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BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS A GUIDE TO THE MORE COMMON AMERICAN SPECIES by ROBERT T. MITCHELL and HERBERT S. ZIM Illustrated by ANDRE DURENCEAU

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NEW YORK

FOREWORD Thi s book pre s e n t s a n i n t rod uct i o n to A m e r i c a n b u tte r­ fl i e s a n d m oths . So n u m erous a re No r th Am e r i ca n s p ec i e s that o n l y a bo u t fo u r p e r c e n t have bee n in­ c l u ded, but the se were s e l ected to i n clu d e the most co m m o n , w i d e s prea d , i m po rta n t , o r u n u s u a l k i n d s . S p ec i a l a t te n t i o n ha s b e e n g i ve n t o i m m a t u re fo r m s a n d t o ra n g e m a ps. A n d re D u re n cea u d e se rves o u r s p ec i a l tha n ks for his m a g n i fice n t a r t, so pa i n sta k i n g l y d o n e. The tech­ n i ca l a s s i sta nce of W i l l i a m D. F i eld ha s a l so bee n i nva l u a b l e . The a u tho rs a re a l so gratefu l l y i n d e bted to other s p ec i a l i sts fo r m e r l y or c u r re n t l y of the S m i th­ son i a n I n st i t u t i o n , e s p ec i a l ly H. W. Cop p s , J. F. Ga tes C l a r ke, Do u g l a s Fe rg u so n , Ro n a l d Hod g e s , a n d E . L. Tod d . A m o n g n u m e ro u s othe rs w h o co n t r i b uted a re W. A. A n d e r so n , T. L. B i s se l l , J. H . Fa l e s , R. S . S i m m o n s , R i cha rd S m i th, a n d seve ra l ento m o l ogists of the U . S . Fo rest S e r v i c e . Thi s Revi sed Ed i t i o n in c l u d es rece n t cha n g e s i n s c i ­ e n t i fi c a n d co m m o n n a m e s a n d g eog ra phica l d i str i ­ b u t i o n s , a n d i t stresses conserva t i o n . Ro be rt Ro b b i n s o f the Un i te d States Na t i o n a l M u se u m g a ve va l u a b l e techn i ca l a s s i sta n ce i n the sect i o n o n b u t te r fl i e s . New a r two r k was d o n e by Ra y S k i b i n s k i . R. T. M . H. S . Z. Revised Edition, 1987 Copyright© 1987,1977,1964 renewed 1992,1963 renewed 1991, 1962 renewed 1990 Golden Books Publishing Company, Inc., New York, New York 10106. All rights

reserved. Produced in the U.S.A. No port ol this book m ay be copied or reproduced with o u t written permission from the publisher. library of Congress Catalog Cord Number: 64·24907. ISBN 0·307·24052·5. GOlDEN BOOKS'", GOlDEN'", A GOlDEN GUIDE", and G Design� ore trademarks

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of Golden Books Publishing Company, Inc.

CONTENTS

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INTRODU C I N G L E P I DOPT E RA C l a s s i fi ca t i o n of Lepi doptera; l i f e h i stori es; eggs, l a rvae, p u pae , a d u l t s; e n e m i es , defen ses; conserva t i o n , rea r i n g , co l l ecti ng; other stud i e s , b i b l i og ra p h y

19

B U T T E RFLI E S 20 30 38

Swa l lowta i l s . S u l p h u r s a n d W h i tes . . B r u s h - footed B u tterf l i e s

61 62 63

Meta l m a r k s S n o u t B u t te rfl i e s . . Gossa mer W i n g s .

......... 74

S K I P P E RS

.............................. 81

MOT H S

Bagworm Mot h s C l e a r w i n g Mot h s S l u g Caterp i l l a r Mot h s P l u m e Mot h s . F l a n ne l Mot h s . Leaf Rol l ers . C a r p e n terwo r m s . S n o u t Mot h s Co se Bearers . Leaf M i ners . O l e t h r e u t i d Mot h s G e l e c h i i d Mot h s T i n e i d Mot h s . Other Mot h s

82 95 1 05 1 06 1 10 117 1 17 1 17 1 18 1 32 1 36 1 38 1 39 1 40

S p h i n x Mot h s G i a nt S i l k Mot h s Tr u e S i l k Mot h s Reg a l Mot h s T i g e r Mot h s . Cte n u c h a Mot h s Fo rester Mot h s . D i o p t i d Mot h s Noctu i d Mot h s . T h e Prom i n e n ts Tussock Mot h s . . l o s i oca m p i d s Za n o l i d s Geometers

