES*

DENTON

Upper Side

Under Side

PHYCIODES THAROS

NYMPHALIDiE.

283

under side the ground color is not so dark. The rows of light spots
are more numerous and the reddish spots along the .margins are so
close together as to make an almost continuous band. The inner
third of the wing is blotched with a number of large reddish spots

Melitsea pliaeton.

with light yellow spots surrounded with black rings between them.
The body is dark brown below with reddish spots on the abdomen,
and the legs and palpi are reddish.

Melitsea phaeton.

This butterfly, although rarely seen except by those who know
where it is to be found and are in diligent search for it, is not rare
in New England. It is extremely local in its distribution, being-
found about meadows or swampy districts, and usually in numbers

284

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

from a dozen, to a hundred in a small space of a few square rods. It
is an easily captured species when once found as it is not shy ; its
flight is feeble and is not long sustained. It rarely comes into the
upland fields or gardens. There is but one brood in a season, the
butterfly making its appearance about the middle of June, and con¬
tinuing to fly for about a month. The female lays her eggs in a
cluster on the snake head ( Clielone glabra ), and when the caterpil¬
lars hatch they spin a web, drawing the leaves together at the top
of the plant. In this web or nest they live and feed until cold
weather, when they cease feeding, and remain in it in a dormant
state throughout the winter. In the spring they again commence
feeding, and when their growth is complete, they separate and seek
a retreat in which to pupate.

The larva is covered with stiff black bristles, and the chrysalis
is gray with dark brown spots.

Many grand butterflies belong to the genus Argynnis and sev¬
eral of the finest of the group are natives of the eastern half of the
United States, where at certain seasons they are among the most
abundant of butterflies.

Many of the species are of good size and very beautiful. The
usual color of the wings is reddish tan or brownish orange with
sharply defined dark brown or black markings in the shape of ir¬
regular lines and spots, while beneath, the ground color is generally
somewhat lighter. On the upper wings, except along the outer mar¬
gin and in the space at the upper angle, the markings of the upper
side are repeated, but are less sharply defined. The lower wings and
the outer margins of the upper pair are usually adorned with bril¬
liant satiny white spots, which look as if made of silver and highly
polished.

In a few of the species the males and females differ greatly, but
in the majority of kinds they are much alike.

According to Mr. Comstock, “ More than fifty species occur in
America north of Mexico.” Many kinds resemble each other
closely, so that they are at times very difficult to separate. Mr.
Holland, writing of this genus, says, “ Owing to the fact that there
is a great tendency in many of the forms closely to approximate one
another, the accurate distinction of many of the species has troubled
naturalists, and it is quite probable that some of the so-called species
will ultimately be discovered to be merely local races or varietal
forms.”

Male.

Female.

AKGYNNIS IDALIA.

NYMPHALIDiE.

287

The caterpillars are covered with fleshy spines and bristles.
They feed upon the different species of violets, and are nocturnal
in their habits, hiding by day. Many of the species hibernate over
winter in the young larval state and resume feeding the next spring.
The chrysalides are slightly angular with rows of blunt tubercles on
the dorsal side. They are frequently light reddish brown or pink¬
ish brown in color, and some are adorned with spots of yellow and
dark brown.

Argynnis idalia. Under side.

The number of species of this genus to be found in the western
portion of this country is very great, but none of the forms from the
far west are to my thinking the rival in beauty of our own richly
colored Argynnis idalia. In the female the upper wings are red¬
dish orange with heavy black margins and spots, and have a row
of cream colored spots extending along the outer margin. The
lower wings are black with a purple tinge, except on the upper
portion, which is yellowish brown. Two rows of large cream col¬
ored spots adorn the wings, while a row of narrow elongated spots
follow the fringe on the outer margin of both sets of wings. Be¬
neath, the upper wings are a little lighter and more reddish, with
the black markings less distinct, while along the upper and outer
margin are several silvery white spots enclosed in rings of black.

288

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

The lower wings are brown with many large creamy spots, having
a satiny lustre, arranged in irregular rows across them. These
spots are also enclosed in rings of black. The male resembles the
female except that it is smaller and generally lighter, and the outer
row of spots is reddish orange instead of cream color.

This, our largest and handsomest Argynnis in New England, is
found during the latter part of July and the first of August in low
meadowy districts, where its favorite flower, the wild flax, as it is
sometimes called, or the swamp milkweed, lives. In exceptional
seasons this insect is plentiful, and one may see one or more of
these large and richly colored flies about every clump of its favorite
blossom. It sometimes visits the upland fields of clover and occa¬
sionally the flowers of the garden. It is a wild insect and a strong
flyer, and when once alarmed it will tax the wind and endurance of
a good runner to overtake 'it.

The insect is found throughout New England and the middle
and western states, as far west as Dakota. The finest specimens I
have ever seen came from Illinois, and their richness of coloring and
size made them well worth the trouble of capturing.

In the mountainous districts of Virginia, Carolina, Tennessee and
Arkansas is found the most magnificent species belonging to the
genus Argynnis which inhabits this country. This beautiful butterfly
is Argynnis diana. In size there are few species of the group in tire
world which equal it, and but one or two with which I am acquainted
which rival it in beauty.

In the male insect the inner portion of each wing is a rich dark
brown bordered by a wide band of tawny orange, across which run
several narrow lines of brown, between which are round brown spots.
The under side, especially on the lower wings, is a good deal lighter
where the large area of dark brown gives place to light brown, while
on the upper wings the same area is black with several tawny orange
markings. Two lines of elongated silvery spots cross the lower wings,
the line near the outer margin being the more distinct. The female
is often a good deal larger than the male and in coloring is totally
different, the ground color of the wings being a rich greenish or
bluish black. The outer portion of the fore wings is crossed by
three rows of bluish white spots, while the same portion of the
lower wings has one row of large blue spots, each enclosing a round
black spot, and one row of elongated bluish white spots near the
outer margin. The under side of the female is brown with the

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

Under Side

ARGYNNIS IDALIA

Male.

Male. Under side.
ARGYNNIS DIANA.

NYMPHALIDiE.

291

lower wings somewhat lighter, which are marked with blue and
black spots. A few silvery crescents are to be seen on the lower
wings along the outer margins. The female is much the more
striking insect of the two, and its size and rich dark color make it
a conspicuous object while on the wing.

This insect, particularly the female, has been until quite recently,
a rare insect in collections, and has brought high prices. Even at
present, when its habitat is well known and many of these fine but-

Argynnis diana. Female.

terflies are taken every season, it is still an uncommon insect to see
in any but large collections. It is an active and wary butterfly and
as it is usually found in very hilly regions, the successful collector
is likely to have many a spirited chase for it.

The inhabitants of the regions where it is found in Kentucky,
have by this time become familiar with the sight of an able-bodied
man going about with a butterfly net, but a few years ago a man
could scarcely invent a way in which to make people regard him
with more suspicion.

292

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

This insect makes its appearance in July, and is sometimes seen
in some abundance. The females are much less common than the
males. A collector friend of mine who had never seen this insect
alive, was out with a net one day in Western Virginia, and came
suddenly upon three of these fine insects, two males and one female,
in the road. They immediately rose in the air and circled about him,
while my friend was so much surprised and so fearful, that they
would leave if he made the least motion, that he stood like a statue
not daring to make a strike lest he should miss, until they were well
out of his reach.

Argynnis cybele. Male.

Argynnis cybele is also a large and very handsome butterfly.
The sexes generally differ a good deal in size, the male being the
smaller, while its markings are less heavy, and the ground color
is lighter and more reddish. On the under side, too, the female
is darker than the male, the silvery spots showing to better
advantage.

During July this insect is one of our most abundant species,
frequenting flowering plants growing in meadowy land, particu¬
larly the swamp milkweeds, on the pink clusters of which one
will often see two or three of these fine butterflies.

It is a swift flying insect but does not seem to be shy when
feeding.

■

. . ' -

■

; > '

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

Under Side

ARGYNNIS CYBELE

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

Upper Side

Under Side

ARGYNNIS APHRODITE

NYMPHALIDAE.

293

This insect is one which is nearly always plentiful during its
season, and does not seem to have its seasons of scarcity like so
many species. The western species seem to be finer and larger
than those found in the east, and the flowers along railroads
or on the banks of rivers may almost be said to swarm with it at
times. The larva is dark colored and spiny, and like others of the
genus lives on violets, feeding by night and hiding close to the

Argynnis cybele. Female.

roots of the plant during the daytime. The half-grown larva
passes the winter in a dormant state and completes its growth the
next spring.

This butterfly has a rather wide range, being found in the
eastern, middle and western states as far west as the great plains
and north into Canada.

Closely related to Argynnis cybele is Argynnis aphrodite , and at
the first glance the two species would be thought the same. The
latter, however, is smaller and usually somewhat darker and
richer in coloring. This darker coloring is best seen from the
under side.

The yellow band following the outer margin of the lower

294

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

wings beneath is narrower in this species than in cybele , a charac¬
teristic by which the two species can be readily distinguished.
The females are occasionally very dark beneath, the lower wing
being chocolate brown and the silvery spots looking like discs of
the pure metal highly polished.

In July and August this butterfly is at times plentiful, but I
have never seen it so abundant as A. cybele. It seems to be more
northern in its range, and one of my friends living in Ontario,
Canada, has sent me many fine specimens. In habits it much re¬
sembles the preceding species.

Argynnis alcestis is about the size of A. aphrodite and much re¬
sembles it. The coloring is dark and rich, and the yellow band
along the margin of the lower wings is wanting. Specimens are
occasionally taken which are very red beneath on the basal part
of the upper wings. I have never seen the insect abundant, but
have taken it near Chicago, Illinois, in July, where I was given
to understand by a local collector, it was at times very common.
The specimens taken there were very fine and well repaid the
stop of a few hours for their capture. This is a western species
occupying the upper part of the Mississippi valley.