1 44 1 44 1 45 1 46 1 46 1 46 1 47 1 48 150 1 50 151 1 52

153 153

S C I E N TI F I C NAMES INDEX

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157

INTRODUCING

LEPIDOPTERA

B utterflies a n d moths are most n u merous in the trop ics, but temperate a reas have a bou ntifu l supply of m a n y species. l i k e a l l i n sects, they have three m a i n body re­ g i o n s (head, thorax, a n d a bd o m e n ) , three pairs of joi nted legs, a n d one pair of a ntennae. Most have two pa i rs of wings. A few a re w i n g less. I n sects that possess certa i n basic stru ctures in c o m m o n a r e cla ssified i nto large g roups o r ord ers. Butterflies a n d m ot h s a re m e m bers of t h e o r d e r Lepidoptera , d e rived fro m the Greek lepidos for sca les a n d

ptera for w i n g s .

Thei r sca led w i n g s d i sti n g uish them as a g ro u p f r o m a l l

other i n sects. W h e n butterfl ies a n d moths a re h a n d led, the sca les rub off as colored powder. Under a micro­ scope, the c o lors a n d fo rms of the sca les ore a m a z i n g . Lepidoptera is the la rgest ord e r of i n sects n ext to Coleo ptera ( beet les) .

Beetles a re estim ated at a bout

280,000 species; Lepido ptera at 1 20,000, with a bout

10,000 species i n North America. Lepidoptera is usua l ly Jugatae, with a bout

divided i nto three su borders: first,

250 p ri m itive species that somewhat rese m b l e caddis­ fl i es; seco nd,

frenatae, m ost moths; a nd , t h i rd , Rhopalo­

cera, the butterfl ies and ski ppers.

The suborder Rhopa l o cera is divided i n to two s u per­ fa m i l ies: Papilionoidea, w h i c h i n c l udes

19 fa m i l ies of

b u tterfl ies, a n d Hesperioideo, two fa m i l ies of s k i p pers. B utterflies and s k i p pers a re easy to d isti n g u i s h by the shape a n d position of t h e i r a nt e n n a e ( p p . 1 9 a n d

74).

The suborder Frenatae i n c l udes a bout fifty fa m i l ies of N o rt h American m oths. No s i n g l e feature wi l l e n a b l e one to te l l a moth fro m a butterf l y o r s k i p pe r, b u t a fren u l u m ( p . 8 1 ) on t h e h i ndwing o f m ost m ot h s ext e n d s t o the fo rewing, holding the w i n g s together. The presence and position of simple eyes (ocel l i) a n d leg s p i n es, the nature 4

moth sca l es

S cover the ngs of a l l Lepidoptera i n overlapping rows. Moth scales are va riable, some· times "hairy." Butterfly sca les are more uniform. Some1 on mal es, a re mod ified into scent sca les.

of the ante n n ae, and the shape and venat i o n of the w i n g s are u sed in moth i dentificat i o n . To m ake vei n s more v i s i b l e fo r study, moi sten the w i n g s w i th alcoho l . T h i s g u i d e empl oys the co m m on names o f bu tterfl i es and mot h s for ease of u se by beg i n ners. But the book cl osel y fo l l ows scientific c l ass ificati o n of Lep i d optera. The 6 fam ilies of No rth Amer i can b u tterf l i es as here i n named are those recog n i zed i n t h e coll ecti o n o f t h e U . S . Nat i onal Mu seu m . They are then broken down i n to genera (pl u ral of gen u s), w h ich i n t u r n co nta i n one o r more spec i es . To help you follow the organ i zat i o n , b u t­ terf l y fam ily names appear i n red, b utterf l y genera and spec i es names i n b l ack. Becau se they are so n u mero u s, moths are d ea l t w i th mai n l y on the fam i l y and spec i es l eve l s . Each spec i es o f Lepidoptera bears a dou b l e scien t i f i c name, such a s Pieris rapae f o r t h e Cabbage Bu tterfly. Pieris is the name of the gen us; rapae is the speci es name. See pp. 154-157 for scientific names of speci es i l l u strated i n th i s book.

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Ia Moth

Monarch Butte r f l y

E GGS OF BUTTE RFLIES AND MOTHS

LIFE HISTORIES Lep i doptera develop by a co m p l ete metamorphos i s, w h i ch i s characterized by fo u r d i sti nci g rowth stages, as shown for the Gypsy Moth on p. 136. The egg h atches i n to a larva, or caterpill ar, w h ich g rows and m o l ts (shed s i ts ski n ) several ti mes before trans­ for m i ng into a pupa from wh ich a w i nged ( u s u al l y) adult emerges later. E GGS of Lep i do ptera vary g reat l y i n s i ze and s h ape. Many are spherical but some k i n d s are fl attened, co n i ­ cal , s p i n d l e- or barrel-shaped . So me eg g s are s m ooth, but others are ornamented w i th r i bs, p i ts, or g rooves, or networks of f i n e r i dges. Each eg g has a s m a l l ho l e t h roug h w h ich i t i s fert i l ized. The ad u l t female m ay l ay egg s s i n g l y, in s m a l l c l u s­ ters, or i n one egg mass. Most often eg g s are depos i ted on a p l an t that w i l l serve os food for the l arvae. So me egg s are l a i d on the g rou nd, and the new l y hatched l arvae m u st seek thei r food p l ants. Egg s l a i d d u r i ng the 6

su m mer are u s ual l y th i n-coated; those that overw i nter before hatch i ng have a t h i cker outer coat and are so me­ ti mes covered by " h a i r" fro m the m oth . T h ey m ay a l so be covered w i th a foamy l ayer, as show n for the Tent Caterpi l lar o n p. 6. Most egg s hatch in a few days. The larva, w h ich can frequen t l y be seen i n s i de the egg just before hatch i n g, eats i ts way o u t and somet i mes a l so eats the egg s hel l . L AR VAE o f Lepidoptera are caterpi l l ars, t h o u g h some are known as worms, s l ugs, or borers. North Amer i can caterpi l lars range in length from 0.2 i nch to abo u t 6 i nches. L i ke the ad u l t, the caterpi l lar has th ree body reg i o n s-head, thorax, and abdo men . On each s i d e of the head are t i n y ocel l i , or s i mple eyes, u sual l y in a sem i -c i rc l e, and a tiny anten na. The mouthparts i nc l u de an upper lip ( l abru m), a pai r of strong jaws ( m and i b l es), two smal l sensory organs {pa l pi), and a l ower lip (lab i u m), w h i ch bears a pai r of spi n nerets, u sed for spi n n i ng s i l k th read s . On each o f the th ree seg ments o f the thorax i s a pai r of s h o rt jo i n ted leg s, en d i n g i n claws . On each s i de of the fi rst thoraci c segment is a spi racl e, an open i n g for breat h i n g . MOTH L ARVAE WITH STINGING SPINES O R HAIRS

7

The abdo men , u s u a l l y co mposed of ten seg ments , bears two t o five pai rs o f short, fleshy pro l eg s. Seg ment 10 bears the l argest pai r, the anal pro legs. Spi racles occu r on each s i de of the fi rst eight abdo m i nal seg ments. Most l arvae feed act ively th ro u g h o u t thei r l i ves. So me k i n d s m atu re in a few weeks , others in months. So me becom e dormant, or esti vate, d u r i n g the s u m mer; others h i be r n ate, ove r w i n te r i n g in n ew l y h atc h ed , part l y g row n , o r fu l l y g rown stag es. Most k i n d s feed o n leaves, but others feed on fl owers, fru i ts, and seed s , or bore i nto stems and wood. A few spec i es are scavengers and a small n u m ber prey on i n sects , especial l y plant l i ce. A few feed on an i m al prod ucts l i ke woo l , s i lk, or feathers. As a larva g rows, it s heds i ts ski n , or m o l ts, al l ow i n g for another g rowth per i od. Larvae i n stages between m o l ts are cal l ed i n stars. Ear l y i n stars may d i ffer from l ater ones in co l or, mark i n g s , and s h ape. Caterpi l l ars w i th horns and spi nes m ay appear treachero u s , b u t o n l y a few, such as the lo, Hag Mot h , P u s s Moth , Sad d l eback Caterp i l lar and rel ated " s l u g s , " have i r r i tati n g spi nes or h a i r s t o avo i d. PUPAE are the resti n g forms i n w h ich the l arvae trans­ form i n to ad u l ts. Most bu tterf l i es and moths in tem per­ ate reg i o n s spend the w i nter as pupae, tho u g h the pupal stage of so me spec i es l asts for o n l y a few days or weeks. In a prepupal stage the larva l oses i ts pro l eg s; l ater i ts mouthparts change fro m chew i ng mand i b l es to a long probosc i s ( i f present in the ad u l t), w i n g s devel op, and reproductive organs form. Exter nal facto rs such as temperatu re and moi stu re may tri gger the chan ges, but the actual transfor mation i s cau sed by hormon es. The butterfly larva, when m atu re, attaches i tself to a f i r m s u pport before chang i n g to a naked pupa, known