A butterfly smaller in size, but scarcely less brilliant in color¬
ing beneath than A. aphrodite and resembling it a good deal, is
Argynnis atlantis. Although there is often a good deal of differ¬
ence between the males and females of this species in the inten¬
sity of their coloring, the female being the darker, in size they
are about the same, and one rarely sees the discrepancy in size so
noticeable in A. cybele.

This butterfly is abundant in the hilly parts of New Hamp¬
shire early in July, where it may be seen on the flowers and
bushes by the roadside or winging its way across the upland
meadows. It is quite common about Sunapee Lake, where many
of the specimens for the illustration of this work were obtained.

Like the other members of this group, the larva feeds on vio¬
lets, and hibernates when half-grown through the winter. There
is but one brood in a season. It is a rather northern species and
only inhabits the middle and southern states along the ranges of
mountains. It is common in Canada.

A very common little butterfly during May and again in
August, in the meadows and swampy lands, is Argynnis myrina.
It resembles the larger species of the genus in the tawny orange

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

•T;

Under Side

ARGYNNIS ATLANTIS

, I

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

Upper Side

Under Side

ARGYNN1S BELLONA

NYMPHALIDiE.

295

color of the wings and the silvery spots on. the under side, but
is a weak little creature, its flight being slow and feeble. It is
usually very common in its season and may be seen clustered
on the flowers to which it is partial, or flying lazily just over
the grass tops of the damp meadow. On a small patch of mead¬
owy land they fly back and forth, not often venturing far from it
onto the high land.

The species is double-brooded, and inhabits the northern part
of our country and Canada. It is a pretty little insect, as will be
seen by reference to the transfer. The specimens for this work
were taken in and about Wellesley, Mass., where it is usually
very abundant.

Another species much resembling A. myrina in size and gen¬
eral markings, but differing from it in not having the silvery
spots beneath, is Argynnis bellona. This little butterfly is also
very abundant and an inhabitant of the same character of coun¬
try as the preceding species, where it may be taken at the same
time of year.

Curiously enough, however, the two species do not mingle to
any great extent and they will seldom be found equally numer¬
ous in the same meadow. This is often quite noticeable when
two small patches of low wet land are divided by a ridge of
high ground ; one species may occupy one patch and the other the
next, each keeping pretty well to itself. This is also a slow and
weak flying insect, keeping close to the grass tops while on the
wing and seldom venturing far from the low meadows. It is
double-brooded like the preceding, and. is found over the north¬
ern half of the United States east of the Rocky mountains. It
also occurs in Canada.

Argynnis montinus is a rare little insect found on the barren
tops of the White Mountains in New Hampshire.

It much resembles A. myrina , except that it is darker and more
reddish. The under side of the under wings is not adorned with
the brilliant silvery markings of A. myrina , but with irregular white
markings on a reddish brown ground.

I have never been so fortunate as to see this butterfly alive, and
although I visited Mount Washington and the other peaks near in
the hopes of finding it, I was unsuccessful.

This butterfly is supposed to have been stranded on the high
peaks of the White Mountains at the end of the glacial period in

296

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

much, the same manner that the presence there of Chionobas semidea
is accounted for.

Of the genus Euptoieta we have but one species in the United
States. It is a southern insect and rarely gets as far north as New
England. The insects of this group are rather plain yellowish
brown butterflies, with brown and black markings, having no silvery
spots on the under side, and in this respect showing a strong contrast
to most of the species of Argynnis , their near relatives. Their larvse
are adorned with rows of short black branching spines, the ones near
the head being the longest and are directed forward. They feed on
the leaves of the passion vine.

Euptoieta clcmdia is a medium sized butterfly, very plentiful in the
south and southwest, where it flies in open fields and along the edges
of forests. It is very abundant in Arkansas, where along the White
River I have captured many specimens in the latter part of July.
The larva of this species is brownish orange striped with brown and
spotted with white on the back. The chrysalis is light gray spotted
and streaked with black. The insect is an inhabitant of both North
and South America, and is often seen in collections from Brazil.

To the genus Agraulis belong some exceedingly beautiful butter¬
flies of medium size. They are insects loving warm climates, and
are very abundant in the tropical and subtropical parts of America.
Their coloring above is tawny orange or reddish orange marked with
black, while below it is lighter, in some species having a decided
pink tinge near the base of the upper wings, while many brilliant
silvery spots adorn both sets of wings. The larvse are armed with
branching spines, and they feed on the various species of the passion
vine.

But one species occurs within the borders of this country. This
is Agraulis vanillce , and one may search a good while before finding
a handsomer insect. It is not difficult to capture, flying leisurely
from flower to flower in search of honey. It is very abundant at
times in the southern states, coming as far north as Virginia and the
southern part of Illinois. It is also found on the Pacific coast in
southern California. The larva is light yellowish brown striped
with dark brown and covered with black branching spines. It feeds
on the passion vine.

The genus Colcenis has very long and narrow upper wings, re¬
sembling in this respect the genus Heliconia. The insects are mostly
brownish orange, but one very beautiful species, Colcenis dido , is

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

■

ARGYNNIS MYR1NA

AGRAULIS

VANILLAE

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

Upper Side

Under Side

EUPTOIETA CLAUDIA

Under side.

COL/ENIS JULIA.

COLAENIS JULIA

NYMPHALIDiE.

299

green and dark brown. They are inhabitants of tropical America
and the West Indies, and but two species range as far north as
southern Texas. The more strikingly marked of these is Colcenis
julia , of which figures are here given. It is brownish orange, and
sometimes, when fresh and perfect, almost red. The wings are mar¬
gined with black, and a bar of black extends diagonally across the
outer and upper portion of the upper wing. Beneath it is tan or
rust color with a few darker shades. One or two faint red spots are
located near the base of both wings.

ColEenis delila.

Our other native species, Colcenis delila , closely resembles the
preceding species, but is without the' black markings across the
wings, and is paler in coloring. These two insects are very abundant
in Mexico, and one rarely receives a box of butterflies from that
country which does not contain several specimens.

The genus Danais comprises a large number of good-sized butter¬
flies inhabiting almost all portions of the world. Many of the
grandest species are natives of southern Asia and the Malay Archi¬
pelago. The ground color of these insects is often brownish orange
or reddish brown, while in some of the handsomer species it is green
or blue. This color is usually diversified with bars and lines of
black, these frequently following the veins and margins of the wings.
These butterflies are supposed by naturalists to be protected from
their enemies by a rank odor and a bitter taste, so that they have
been in a large measure exempt from the attacks of birds and other

300

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

insect-eating animals. On this account they fly boldly forth, making
little or no effort at concealment.

These protected insects have been the subjects of unconscious
imitation or mimicry by butterflies belonging to other groups less
favored by nature, and many of the species are so exactly copied
both in coloring and also in habits as not only to deceive the birds
but also the collectors.

One of our largest and best known butterflies belonging to this
genus is Danais archippus. The larva feeds on the milkweed, and is

Larva of Danais archippus.

a prettily marked creature, being banded transversely with black,
yellow and green, and having two long black fleshy horns or filaments
at either end of the body. It is easily reared in confinement, and the
chrysalis, which is translucent pea green relieved with a line of black
dots across the back and rows of circular spots of burnished gold

Chrysalis of Danais archippus.

about the thorax and along the sides, is an object rarely equalled for
beauty in art or nature. The butterfly makes its appearance about
two weeks after the chrysalis is formed, the color of the wings being
plainly visible through the thin chrysalis shell for a day or two before

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

Unoer Side

DANAIS ARCHIPPUS

' " 1 . • ■“ ■ 1 . • 1 . - ’

NYMPHALIDiE.

301

it emerges. When seen in the sunshine in the height of perfection,
the wings show pleasing iridescent tints varying from green to blue
and purple, or even red. This insect is rarely seen in the northern
part of our country before July, as it is supposed that neither the
perfect insect nor the egg or chrysalis is able to withstand the rigors
of our winter, and that the first specimens to be seen in our region
are migrants from the south. This is not strictly true, for on several
occasions both my brothers and I have taken this butterfly early in
May in New England, proving that occasionally the insect succeeds
in weathering our severe winter either in the chrysalis or mature
state.

At times during September or October immense numbers of these
butterflies are seen in scattered flocks apparently migrating either in
search of food or toward a warmer region. I have never been so
fortunate as to witness one of these flights, but from a gentleman
residing in northern Illinois, who saw such a migration in 1894, 1
obtained the following facts : The butterflies were very abundant
near Chicago in that year, and toward the last of September they
formed immense flocks and might be seen every afternoon streaming
in a southeasterly direction. One evening thousands collected on a
dead tree near this gentleman’s house, completely covering its twigs
and branches.

A good many other kinds of butterflies have been known to
assemble in flocks of countless thousands, and have even been
observed many miles at sea flying high in air.

The geographical range of this Danais is very great, being now
distributed over a large portion of the earth’s surface, although it
was originally a strictly American species. It is now common in the
Sandwich Islands, Samoa and most of the islands of the Malay
Archipelago, while it is plentifully distributed over Australia. These
distant lands have been colonized by it only within very recent
years. This butterfly with many others has been placed in a new
genus and given a new specific name within recent years, and now
by many collectors goes by the title of Anosia plexippus ; and right
here I wish to write a few words in regard to the scientific names of
insects and the changes which are being made by almost every new
writer on the subject of entomology. This constant change of name
and the almost endless separating of the species into new genera is
one of the most senseless as well as the most needless obstacles
put in the way of those who desire to acquire a knowledge of ento-

302

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

mology. A child begins by hearing the names of a few of the
common insect forms about him, and no sooner does he begin to get
a little familiar with them than some new book comes out on the
subject and he runs up against an entirely new nomenclature, either
of genera or species, or both, which is well calculated to discourage
the most ardent enthusiast. Better almost any name that shall per¬
manently stand for the species than this constant change. If authors
were agreed among themselves one might conclude that there was
some system to their madness, but when one author calls an insect
Limenitis disippus , another Limenitis misippus , another Basilarchia
disippus , and still another Basilarchia archippus, it is enough to
bewilder and disgust the hungry aspirant for knowledge on the
subject. Even the common names have stuck better in many in¬
stances than those given by the scientists, and one has often to resort
to them to avoid confusion. Let us hope that order will eventually
come out of all this chaos, and that those who tinker with the names
and classifications may call a halt before they make a separate genus
for every species, and the scientific names to each are more numer¬
ous than the legs of its caterpillars. In studying exotic insects,
especially those from little-known lands, one is spared these changes
of names to a great extent, for it is frequently our most common
insects which have three or four scientific names. Let us aim to get
these names anchored, and when once a name is well established to
hold to it instead of following the caprice of each new writer who
may have little more to attract attention than a renaming and re¬
classification of our familiar forms. To be able to glibly articulate
long scientific names and to be familiar with the most recent classi¬
fications does not constitute a knowledge of natural history. A.
thorough understanding of the habits of an animal learned through
search and observation is of much more value than a knowledge of
its most recent name, which may be a very temporary affair.