8

PUPAL STAGES

as a ch rysal i s. Larvae of swal l owtails, s u l ph u rs, and w h i tes def t l y s u pport thei rs w i th a strong s i lk th read. Most moth l arvae, when full g rown, b u r row i n to the g ro u n d and pupate there i n earthen cel l s . Others pupate am i d dead l eaves or deb r i s on the g rou n d , i n h o l low stems or decay i ng wood, someti mes w i th m aterial d raw n loose l y together w i t h s i lk. Hai ry spec i es u s uall y m i x thei r hai rs w i th s i l k, m ak i n g a fli m sy cocoo n. S i lk Moth l arvae spi n to u g h papery s i lken cocoons that h o u se thei r pupae. When emerg i ng fro m these t i g h t cocoo n s, moths secrete a fl u i d that softens the s i lk. Bag worm Moth s co n struct cocoo n s aro u n d thei r bod i es a s they g row. At matu r i t y they fasten the fi n i s hed cocoo n s to tw i g s w i t h s i l k. Wh ile butterfli es emerge eas i ly fro m ch rysal i ses, moths often exert g reat effort to break t h ro u g h cocoo n s or p u s h thei r way up t h rou g h t h e g ro u n d . Both emerge w i th soft s m all w i ngs w i th m i n i at u re w i n g patterns. As flu i d s are pu mped t h roug h the vei n s, the w i ng s expand. Later the vei n s harden, provi d i n g a r i g i d s u pport for the wing mem b rane. 9

male's claspers at end of abdomen

ADULT b u tte rfl i e s a n d moths ha ve a pa i r of seg m e n ted a nte n nae a n d a pa i r of l a rge, rou nded co m po u nd eyes o n the i r hea d s . M a n y moths a l so ha ve a pa i r of s i m p l e eyes. Butterfl i es a n d m a n y moths ha ve a co i led probos­ cis, which u n ro l l s i nto a long suck i ng t u be through which the a d u l t feeds on necta r a nd othe r fl u i d s . Thi s t u be may be a s lo ng a s the a d u lt's body. Each of the three seg me nts of the thora x bea rs a pa i r of fi ve-jo i nted l eg s . So me g rou ps of bu tterfli es ha ve the fi rst pa i r of legs red uced , a n d fe m a les of the Bagworm Moth ha ve no l eg s. A pair of mem bra no u s w i n g s a re a ttached to the 2 n d a n d 3rd thora c i c seg m e n ts of most butterfl i e s a n d moths but a few k i n d s a re w i n g l ess. The ve i n patte rn of w i n g s is u sed i n c l a ss i fi ca ti o n . At the e n d o f the te n-seg mented a bdomen a re the sex orga n s . They a re u sed in the accu rate i d e n t i f i ca t i o n of m a n y spec i e s . The fe m a l e's a bdomen is u s u a l l y l a rger tha n the m a l e's. The l atter ca n be d i st i ng u i shed by the c l a spers of the sex org a n s which p rotrude a s p l ate- l i ke struct u res at the e n d of the last seg m e n t .

10

NATURAL E NEMIES of Le p i dop­ tera a bou n d . Va r i o u s i n sects feed on t h e m . S o do s p i d e r s , b i rd s , rodents, rept i les, a m p h i b i a n s , a n d n i g ht p row l e rs l i ke s k u n ks a n d rac­ coo n s . Pa ra s i t i c i n sects la y eggs i n a n d o n cate rp i l l a rs , eggs, o r pu pae, w h i c h then beco m e food for the pa ra s i t i c l a rvae. Bacte r i a , f u ng i , protozoa , a n d v i r u ses ca u se d i s­ eases; u nfavora b l e wea t h e r a lso tokes its to l l . DEFE NSES a g a i nst s u c h a host of destruct i ve forces a re n ecessa ry for s u r v i va l . The ca pacity of fe m a l es to l a y h u nd reds of eg g s i s o n e . Ca mouflage, h i d i n g from preda­ tors, is a noth e r. Oth e r p rotect i ve fea tu res a re body m a r k i n g s that frig hten e n e m i es, a n d ha i rs, spi nes, or body ju i ces u n p l easa nt to the m .