One other native insect of this genus is Danais herenice. It is
a rather plainly-colored insect, being yellowish brown, sometimes
reddish brown, the wings being margined with wide bands of black
in which are enclosed numerous small white spots. Several larger
white spots adorn the outer portion of the upper wings. The under
side is colored much like the upper, except that on the lower
wings wide lines of black follow the veins. This insect is very
abundant in Mexico, and extends its habitat up into Texas and
Arizona.

Under side.

DANAIS BERENICE.

NYMPH ALIDiE,

305

An insect varying slightly in the coloring of the lower wings
and having the veins margined with grayish white has been given
the name of Danais stigosa. As these two forms blend into one

Danais stigosa.

another by insensible gradations, so that among a dozen specimens
all collected in the same locality it may be impossible to state to
which some of them belong, one would naturally conclude that they
were the same species with slight color variations.

Heliconia comprises many very beautiful insects of medium size,
having very long and narrow upper wings, comparatively small
lower wings, long bodies, and long, knobbed antennae. They give
off a powerful odor when handled, and on account of their bitter
taste are avoided by birds and other insect-eating animals. Their
home is tropical America, where they abound in great numbers
both in species and individuals, their bright colors of red, yellow,
blue and green in sharply outlined patches and bars on a usually
black ground enlivening the dark forests, and partly compensating
for the lack of brilliant flowers in those regions. Their caterpillars
are spiny, and their chrysalides are angular, and, according to various
observers, emit a squeaking noise as they bend from side to side
when disturbed.

306

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

An interesting habit of butterflies belonging to this genus was
witnessed by one of my brothers, William Denton, in Colombia,
South America. One day, while he was out collecting, he noticed
several male specimens of a very handsome species fluttering about
a bush by the roadside. These he took with his net, and was about
to move on, when other specimens were seen approaching. In a
short time he had several more, but still they kept coming to the
same bush. This excited his curiosity, and upon carefully exam¬
ining the bush he discovered a number of chrysalides of the female
of this species upon it, the butterflies within being plainly visible
and almost ready to burst their shells. The males were already
assembling to welcome the females on their emerging from their
chrysalides.

Heliconia eliaritonia is our only native species of this genus, but
it is a handsome insect, as one may see by reference to the plate.
This butterfly is abundantly found in Mexico and Central America,
and occasionally it may be seen in numbers in southern Florida,
where it flies lazily in the hot sunshine. Like the different species
of Agraulis , the larva of this insect feeds on the passion vine.

Two beautiful insects belonging to the genus Eumenes inhabit
the extreme southern portion of our country.

Eumeuia atala.

Eumenia atala is a common insect in southern Florida early in
February, where it may sometimes be seen bv dozens clustered on
the flowering plants. It is usually very abundant near Miami in
that state. The wings of this insect are black with streaks of
metallic green or blue below the upper margin of the upper pair,

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

)

Under Side

HELICONIA CHARITONIA

NYMPHALIDJ2.

307

while a row of spots of the same color follows the! outer margin of
the lower wings. Beneath, the color is black, the upper wings
plain, while the lower ones are adorned with many brilliant metallic

Kuiueuia atala. Under side.

green spots, and one large red spot located midway on the inner
margin. The head and thorax is black with metallic green streaks,
and the abdomen is brilliant orange.

The other species ,Eumenia minyas , occurs in southern Texas, and
is much like the preceding species except that it is larger. I have
never received a specimen from this country, those I have having
been captured in Mexico.

A very small reddish brown butterfly, adorned with metallic
blue spots arranged in irregular transverse rows on the wings, is
Calephelis ccenius. It is a native of Florida and the gulf states, and
occasionally strays as far north as Virginia. I have never seen the
insect alive, and know nothing of its life-history or habits.

308

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

PAPIL10N1DJE.

WMtelings, Yellows, Swallowtails.

We now arrive at a large group of butterflies having six well-
developed legs, and where the chrysalis is attached to its support,
not only at the extremity of the abdomen but by a thin line or
thread of silk passing round the middle of the body, which, except
in the genus Ornithoptera , usually holds it in a horizontal position
instead of its being suspended in a perpendicular position, head
downward, as in the Nymphalidce. The larva is long, usually
tapering toward the anal extremity, frequently ornamented with
brilliant colors, and in the genera of Ornithoptera and Papilio
is provided with a protective scent organ placed at the back of
the head which can be protruded at the pleasure of the animal.
This organ is forked and is usually extended when the insect is
irritated.

To this group of butterflies belong many of the largest and most
grandly colored Lepidopterous insects of the world. It comprises
the magnificent butterflies belonging to the genus Ornithoptera ,
specimens of which frequently expand seven or eight inches between
the tips of their velvety wings, and the regal Papilios or swallow¬
tailed butterflies, wherein the lower wings are usually prolonged
into tails at their lower extremity, and which in the coloring of
many of the species are incomparably beautiful. It also includes
a host of species belonging to the family Pierince , so familiar to
every one, and having white or yellow for the principal color of
their wings.

To the genus Oolias belongs a large number of species of medium¬
sized butterflies widely distributed over the northern hemisphere.
They are among our most common butterflies in the United States,
and are familiar objects to every one who has an opportunity to
see the fields and meadows in summer. Their colors are various
shades of yellow or orange with heavy black borders to the wings in
the males, while in the females their coloring is less sharply defined
and not so heavy. The caterpillars are cylindrical, long, and taper
slightly toward their posterior extremity, and are green in color,
feeding largely on clover. Their chrysalides are pointed at the

■ pi' ’ . -• .

■

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

1—

Upper Side

Under Side

COLIAS PHILODICE

PAPILIONIDiE.

309

head, have a convex breast and a hump on the thorax. Many of
them are green in color.

Colias pliilodice. Male.

Our best known species of this genus is Colias pliilodice , an
insect which ranges over the whole of our country east of the Rocky
Mountains. It is common in summer in almost every field, and
may be seen by dozens quietly resting with wings erect, sucking

Colias pliilodice. Female.

the moisture from the muddy pools in the roads. A good many
varieties occur, and one may find many albinos and also dark rich
specimens if the trouble be taken to search for them. The caterpillar
feeds on the clover. It is grass green and striped with light green.

310

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

Several broods of this insect make their appearance each season, so
that it is rarely absent from our fields in summer.

Colias pliilodice. Female, albino.

Colias eurytheme has much the same habits as the preceding, except
perhaps that it is more agile on the wing. It is found in the middle

Colias eurytheme. Male.

and western states in abundance, and even extends across to the
Pacific coast. It also occurs in New England, though I have never
known it to be common there. Its bright orange colors make it a
conspicuous object while on the wing. The species is very subject
to variation in color and size ; some specimens are intense orange,
while others are yellow, scarcely showing a tinge of the orange.

■

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

Under Side

COLIAS EURYTHEME

. ~

v r - .'* *

PAPILION IDiE.

311

Albinos, looking much like the albinos of the preceding species,
are not rare, and very dark insects are occasionally taken. In all its
varieties it is an attractive insect, and the dark rich colored females
are very beautiful. There are two or more broods in a season, the

first making its appearance in May and others coming through the
latter part of the summer and fall. It is most numerous in August
in open fields and meadows, and neglected pastures where thistles
and burdocks abound are its special delight.

Meganostoma ctesonia.

The genus Meganostoma , which closely resembles Culias except
that the apex of the wing is more pointed, is represented throughout
the region east of the Rocky Mountains by Meganostoma ccesonia.

312

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

The colors are black and yellow, the wings being frequently edged
with a narrow line of pink. The rather vague and fanciful resem¬
blance of the }7ellow patch on the upper wing to an animal’s head has
given the insect the common name of the dog’s-head butterfly. The
insect is yellow beneath, with spots as shown in the illustration.

Meganostoma csesouia. Under side.

The sexes differ little in coloring. This species is much more
abundant in the south and southwest than in the east and north. I
have never taken it in New England, but found a good many
specimens near Iowa City, Iowa, in August. It is a good flyer, and
one is obliged to move rapidly and use the net skilfully to capture
many specimens.

A very beautiful species of this genus, Meganostoma eurydiee ,
a native of California and the Pacific coast, displays in the male
insect bright pink and purple iridescence almost dazzling to the
eye.

The genus Gonepteryx contains some large and very showy
butterflies. The shape of the wings is peculiar, in that they are
angular and look as if trimmed with the scissors, the upper wings
having the upper margin strongly bowed and ending in a blunt
point, while the lower pair have a decided .point midway on the
outer margin. The veins of the wings are large and raised, and
from the under side the insect bears a striking leaf-like look. But
two of the large and handsome species of this genus are found in
this country north of Mexico, and they must be regarded as strag¬
glers from more tropical climes.

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

Upper Side

Under Si*e

' MEGANOSTOMA CAESONIA

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON'

Upper Side

Under Side

GONEPTERYX CLORINDE

m t

Under side.

GONEPTERYX CLARINDE.

—

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

Upper Side

Under Side

- GONEPTERYX MAERULA

i -

DENTON

PAPILIONIDiE.

315

Gronepteryx mcerula is a large and handsome species, and is of a
very pure citron yellow with a conspicuous black dot above the mid¬
dle of the fore wing and a few faint dark spots along the outer

Gonepteryx mserula.

margin. It is a striking object on the wing and is common in the
warmer parts of Mexico.