MA N i s enemy no. 1. The destruc­ tion of favora b l e h a b i tat from l a nd development has l ed to a g reat dec l i ne in the i r n u m bers. Herbici des and pestici des k i l l the m . Floodlig hts at m a l l s , i nte rsections, and ath letic fi e l d s a re let h a l moth tra ps . Aga i n st m a n , they have no b u i l t- i n defenses. For the i r s u r v i va l , they are becom­ i ng more depe ndent on people who care, and so become i nvolved i n conservation .

Tobacco hornworm with cocoons of b raconid wasp larvae

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CO NSER VATIO N i s o f g row i n g i m porta n c e . At l ea st two species of b u tter­ fl i es are now exti nct, a n d a n u m ber o f ot her Le p i ­ doptera have bee n l i sted as Threatened or Enda n­ gered. Here are so me ways that yo u ca n he l p.

extinct Xerces Blue (Gioucopsyche xerces)

JOI N a cons e r vati on-o r i ented o rga n i zati o n , per­ haps o n e of thos e li sted below. Some 40 states n ow have Natu ra l He r i tage P rogra m s t h at invento ry t h e i r p l ant and ani ma l l i fe a n d make proposa l s f o r spec i e s of spec i al co n ce r n . Co ntact yo u r state off i ce o r Natu r e Conse r v ancy t o l ea rn a bo u t loca l effo rts whe r e yo u can be he l pf u l . The Xerces Society, I 0 Southwest Ash St., Portland, OR 97204. Dedicated Ia the preservation of arthropods and their habitats and promoting annual counts of butterflies in areas throughout the country. The Lepidopterists' Society, c/o Julian P. Donahue, Asst. Sec., Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA

90007. An international society of specialists that publishes o journal of research papers and on annual summary of field observations of Lepidop­ tera of Canada and the U.S. as reported by members. Notionollnslilute for Urban Wildlife, 10921 Trolling Ridge Way, Columbia, MD 21044. Focuses on conservation of urban and suburban areas. The Nature Conservancy, 1800 North Kent St., Arlington, VA 22209. An outstanding conservator and manager of valuable habitats of rare and endangered plants and wildlife throughout the notion.

CRE ATE A BUTTERFLY GARDE N P l a n t s u ch pere nni ­ a l s a s p u ssy w i l low, l i lac, b l ueberry, Clethra, phlox, butterf l y weed and b u tterfl y bu sh, l a nta n a , and such a n n u a l s a s zin n i a , Fre nch m a r i g o l d , a n d sing l e pet u n ia

12

i n you r ga rden to prov i d e butterfly food throughout the seaso n . Also p l a n t a pp ro p r i a te food for l a rvae of the bu tte rfli es tha t co me to feed as i n d i ca ted i n thi s boo k . RE AR butte rfl i e s a n d moths fro m eggs o r la rvae for re l ease. Watch the m g row a n d deve l o p . See how they move, how they feed , what they do. The n ret u r n the m to the i r prefe rred ha b i ta t . Fe m a l e moths co nfi ned i n paper ba g s w i l l ofte n l a y e g g s the re, but b u tterfl y e g g s a re ha rde r t o obta i n . Look fo r the m whe n you see a butterfly e x p l o r i n g the l ea ves ra the r tha n the b l osso m s of a pla nt. Chewed or m i ss i n g lea ves on a p l a n t a re c l ues to the prese n ce o f caterp i l l a rs nea rby tha t yo u m i ght co l l ect fo r rea r i n g . Egg s a n d s mall la rvae a t fi rst ca n b e kept i n t i g htly sea led, clea r polyethy lene sa ndwich bags, together w i th a few l eaves of the i r pla n t food . Keep each k i n d i n a sep­ a ra te ba g . Keep the bag s out of the s u n or excess i ve hea t. Re­ move the l a rva l d ropp i n g s every day or so . Reve rse the bag a n d a d d fresh l eaves whe n ever the old ones sta rt to ye l l ow or to d ry out. Use leaves of the sa m e s pe­ c i es of p l a nt, a n d do not bag the m whe n they a re wet. Tra n sfe r 2 - i n c h l a r v a e to l a rg e r c l ea r bag s or to t i g ht l y sea led ca n s , such a s l-Ib coffee ca n s . To wa tch deve l op m e n ts, the "bouquet" set-up ca n be used (see the i l l u stra t i o n ) .