The other species, Gronepteryx clarinde , is almost white with a
bluish green shade. A long yellow patch, beginning near the mid¬
dle of the upper margin of the upper wing, extends half way across
the membrane. It includes in its outer margin a black spot sur¬
rounded by a ring of orange. A small dark spot is located near the
centre of the lower wing, having an orange ring surrounding it also.
Beneath, the insect is light green, the lower half of the upper wings
being almost white. Faint buff lines extend along the larger veins,
and a fine stipple of this color may be seen on the membranes if
closely inspected. The dark spots of the upper side are faintly in¬
dicated by a pinkish shade beneath. The strong raised veins of the
under side are undoubtedly a protection to the animal when at rest,
as it is very leaf-like in appearance. This butterfly is common in the

316

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

warmer parts of Mexico and Central America, and many specimens
annually find their way to this country with collections of dried in¬
sects in papers. It is a good flyer, but like many of its near relatives
is very fond of alighting on the wet mud of roads or the banks of
streams.

A plain yellowish white insect, about the size of or a little larger
than our common yellow butterfly, and inhabiting Florida and the
gulf states, is Kricogonia lyside. While the female is almost an
even shade of yellowish white, the male has a yellow patch at the
base of the upper wings and a darker shade at their tip. A con¬
spicuous dark spot is located just below the upper margin of the
lower wings. I have never seen this insect alive and know nothing
of its habits.

Callidryas contains several bright and gaudy butterflies of various
shades of orange or yellow. Some of the species are of good size, and

Callidryas eubule. Male.

on account of their clear and pure colors are showy objects when flying
or preserved in one’s cabinet. The genus is represented by species
from many parts of the world, but those from Mexico and Central
America are among the finest.

One of our best-known species is Callidryas eubule , an insect
which is plentiful in the south and not infrequently is to be seen in
New Jersey and southern New York. Its brilliant yellow color and

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

Upper Side

Under Side

CALLIDRYAS EUBULE

* V

PAPILION IDiE.

317

its size render it conspicuous as it flits across the fields. It is a good
flyer, and the young collector will need to use his legs as well as. his
net to capture it. The male insect is of a plain lemon yellow and is

Callidryas eubule. Female.

without markings above, having a few small, faint reddish brown
spots beneath. The female has a dark brown spot above the middle
of the upper wing and several light brown spots along the outer
margin. The caterpillar is green, and feeds on the cassia.

Chrysalis of Callidryas eubule.

The chrysalis is very peculiar in shape, being concave at the
back and extending out into a wide flat keel or ridge on the breast.

318

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

The insect ranges from the latitude of New York City, in the
United States, south through the whole of Central and South
America to Patagonia.

An insect second to none of the family in showy coloring is
Callidryas philea , which, with its large size and its brilliant yellow

Callidryas pliilea. tipper side.

and orange wings, is one of the gayest of butterflies. The home of
this creature is tropical America, but it strays into the southern
states of our country and is not rare in Texas. It is very abun¬
dant in the low lands of Mexico, and my brothers found it numer¬
ous in Colombia, South America, although always a difficult insect
to capture on account of its strong and rapid flight. The ground
color is bright yellow with a large orange patch extending from
the upper margin of the upper wings half way across them. A
wide band of orange blending into the yellow follows the outer
margin of the lower wings. Beneath, the insect is strong Naples
yellow, lighter on the lower half of the upper wings.

Another fine insect is Callidryas cipris , in which the lower wings
at their lower portion are carried out into short rounded tails. The
ground color is bright yellow with a large area in the middle part

Upper side.

Under side.

CALLIDRYAS CIPRIS.

PAPILIONIDiE.

321

of the upper wings and a broad band on the outer margin of the
lower pair, tinged with orange. This orange tint is sometimes

Callidryas pliilea. Under side.

almost wholly wanting. Beneath, the color is yellow, diversified
with a stipple of brown and brownish orange, in places arranged in
vague lines. A light spot above the middle of the upper wing is
surrounded with a ring of brown, while two silvery spots similarly
surrounded, adorn the lower pair. Seen either from above or below,
the butterfly is very handsome. Like the last species, this butterfly
is principally an inhabitant of tropical America, and is rare in the
United States. Many glorious specimens come from the hot low
lands of Mexico.

Callidryas argante is deep orange in color, lighter along the inner
margin of the lower wings, and having a few brown markings along
the outer margins of both sets of wings, more distinct at the apex of
the upper pair. The color beneath is slightly lighter, but is variegated
with a brown stipple arranged in indistinct wavy lines, veiy similar in
pattern to the last described species. Two spots of silver are also
present near the middle of the lower wings. This insect is only

322

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

found in the extreme southern portion of our country, but it
abounds in Mexico and Central America.

Callidryas argante.

Another species or variety of the present species goes by the
name of Callidryas agarithe. The insect is slightly lighter in its

Callidryas argante. Under side.

coloring, and the under side is not quite so profusely marked with
the brown stipple. Otherwise it is indistinguishable from Callidryas
argante , and occupies the same territory.

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

Under Side

CALLIDRYAS AGARITHE

PAPILIONID^E.

323

The genus Pieris contains a large number of white butterflies of
medium size, many of which are adorned with spots or markings of
dark brown. Beneath, they are frequently yellowish white in color.
The caterpillars are generally green, and feed on cruciferous plants,
some of the species doing considerable damage.

The chrysalis is somewhat angular, usually light in color, and
although naked and fragile, and usually exposed to every breeze
that blows, it is capable of withstanding the severe frosts and storms
of winter, and rides safely anchored by its silken threads. The in¬
sects inhabit chiefly the northern hemisphere of both the old and the
new world.

Our most abundant species is Pieris rapce. This insect is a
European importation which has driven our native white Pieris
oleracea almost out of existence. It is one of the most plentiful of
butterflies, making its appearance early in the spring, and being two
or even three-brooded in some localities. It has a wide distribution
over our country and Europe. The larva of this butterfly is a great
enemy to the market gardener and farmer, sometimes devouring his
young cabbages and cauliflowers to such an extent that nothing but
the bare stalks remain standing in the field.

The larva is green and covered with short down or fine hairs.
The chrysalis is grayish or sometimes light green. This insect has
gradually spread over the entire continent, and may be seen flying
in swarms over fields of cabbages or turnips anywhere from Maine
to Texas, New York to California, and no field of cruciferous plants
is safe from its attacks.

The heads of the cabbages are often riddled and rendered worth¬
less by the holes made by the larvae, and to destroy them is not an
easy matter. Catching the butterflies with a net when first they
make their appearance and before they can lay their eggs on the
young plants, is perhaps the best method of keeping their numbers
down. The vigorous use of the net for an hour a day for two or
three days at the right time, will so reduce the numbers of this
pest that the plants will get a good start. This is preferable to
using emulsions of any sort to kill the caterpillars, as they are apt to
make the plants unfit for food, a matter of considerable importance
to the agriculturist.

Pieris oleracea , a butterffy which not long ago was plentiful over
a large part of the north-eastern United States, presumably owing to
the introduction of Pieris rapce , has now become very scarce except

324

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

in one or two localities, where it may still be found in some abun¬
dance.' I refer to the White Mountain region of New Hampshire,
and the Adirondack region of New York.

Pieris oleracea.

It is a delicate little creature varying from pure white to yellow¬
ish white streaked with gray on the veins above, while below the
veins on the lower wings are margined by gray, and the tip of the

Pieris oleracea. Under side.

upper wings and all of the lower pair are yellowish. No less than
ten different varieties of this species, each with its three scientific
names, are recognized by entomologists. Let us hope that the
Latin names may hold out to christen all the new varieties which
may be discovered in the future, or that like this butterfly, the
species-maker who manufactures new names by the wholesale may
be started on the road to extinction by the law of the survival of
the fittest.

' ,

PAPILIONIDiE.

325

A pretty little species which inhabits the eastern half of the
country is Pieris protodice. Like many of its near relatives its

Pieris protodice. Male.

larva feeds upon cruciferous plants, doing much damage to the grow¬
ing crops, and when plentiful it is somewhat of a pest.

Pieris protodice. Male. Under side.

There is a good deal of variation in the species, and the sexes
are unlike, the male being almost pure white with a few dark spots,
while the females are clouded, and the veins on the under side are
margined with lines of yellow. This insect is not common in New
England, but in the west and south it may be seen flitting low over
the fields, or on the blossoms of weeds during the summer and
autumn.

326

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

The genus Terias is widely distributed over most parts of
the world. It comprises a large number of butterflies of small

Pieris protodice. Female.

size, whose colors are mostly yellow or orange with black borders.
Two or three species are very abundant in the eastern half of our
country.

Terias lisa is a little butterfly, which, while on the wing, one
might easily mistake for a small specimen of Colias philodice. It is
thin and delicate, seemingly a very frail creature. It sometimes
makes its appearance in great numbers, and has even been seen at
sea many miles from land, where it doubtless had been swept by

Terias nicippe. Male.

strong currents of air. It is distributed over the whole eastern
half of our country except the most northern part, and although

MOTHS

AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

f V

Upper Side

PAPILIONIDiE.

827

not commonly seen in New England, it is very abundant in the
south and west.

Like many of its near relatives there is a good deal of variation
in coloring between specimens, and albinos are not rare. The cater¬
pillar feeds on the cassia.

Terias nicippe. Male. Under side.

A bright and pretty insect, which is frequently so abundant in
the south and west as to be a feature in the landscape, is Terias ni¬
cippe. The deep orange wings bordered with sharply defined bands

Terias nicippe. Female.

of black of the male insect contrast strongly with the pale orange
or sometimes yellow clouded wings of the female. Considerable
variation exists too, between individuals of the same sex. This
butterfly actually swarms, in Tennessee at certain seasons, and I

828

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

recall with pleasure an early morning ride during August over the
rich alluvial plains along the Mississippi River, where hundreds if
not thousands of these insects were to be seen. As we jogged
along over the country road, the dark, luxuriant, almost tropical
forest on both sides, the scene was enlivened by these butterflies as

Terias nicippe. Female. Under side.

they rose in numbers from the grass, sometimes appearing like a
small cloud about us. They were not wild, and soon settled again
among the grasses by the road side. This insect is rarely seen
further north than the latitude of New York City, and is most
abundant in the southern states, whence it ranges south into Mexico,
Central America and South America. The larva feeds on the cassia
and clover.

Terias jucunda.

A tiny and very delicate creature is Terias jucunda. The colors
are bright yellow and black, disposed as shown in the illustration,
while the under side, particularly of the lower wings, is very light
or almost white, the upper pair being light yellow bordered by light

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

Upper Side

Under Side

TERIAS NICIPPE

PAPILIONIDiE.

329

gray. This insect is abundant in the states bordering on the Gulf
of Mexico. It is of feeble flight, keeping near the ground, and
seldom flying far at a time. Two or three other species of this
genus closely resembling this one are found in the southern states.
This species, however, is lighter beneath than the others.

Tunas proterpia.

A butterfly belonging to this genus, of a deep orange color and
with angular outlines to the wings, is Terias proterpia. Along the
upper margin of the upper wing is a heavy black band shading into
gray. This color is continued, although very faintly, on the outer
margin of the lower wing. The veins of the lower wings and the
outer portion of those of the upper pair are black. This little but¬
terfly is found in Texas and Mexico, and I have a number collected
in Colombia, South America. I have never seen the insect alive
and can give no information as to its habits.

Some very prettily marked butterflies belong to the genus Antho-
cliaris. They are small, frail creatures, weak in flight, their deli¬
cately tinted and rounded wings suggesting the petals of a flower.
Their usual color is creamy white with brown markings. The tip
of the upper wing is usually occupied with a brown patch, in the
middle of which in many species is an orange or red spot. Others
lack this orange spot except in the male insect, and others still do
not have it in either of the sexes. The lower wings are usually
margined with brown spots. The under side of the lower wings
is mottled with green, giving them a mossy appearance. This mot¬
tling also occurs near the tip of the upper wings beneath, and the
orange spot where present is sometimes reproduced below. The
wings are very thin and the moss-like markings on the under side

330

MOTHS AND BUTTEBFLIES.

of the lower wings is readily seen through them from above, where
they appear as a gray shade. We have but two species in the
eastern half of our country, but several very beautiful kinds are
natives of the Pacific coast, where they are not rare.

I can remember one very delightful morning in May, many years
ago, spent at what was then the gold mining town of Sonora, Califor¬
nia. The gold has since been washed from the bed of the streams
and the people have mostly turned their attention to agriculture. At
the time of my visit it was the centre for a lively mining population

Antliocliaris olympia.

and on going out to view the placer works, with their heaps of
debris , the hundreds of pits and miles of flumes, I was surprised to
see a number of these little butterflies flitting about the weeds which

Antliocliaris olympia. Under side.

grew among the heaps of boulders. I straightway secured my net
and after half a day of clambering over the rocks in the hot sun¬
shine I filled my box with. specimens in their papers. It was warm

PAPILIONID^E.

331

and fatiguing work, but I enjoyed it. The miners seemed to enjoy
it too, for once when I missed my footing and rolled down a steep
bank into a puddle of muddy water, a roar of laughter went up
from half a hundred lusty throats. But I didn’t care ; they had their
laugh and I had the butterflies. I only wish I now had a few of the
dozens of beautiful anthocharis I captured that morning.

Anthocharis olympia has no orange spot at the apex of the fore¬
wing in either sex, but it is a very pretty little butterfly nevertheless.
The upper side is creamy white with brown markings, arranged as
shown in the illustration, the mottlings of the under side of the
lower wings showing distinctly through. The under side is mottled
with olive green on a white ground, giving a very pretty effect. It
is found in Texas.

Antliocliaris genutia.

Anthocharis genutia is found from New England south, although
I have never seen it very abundant anywhere. This insect can be

Antliocliaris genutia. Under side.

readily recognized by the hooked or falcate forward wing. It is
very frail and of feeble flight. The insect is white, the tip of the
forward wings of the male being orange, while in the female it is

832

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

spotted with brown without the orange. The under side is deli¬
cately marbled with olive green and brown.

I have taken this butterfly near Washington, D. C., where one

Anthocliaris genutia. Female.

may collect half a dozen specimens in a day at the right season. It
is one of our prettiest species, and nearly always attracts attention
in one’s cabinet.

Parnassius clodius.

An interesting group of butterflies is the genus Parnassius , in
which the wings are so thinly covered with scales as to be partially
transparent. The colors are light yellowish white with brown or
slate colored markings and red or yellow spots, while they have a
decidedly moth-like look from the amount of down or soft hairs on

PAPILIONIDzE.

333

tlie surface. The bodies of these insects are dark in color and very
hairy.

The larvae are dark colored, flattened beneath, and pass through
their transformations on the ground, gathering a few hits of leaves or
twigs into a loose cocoon, which is held together by silken threads.

These butterflies' are all inhabitants of mountainous districts and
are found both in the old world and the new. While we have no
species of this genus in the eastern part of our country, they are
found on the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains as far east as
Colorado.

There is great variation in the coloring of the specimens, individ¬
uals ranging from almost white with yellow spots to slate color with
red spots. These insects are not difficult to capture, as they fly near
the ground. I have never seen them abundant, and by collectors in
this country they are generally considered most valuable specimens
to possess.

In the genus Papilio are classed many of the largest and
handsomest butterflies the world affords. The group reaches its
greatest development, both as to the number of the species and the
extraordinary beauty of their coloring, in southern India and through¬
out the islands of the Malay Archipelago, but we have many very
fine species in our country and in Mexico and South America.

Rev. J. G. Wood, in writing of this group, says : “ The genus is a
very comprehensive one, including between two and three hundred
known species, among which may be found almost every imaginable
tint in every gradation and exhibiting bold contrasts of color which
scarcely any human artist would dare to place together, and which
yet produce a result equally striking and harmonious.”

The group has been divided into several genera by some authors,
and although the general characteristics of the species thus separated
are not difficult to follow, they seem somewhat arbitrary, especially
as there is a great similarity in the habits and development of the
species of the whole group. Had there been but a few species of the
various classes, instead of dozens or scores, the genus would probably
have been left entire, much to the satisfaction and convenience of
those who wish to acquire knowledge on the subject of entomology.

Many of these butterflies are supplied with tails or prolongations
to the lower wings which add much to their beauty. In some these
tails are long and narrow, in others short and wide, while a few of
the species are destitute of tails. Their larvae are fleshy, of various

334

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

colors, and some are supplied with soft horns or filaments growing
from various parts of their bodies. At the back of the head of the

Metamorphosis of Papilio.

larva is situated a forked organ giving off a powerful odor, which
is doubtless used as a means of protection against its various ene¬
mies. When not in use this organ is retracted and entirely concealed.
The larvm feed on various trees and herbaceous plants, but are

PAPILIONIDiE.

385

seldom sufficiently plentiful to do much damage. The chrysalides of
many of the species are protected by their coloring, some being brown
or gray and imitating bits of bark or decayed wood, while others are
green, and when hidden among the leaves are very difficult to see.

According to Mr. Henry Edwards, “ Twenty species, or at least
strongly marked forms of true Papilio may be credited to the United
States.”

Papilio turnus is one of the largest and handsomest species of
this group found within the borders of our country. It is an abun¬
dant insect over a large part of North America, but is replaced on
the Pacific Slope by two or three allied forms not very different in
size and coloring.

Specimens of this species vary greatly in size, ranging all the way
from the small New England insects, frequently less than three and
one-half inches in expanse of wings, to the magnificent creatures seen
occasionally from southern Illinois southward, five and one-half or
even six inches across. These large insects are often truly grand in
coloring, and easily take a place among the princes of the butterfly
world. In New England the species makes its appearance frequently
as early as the middle of Maj^, and is usually plentiful for three or
four weeks. Stragglers may occasionally be taken during the latter
part of summer and early in the fall, but the insect is single brooded,
except possibly in the southern part of its territory.

When the foliage is fresh and green and the woods resound with
the songs of birds and the hum of insect life awakened from its
winter sleep, our beautiful tiger swallow-tail, as it is commonly called,
delights to congregate about sunny openings in the forest, chasing
each other high up among the oak leaves, or opening and shutting
its gaily tinted wings as it alights on the lower shubbery. The
butterflies are not very shy at these times, and one may quietly walk
into their chosen playground without disturbing them. They fre¬
quently quit the forest in quest of sweets, and visit the cultivated
fields. The syringa is one of their favorite flowers, and so intent are
they on extracting the honey that one may frequently capture them
with the fingers. With other species of butterflies they congregate
in great numbers on the muddy banks of streams or lakes or at wet
places in the roads, where one may take a dozen or more with one
sweep of the net. A friend of mine tells of seeing a patch of these
butterflies covering a space of several square feet, resting on the mud
near a lake in northern New Hampshire, where he has been accus-

336

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

tomed to spend a part of each summer camping. Hundreds of these
insects were congregated on the shore, and the birds, frogs and toads
were reaping a harvest. They are usually exceedingly plentiful near
Sunapee Lake, in New Hampshire, during the latter part of June,
and make an interesting picture as they rise in a swarm from the
lake shore on being disturbed. But they never look more rich and
beautiful than when flying by twos and threes about in the sunshine
with the fresh young leaves of the oaks for a background.

Papilio glaucus.

In the southern and western States a beautiful dimorphic form of
the female only of this species may occasionally be taken. It is
called Papilio cjlaucus , and a truly magnificent insect it is.

An idea of its size and shape will be had from the accompanying
plate, but its rich black wings stippled with blue over a large part of

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

Under Side

PAPILIO TURNUS

PAPILIONIDJE.

337

their surface, can be but partially appreciated from what is shown in
the accompanying figure. The insect is so dark that it looks at first
sight like a very large and fine Papilio troilus. A closer inspection
reveals the true character of the creature, as the dark bands so con¬
spicuous on the common form can be faintly seen on the under side
of the wings of this variety.

Papilio glaucus. Under side.

The larva feeds on apple, birch and wild thorn, and is green in
color, with two eye-like spots on the thorax. It resembles the larva
of Papilio troilus , of which a figure is given on page 351. It is a
rather difficult creature to find, and its chrysalis, which is usually
attached to a twig or branch, is gray and brown in color and looks
not unlike a piece of loosened bark.

Papilio rut-ulus very closely resembles Papilio turnus , and takes
the place of that species on the western half of the continent. The
females never assume the dark color of the dimorphic form of

338

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

Papilio turnus. My brother found this butterfly, with Papilio
zolicaon , the western representative of Papilio asterias , very abun¬
dant at Franktown, near Washoe, Nevada, during the month of June.

Papilio rutulus.

In habits it much resembles its near relative in the east, and was
taken in numbers with a decoy placed within reach of the net where
the insects were at play.

Another very large and beautiful butterfly is Papilio daunus. It
closely resembles Papilio turnus in coloring, but the points on the
lower wings are lengthened into tails which add much to the beauty
of the insect.

The species is most plentiful in Colorado, New Mexico and Mex¬
ico, but specimens have been taken in Kansas and Texas. The
one here figured is from the City of Mexico, where it is not rare
in March and April, then frequently visiting the flowers in the
public squares. It is often seen flying high over the houses, but
when feeding on the flowers is easily taken. Considerable variation

PAPILIONIDiE.

339

in coloring occurs, some specimens being almost orange, while others
are light yellow.

Papilio daunus.

One lias to use great care in removing these grand insects from
the net, as the slender tails of the lower wings are easily broken.

An insect which looks a good deal like Papilio daunus , except
that it is smaller and the bands of black on the margins of the wings
are broader, is Papilio pilumnus.

The points or tails on the lower wings are even more marked than
in Papilio daunus and the insect is of somewhat slighter build. It
is a very beautiful butterfly, but is more a Mexican insect than
properly belonging to our fauna. It is occasionally taken in Arizona
and Texas.

340

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

A butterfly which looks as if it had in part borrowed its shape
from Papilio turnus and its colors from our next species, Papilio
ajax , is Papilio eurymedon. This insect belongs to the western half
of the continent and is plentiful along the eastern base of the Sierra
Nevada in June and July. The caterpillar resembles that of Papilio
turnus.

Papilio ajax. Early Spring Form.

Having little similarity to, and therefore easily distinguished
from our other species of Papilio , is Papilio ajax. Like so many of
this fine family it is an exceedingly beautiful insect. Several varie¬
ties of the butterfly are recognized b}^ naturalists, each having its
own name, which were at one time supposed to be distinct species.
It has been discovered, however, by careful observation that all the
varieties may spring from the same set of eggs, those which emerge
from the chrysalides early being the smaller and lighter and having
short tails to the hindermost wings, those which hatch later being
somewhat larger and darker, with longer tails, and those which are
developed from the eggs and larvae the same season being the larger,
with wide bands of black and having long tails. The accompanying
figures will give a clear idea of the differences between the varieties.

DENTON

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

Under Side

PAPILIO AJAX

■

Summer Form.

PAPILIO AJAX.

PAPILIONIDiE.

343

When fresh from the chrysalis with its velvety wings in the
height of perfection, there are very few insects more beautiful than
this. The graceful shape of the insect, with the delicately tinted
green stripes across the wings between the bars of dark brown and
black, and the touches of blue and red on the lower wings, make it
exceedingly attractive, and the young collector is likely to feel a
thrill of pleasure as he takes from his net the first perfect specimen.
It is a rare butterfly in New England, but is occasionally taken in
the lower Connecticut valley. Throughout the middle and western
states, ranging as far west as the Rocky Mountains, and in the south,
it is a common butterfly. I have had many small and brilliantly

colored specimens from Florida and have collected large and fine
ones in southern Ohio. Near Chillicothe, Ohio, it is exceedingly
abundant during the summer, where it may be seen flying along the
roads and paths by the river or alighting in the fields of clover.

A week’s collecting during July, on the banks of the Little
Miami River, near Fort Ancient in southern Ohio, where I procured,
among others, many grand insects of this species, I remember as one
of my pleasantest experiences in butterfly hunting. It is a grand
locality for collecting, and the fertile valley, with its groves of large
forest trees and fine farms, makes it an ideal spot for a short stay.
The butterflies were most numerous along the banks of the little
river and Papilio ajax , with its tails looking like streamers attached
to its lower wings, was one of the most abundant species.

The food plant of the larva is the paw paw, and with caution the
female butterfly could be approached and watched while she deposi¬
ted her eggs singly on the under side of the leaves. The plants

344

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

selected for this purpose were usually the low bushes not over a foot
or two high, and three or four of the light green larvae were some¬
times seen quietly feeding on one bush. Toward evening the butter¬
flies collected about the paw paw bushes and settled for the night
clinging to the under side of the leaves, where early in the morning
they might be taken with the fingers. Many of the transfers of this
species for this work have been made from butterflies taken in south¬
ern Ohio. It is not difficult to rear this insect in captivity. Some
of the chrysalides are light green and others brown, and are translu¬
cent until the butterfly begins, to form beneath the outer shell.

Several very beautiful species closely allied to Papilio ajax are
natives of Central and South America. In Colombia my brothers
took some of the largest and finest of the group, specimens of which
now adorn our cabinets.

Larva and chrysalis of Papilio cresphontes.

One of our largest and most strikingly colored butterflies is
Papilio cresphontes , a very good idea of which may be had by refer¬
ence to the transfer.

The contrast between the upper and under side of the insect is
very marked, and when oil the wing the butterfly looks black at one
moment and yellow at another, according to which side of the wings
is seen by the observers. The home of this fine butterfly is in the
southern and western states, but it is sometimes to be found in
the north and several specimens have been taken near my home in
Massachusetts within the last few years. It is abundant in southern
Illinois in July, and is not at all rare in southern Ohio at that season
of the year. On looking out of the car window as the train stopped for

**— >

11 1 ' u - pL|r! "" 11 =

■

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

Upper Side

Under Side

PAPILIO CRESPHONTES

PAPILIONIDiE.

345

a few moments at the small station of Fruitland, near Lebanon, Ohio,
some years ago, I was a good deal surprised to see a clover field near
by alive with this insect. They were flying in dozens over the field
and opening and closing their wings as they rested on the clover
blossoms sipping the honey. In the southern states and Mexico this
is one of the commonest of butterflies.

The larva feeds on the leaves of the orange and lemon trees and
at times is sufficiently plentiful to do some damage. It is a large
and formidable looking creature, being purplish brown in color, with
large patches of light yellow disposed as shown in the accompanying
illustration. The chrysalis looks a good deal like that of Papilio
asterias in shape, but is larger and rougher and is mottled with brown,
purple and yellow.

Papilio tlioas.

Closely allied to Papilio cresphontes and looking a good deal like
it is Papilio tlioas. The two species are easily separated, Papilio

346

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

thoas having longer and more slender tails and a wide yellow band on
both sets of wings, while the row of yellow spots between the yellow
band and the outer margin of the upper wings in Papilio cresphon-
tes is often wanting in this species. The butterfly inhabits Mexico

Papilio tlioas. Underside.

and Central America, where it is abundant. It is sometimes taken
in Texas. The caterpillar, like that of the preceding species, feeds
on the lemon and orange.

Papilio asterias appears in May and June and again in August.
It is a handsome butterfly and one which will early attract the atten¬
tion of the young entomologist.

The different stages in the life of this insect are shown on page

334.

The eggs are laid by the female on the young plants of the car¬
rot, parsley, parsnip, etc.

When young, the larvae are black, with a white band across the

PAPILIONIDiE.

347

middle, and orange spots on the sides. They change their color at
each moult and on reaching maturity are light green, with bold black
bands, which partly enclose a number of bright yellow spots. Upon
being disturbed, the larva protrudes a forked scent organ from just
back of its head, which gives off a disagreeable odor. This organ is
orange in color and by the manner in which it is used, one might
suppose the insect to be venomous. Except, however, for the havoc
which the insect sometimes makes in the vegetable garden, it is
harmless.

The caterpillars are exceedingly subject to the attacks of para¬
sites, and it frequently happens that from one hundred of them, one
will obtain but half a dozen butterflies.

An interesting account is given by Mr. Harris in his “-Insects
Injurious to Vegetation” of the manner in which the larva of this
species prepares for its change into the chrysalis state and its hatch¬
ing into the butterfly. He says, The caterpillars usually come to
their full size between the 10th and 20th of July and then measure
about one inch and a half in length. After this they leave off eat¬
ing, desert the plants, and each one seeks some sheltered spot, such
as the side of a building or fence, or the trunk of a tree, where it
prepares for its transformation. It first spins a little web or tuft of
silk against the surface wheron it is resting, and tangles the hooks
of its hindermost feet in it, so as to fix them securely to the spot ;
it then proceeds to make a loop or girth of many silken threads bent
into the form of the letter U, the ends .of which are fastened to the
surface on which it rests on each side of the middle of its body, and
under this when finished it passes its head, and gradually works the
loop over its back so as to support the bod}^ and prevent it from fall¬
ing downwards.

“ Though it generally prefers a vertical surface on which to fasten
itself in an upright position, it sometimes selects the under side of
a limb or of a projecting ledge, where it hangs suspended, nearly
horizontally, by its feet and the loop.

“ Within twenty-four hours after it has taken its station, the cater¬
pillar casts off its caterpillar skin and becomes a chrysalis or pupa
of a pale green, ochre yellow or ash gray color, with two short, ear¬
like projections above the head, just below which, on the upper part
of the back, is a prominence like a pug nose. The chrysalis hangs
in the same way as the caterpillar and remains in this state from
nine to fifteen days, according to the temperature of the atmosphere,

348

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

cold and wet weather having a tendency to prolong the period.
When this is terminated, the skin of the chrysalis bursts open and
a butterfly issues from it, clings to the empty shell till its crumpled
and drooping wings have extended to their full dimensions and have
become dried, upon which it flies away in pursuit of companions and
food.”

Papilio asterias. Male.

Mr. Harris, I think, errs in stating that the larva spins a silken
girth and then “ gradually works the loop over its back,” as those
which I have watched during this performance have spun the girdle
from side to side over the body, bending the head backwards and at¬
taching the thread of silk on each side, repeating the operation until
the loop was sufficiently strong to hold its weight.

So plentiful are the chrysalides at times that I have taken doz¬
ens of them from the underside of the capping board of a fence
which bounded a neglected field of carrots, where the plants had been
stripped to mere stalks by the caterpillars. This butterfly is often seen
in compan}T with other species along country roads, but is not an easy
species to capture, being rather shy and flying rapidly when alarmed.

■

■ ■ - .

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

Upper Sige

PAPILIO ASTERIAS

■W--V k. «gi:~ > < vi» -*)■*>.:>» • l-'-'i-'V- '

PAPTLIONIDiE.

349

If one desires to rear it in numbers, a female should be captured
and induced to lay her eggs on a bunch of the food plant, and when
the young caterpillars appear they should be fed with tender shoots
and protected from the parasites.

Papilio asterias. Female.

There are two broods in one season, and the last, after hatching
into larvse and turning to chrysalides, hibernate during the winter in
this state.

The male and female butterflies may readily be distinguished
from one another, the former being usually smaller and more strik¬
ingly marked, with the yellow spots brighter and more sharply de¬
fined. The female frequently lacks the inner row of large yellow
Spots seen on the upper wings of the male, they being sometimes re¬
duced in size or wholly wanting, while the lower wings are usually
adorned with more blue than is to be found on the wings of the male.

Beautifully colored varieties of this butterfly are occasionally
taken, where yellow and rusty red occupy a large part of the area
of the wings.

350

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

The insect inhabits the whole of the United States east of the
Rocky Mountains, and the southern part of Canada.

Papilio zolicaoyi resembles Papilio asterias in size and shape, but
has much more yellow on the wings, the spots having widened and
lengthened out into wide bands crossed by the dark lines of the
veins.

Papilio zolicaon.

This insect inhabits the western half of the continent and is
plentiful in California, where it has much the same habits as Papilio
asterias , the larvae feeding on the same plants.

Another insect somewhat resembling Papilio asterias but having
much more black than the preceding species is Papilio indra. The
tails, however, are very short and the yellow spots are lighter and
run more together than in either of the other species.

It is an inhabitant of the western half of the continent and was
taken in some numbers by my brother on the mountains in California.

A large and showy butterfly is Papilio troilus. This insect is
common throughout the eastern half of the continent during the
summer months and is familiar to every collector. It somewhat
resembles the female of Papilio asterias , but can be readily distin¬
guished from that insect by observing the red and yellow spots on
the under side of the wings, which are duller in color and more

PAPILIONIDiE.

351

nearly round than in Papilio asterias. There are also several other
well-marked characteristics by which the insects may be separated.

Larva of Papilio troilus.

The female deposits her eggs singly on the leaves of the spice
bush and sassafras, and the young larva is no sooner out of the egg
than it begins to prepare a habitation for itself where it shall be safe
from the prying eyes of the insect-eating birds, This is constructed
in the following manner. Selecting a suitable leaf of its food plant,
the larva commences to spin a fine web backward and forward across
the middle portion of the leaf. As this web is stretched tightly, the

Chrysalis of Papilio troilus.

sides of the leaf soon begin to fold over and as the Aveb is added to,
they finally come together over the back of the insect, entirely shield¬
ing it from sight. Unlike some of the larvse of other butterflies,
which no sooner complete a home than they make their first meal
off the leaves which compose it, this insect rarel}r or never nibbles
its habitation, but keeps it in the perfection of good order and neat¬
ness. It rarely ventures forth during the daytime, but remains
quietly resting upon its silken cot and at evening cautiously crawls
out to feed upon the surrounding foliage. As the larva grows the

352

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

smaller home is exchanged for one more suited to its size, and it is
not an unusual thing to find three or four leaves still green and
perfect which have successively housed the same caterpillar.

The body of the larva is thick toward the anterior end, gradually
tapering from the fourth segment backward.

Mr. Saunders, in describing a caterpillar of this species, which he
found rolled up in a leaf of the spice bush, says : “ Its length was
about one and three-fourths inches, the body being thickest from the
third to the fifth segments. The head is rather small, flat in front,
slightly bilobed, dull flesh color, with a faint tinge of brown. The
body is bright pea green, with a yellow stripe across the anterior part
of the second segment, edged behind with dull black. On the
fourth segment are two prominent eye-like spots, of dull yellowish
or yellowish buff, encircled by a fine ring of black, and a large black
pupil filling most of the lower portion. The posterior portion of this
black pupil is encircled by a shining bluish black ring, the anterior
portion of which strikes a little beyond the middle of the pupil ;
there is also a line of black in front of the pupil extending nearly
across the yellow portion, and a pale pinkish spot in the upper part
of the yellow which is edged with a slightly darker shade. On the
fifth segment are two large irregular spots of the same color, pale
buff, encircled by a faint ring of black, and having a faint pinkish
spot on the anterior portion of each. These spots are nearer to each
other than those on the fourth segment, a portion of the space be¬
tween the fifth and sixth segments being deep black. Each segment,
from the sixth to the eleventh, inclusive, has four blue dots, encircled
with black, those on the seventh, eighth and ninth sometimes being
largest. On each side, close to the under surface, is a wide yellow
stripe, gradually softening into the green above, and edged below
with blackish brown. Immediately below the spiracles is a row of
blue dots edged with black, one on each segment, from the sixth to
the twelfth, inclusive. The under surface is dull, pale greenish or
yellowish white, having a decidedly reddish tinge as it approaches
the yellow stripe on the sides. The feet partake of the same general
color.”

It is a plump, good-natured looking creature, and when fully
grown is one of the handsomest of caterpillars. The eye-like spots
have a droll, almost half-reproachful look, as if they expected you
to beg their owner’s pardon for taking the liberty to expose him to
the daylight.

■!

< '

■

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

Upper Side

Under Side

PAPILIO TROILUS

PAPILIONIDiE.

358

The caterpillar is easily reared in captivity, the chrysalis, if found
in the autumn, remaining unchanged until the spring.

It is wood brown and has two ear-like projections on the anterior
end. It is suspended by its posterior end, with a silken girdle about

Papilio palamedes.

its body, frequently in an upright position, and from a twig or
branch. The butterfly is frequently seen in clover fields, where it
may be closely approached as it thrusts its tongue into the tiny blos¬
soms composing the heads of clover.

Specimens vary a good deal in size, but are surprisingly uniform
in color, and among hundreds of specimens one will rarely find an
insect showing great variation from the prevailing tints. The sexes,
too, except for size, the females usually being the larger, are much
alike.

Papilio palamedes is another grand butterfly. It inhabits Florida

354

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

and the gulf states, and occasionally strays as far north as Virginia.
It is rich dark brown above, with light yellow spots. Below it is
somewhat lighter, with faint yellow spots on the upper wings and
two rows of orange spots on the lower pair. This insect is plentiful
during March in southern Florida. Its larva feeds largely on the
orange.

Papilio palamedes. Underside.

An insect of rare beauty and one of the finest of our native
species is Papilio philenor. It is a widely distributed butterfly, being
found over almost the whole of the continent from Massachusetts
southward, and extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast.

Like many other species, it is exceedingly variable in its abun¬
dance, and although usually rare in New England, was three or four
years ago, one of our most common Papilios. Our eastern specimens
were, however, a good deal smaller and less beautiful than the grand

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

DENTON

Upper Side

Under Side

PAPILIO PH1LENOR

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

355

insects found in the southern and western states. While fishing on
streams in the west I have often seen this butterfly resting on the

Larva and chrysalis of Papilio philenor.

muddy banks, or flying leisurely along the wooded shores, the pol¬
ished surface of its dark blue and green wings flashing in the sun¬
light and adding materially to the beauty of the scene.

Papilio polydamas.

It is often attracted to the flowers of the garden, and clover fields
are a favorite haunt. In such places it is easily approached.

356

PAPILIONIDiE.

The larva feeds on the leaves of the pipe vine, or Dutchman’s
pipe, as it is more commonly called, and is a remarkable looking
creature, being dark brown in color or sometimes even black, with
rows of reddish spots and having many fleshy filaments or soft horns
protruding from different parts of the body. The chrysalis is pink
and brown, with mottlings of yellow on the back.

Papilio polydamas is easily recognized b}r its lack of the tails on
the lower wings so characteristic of the genus Papilio. This insect
inhabits Mexico and Central America and the West Indies, but is
also found in Florida and Texas.

Papilio polydamas. Under side.

The predominating color is black with blue and green reflections,
although less striking in this respect than the preceding species.
The single row of spots inside the margins of the wings is yellow.
Below the wings are brown, with the outer half of the lower pair
black. A row of rusty red spots extends along the outer portion of
the lower wing, and outside of this are several small silvery spots.
A row of light yellow spots crosses the upper wings and both wings
are margined with narrow, light yellow spots.

GENERAL INDEX

Acidalia ennucleata
Actias luna .

Algeria exitiosa .

tipuliforme .
Pyri

iEgeridas

Ageronia

ferona .
fornax .

Agraulis

vanillaj .

Agrotis ....
c-nigram .
lierillis
normaniana
tasselata .
venerabilis
Aletia argillacea .
Alucita hexadactyla .
Alypia octomaeulata .
Amphidasis cognataria
Amphion nessus .
Anartia

jatrophie .

Ancyloxyplia numitas .
Angerona crocataria .
Angle wings .
Anisopteryx autumnata
vernata .

Anisota

rubicunda
senatoria .
stigma
virginiensis
Antennas
Anthocharis .

genutia .
olympia .

Antitliesia pruniana
Apatela americana
lobelias .

Apatelodes torrefacta .

. 121

Apatura

. 227

alicia

. 233

celtis

. 231

clyton .

. 228

flora

. 232

ocellata .

. 230

Arctia ....

. 129

arge .

. 130

nais .

. 129

phalerata .

. 131

virginiea .

. 131

Argynnis

. 284

alcestis .

. 294

. aphrodite

. 293

atlantis .

. 294

bellona .

. 295

cybele .

. 292

diana .

. 288

idalia .

. 287

montinus

. 295

myrina .

. 294

Army worm .

. 72

Assembling .

. 32

Attacus

. 102

angulifera

. 109

cecropia .

. 102

cyntliia .

. 104

promethia

. 105

splendens

. 104

Bellura gortvnides .

. 75

Blues ....

. 179

Bombycida} .

. 82

Bombyx mori

. 115

Breplios infans

. 50

Brown-tail moth .

. 117

Butterflies

. 164

Butterflies, when most abundant.

. 30

Butterfly scales .

tablet .

. 19

112

137

138

137

245

246

296

135

157

260

176

123

329

331

358

GENERAL INDEX.

Cabinet

Collecting about flowers

Calephelis ccenius

207

Collecting butterflies .

Calocampa nupera

Collecting jar

Callicore

256

Collecting moths .

clymena

257

Collecting papers

Callidryas

316

Collecting with a lamp

agarithe

322

Collection. To make a

argante

321

Coelodasys

cipris .

318

biguttata

eubule

316

unicornis

phylea

318

Cotton worm

Callimorpha interrupto-marginata

132

Crambus giron della

lecontei .

133

Cucullia speyeri .

Canker worm

Coppers

Carpocapsa pomonella

Ctenucha virginica

Catocala. Collecting of

Currant borer

Catocala

Cut worms .

arnica

Cycnia egel .

antinympha .

cara

Danais.

cerogama

arcliippus

concumbens .

berenice .

desperata

stigosa

epione .

Daremma undulosa

flebilis .

Datana ....

fratercula

ministra .

innubens

Debis portlandia .

pakeogama .

Ileilephila chamcenerii

parta

lineata

relicta .

Depressaria robiniella .

subnata .

Development of butterfly

unijuga .

Dolba hylasus

Ceratomia quadricornis

151

Drasteria ereclitea

Cerura borealis .

118

Drying insects

Chionobas semidea

210

Drying-oven

Chloerocampa tersa

155

Dusk-flyers .

Chrysoplianus hypoplasas

186

tboe

187

Eacles ....

epixanthe

190

imperialis

Citlieronia .

Edema albifrons .

regalis

Egg ....

Classification

Emerging of the butterfly

Clisiocampa americana

Endropia marginata .

disstria

hypoehraria .

Coddling moth

Erebus odora

Colienis

296

strex

delila

299

Eucirroedia pampina .

dido

296

Euclidia cuspidae .

julia

296

Eudamus

Colias ....

308

batliylus

eurytlieme .

310

lycidas .

philodice .

309

proteus .

14
32

15
34
27

119

186

134

138
76

132

299

300
302
305
152
121
122
221
142
142

152

139

95
119

173
176

174
173

GENERAL INDEX. 359

Eudamus pylodes .... 176

tityrus . 174

Eudryas grata . 135

Eunica . . . . . . 258

monima . 259

Eumenes ...... 306

Eumenia atala . 306

minyas . . . . . 307

Euptoieta claudia .... 296
Eurema lethe ..... 259
Eutrapela clematata .... 54

transvorsata ... 54

Evergreen bag worm .... 125

Everyx chserilus . 145

myron ..... 143

Eeniseca tarquinius . . . 191

Forest tent caterpillar . ... 89

Galeria cereana .... 48

Gastropacha americana ... 90

Gathering chrysalides and cocoons . 38

Geometra iridaria . . . .53

Geometridce . 49

Glass-wings . 137

Gonepteryx . 312

clorinde . . . .315

masrula .... 315

Gortyna nitela . 74

Gramatophora trisignata ... 81

Grapta . 271

comma ..... 274

faunus . 276

gracilis . 281

interrogation^ .... 271

j-album . 278

progne . 277

Greasy insects . 17

Gypsy moth . 116

ELematropis grataria ... 53

Hairstreaks . 192

Halisidota caryas . 125

Heliconia . 305

charitonia .... 306
Hellopliila unipuncta .... 72

Hemaris ditfinis . 141

thysbc . 140

Hesperidas . 165

Heterocera . 42

Hooded owlet . 75

Hybernia tillaria ..... 52

Hypolimnas . 246

Hypolimnas bolina .... 251
missippus .... 249
Hyponomeuta millepunctatella . . 45

Hypoprepia fucosia .... 134
miniata .... 133

Implements for collecting . . 12

Junonia . 262

coenia . 262

genoveva . . ... 263

lavinia . 264

Killing Pests . 18

Kricogonia lyside . . . . 316

Lappet Moth . . . .89

Larva ....... 7

Young ..... 4

Lasiocampians . 85

Leaf-rollers . 46

Leopard moth . 84

Lepidoptera . 1

Leucarctia acrasa . 127

Libythsea . 209

bachmanni .... 209
Life of a butterfly .... 31

Limacodes . 122

quereeta .... 123

scapha .... 123

Limenitis ...... 234

arthemis .... 238

disippus .... 239

eros ..... 241

Ursula . 234

Logoa . 124

crispata . 124

Long beaks . 209

Loopers or spanners .... 49

Lozotasnia cerasiovorana ... 47

rosaceana .... 47

Lycaena ...... 179

comyntas .... 184

pseudargiolus .... 179

Lycaenidas ...... 177

Lycomorplia pliolus .... 134

Macrosila quinquemaculatus . 148
Carolina .... 150

Mamestra picta . 75

Moths . 42

Meganostoma . 311

860

GENERAL INDEX.

Meganostoma csesonia .

eurydice

Megatliymidae
Megathymus yuccae
Melitaea

phaeton .
Melittea cucurbit®
Micro-Lepidoptera
Moult .

Natodonta .
Neonympha canthus .

eurytris .
gemma
sosyhius .

Nepticula
Neriee bidentata. .

Net. The
Nisoniades .

Noctuid®

Nymphalidae

OCNERIA DISPAR .
GEdemasia concinna
Ornithoptera
Orgyia leucostigma
Owlet moths

Pampiiila

delaware
ethlius
leonardus .
mystic
peckius

Papliia .

troglodyta
Papilionid® .

Papilio ajax .

asterias .

crespliontes

daunus

eurymedon

glaucus .

indra

palamedes

philenor .

pilumnus .

polydamas

rutulus

thoas

troilus

turnus

Papilio zolicaon . 350

Parasa fraterna . 124

Parnassius . 332

Parthenos nubilis .... 58

Petropliora diversilneata . . .53

Pheosia rimosa . 121

Philampelus acliemon .... 147

pandoras .... 145
Pholisora catullus .... 169

Pliragmatobia rubricosa . . . 128

Phyciodes . . . ... . 282

tharos . 282

Pieris . 323

oleracea . 323

protodice . 325

rap® . 323

Plusia . 72

®rea . 74

putnami . . . . .73

simplex . 73

Poapliila quadrifilaris .... 68

Porthesia chrysorrhoea . . . 117

Portlietria dispar . 116

Preparing larva and pup® ... 24

Preparations for a cabinet ... 19

Psychomorpha epimenis . . . 136

Pterophorid® ..... 43

Pterophorus pentadactylus ... 43

Pupa . 8

Pyralid® . - . . . .48

Pyrameis ...... 264

atalanta .... 264

cardui . 266

huntera .... 267
Pyrophila pyramidoides ... 75

Pyrgus . 172

tessellata . . . . . 172

Pyrrharctia isabella .... 128

Relaxing Box . 21

Rheumaptera liestata .... 52

Rliodophora florida .... 71

Rhopalocera . 164

Royal moth . 94

Satyrida: . 210

Satyrus alope . 212

nephele . 215

pegala . 216

Saturnia io . 99

maia ..... 100

Silk spinning ..... 8

311

312

166

282

137

118

217

216

220

120

167

223

116

120

308

126

169

170

172

171

225

308

340

346

344

338

340

336

350

354

339

356

337

346

350

335

GENERAL INDEX.

361

Skippers
Smerinthus .

excascatus .
geminatus .
modesta
my ops
Snout butterflies .

Snout moths

Specimens. 'I'o rear .

Spinners

Sphingidae

Sphinx cliercis

drupiferarum .

gordius

kalmiae

Spreading insects
Sthenopis

argentomaculatus

argentata

Sugaring
Swallow tails

Telea poeyphemus .
Tent caterpillars .

Terias ....
j ucunda
lisa .
nicippe
proterpia .

Thanaos brizo

persius .

The carpenter
Thecla ....
augustus .
calanus
edwardsii .
halesus
humuli

. 165

Thecla irus .

205

. 157

niphon

206

. 159

pocas

197

. 158

smilacis

195

. 160

strigosa

201

. 160

titus .

204

. 209

Tlierina seminudaria

. 48

Thyreus abbotii .

155

• 38

Thyridopteryx ephen

erceformis

125

. 82

Timetes

• >

253

. 139

chiron

255

. 154

coresia

254

. 154

petreus .

254

. 153

Tinea flavifrontella

. 155

granella

. 22

Tortricidse .

. 84

Tolype laricis

. 84

velleda

. 84

. 35

Triptogon modesta

160

. 308

Using the Decoy

. 110

Utetheisia bella .

132

. 85

Vanessa

269

326

antiopa .

269

. 328

milberti .

270

. 326

Victorina

242

. 327
. 329

steneles

242

. 168
. 168
. 83

Wood nymphs

210

. 192
. 208

Xyleutes I to 151 ni.k

. 198

Zehra Worm

. 200

Zerene catenaria .

. 193

Zeuzera pyrina

. 203

Zygaenidae

134

■

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Full text of "As nature shows them; moths and butterflies of the United States, east of the Rocky Mountains"

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