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"Bouquet" set-up for rearing

13

When a butte r f l y l a rva i s a l most f u l l g rown, put a st ick i n the ca n or bag to e n co u ra g e t h e l a r v a to form i ts c h rysa l i s on i t . la rge n u m bers o f l a te­ i n sta r l arvae of t h e sa m e species a n d a g e ca n be rea red in b i g freeze r bags conta i n i ng b ra nches of the food p l a nt, a s i l l u strated . To c l ea n o u t d ro p p i n g s, u nt i e a n d a l low t h e m to fa l l t h rou g h the o pe n i n g . Large plastic ba g set-up for r�oring la rge n u m bers o f l a r­ many larvae of the same speCies vae ca n be rea red o u t­ doors with l ess ca re by e n c l os i n g t h e m i n a strong net bag p u l led over the e n d of a grow i ng bra nch of a tree or b u s h a n d t i ed sec u re l y fa rther down the bra nch. Caterp i l l a rs t h a t m a ke cocoons, s u c h a s S i l k Moths a n d T i g e r Moth s, ca n be rea red l i ke those of b utterfl i e s . Howeve r, the l a rvae o f Reg a l Mot h s a n d most noct u i d s m u st b e g i ve n a few inches o f da m p (not wet) ste r i l e soil or peat moss i nto w h i c h to bu r row w h e n f u l l g row n . The res u l t i n g pu pae ca n be overw i n te red in sea led p l astic sa n d w i c h bags (a long w i th the da m p med i u m ) i n a refr i g erator. Kee p overw i n te r i n g cocoon s a n d ch rysa l ­ i ses outdoors, i n cages t o protect t h e m from predators. Ad u l ts e m erg i n g fro m p u pae i n the fo l l ow i ng sea so n s m u st b e g i ve n a m p l e roo m for sprea d i n g t h e i r w i ng s a n d a ro u g h surface for c l i m b i ng t o a perc h . Fo r ch rysa l ­ i ses a n d cocoon s o n l y, a scree ned cag e i s n eeded . I t ca n be made fro m a ro l l ed section of w i re scree n i ng or s m a ll­ mesh hard w a re c l oth; u se pa per plates for top a n d botto m . 14

A cylin d r i ca l ca rd boa rd ro l l ed­ oats box m a kes an i dea l e m e r­ g e n ce cage for cocoon s a n d ch rysa l ­ i ses. W h e n the ope n top is covered with a n y l o n stoc k i ng ( h e l d in place by tucking t h e leg a n d toe u nder a l oop of m a te r i a l nea r t h e r i m ) , the a d u l t ca n be captu red and b ro u g h t Homemade cage t o h a n d by extending the l eg a bove the ope n top a s t h e a d u l t flies i nto t h e l eg trying to escape . For pupa for m ed in soil , use topless rou n d ca n s w i t h a roug h (rusty) s u rface for c l i m bing , covered w i t h g a uze, nett i n g , o r a stock i n g . T h e n cover the ca n w i th a pi ece of c l ea r po l yet h y l e n e to keep the soil fro m d r y i n g o u t a n d t o l et you s e e a n y e m e rging mot h s . After yo u have co mpl eted you r observatio n s , ret u r n the a d u l ts t o t h eir prefe rred ha bita t. COLLECT SPARINGLY-a nd be s u re to fo l l ow l a w s co nce r n i n g e n d a ngered spec i e s . The c h i ef aims o f a co l l ecto r s h o u l d be to obta i n s u bjects for rea r i n g or for m a k i n g a study co l l ect i o n . Us ua l l y, a d u l ts a re co l l ected w h i l e feed i ng at fl owers o r ba i t . They are ra re l y ca u g h t on t h e w i n g . T h e specimen i s qu i c k l y tra n sferred t o a kil l i ng ja r. Later i t i s mou nted , sprea d , l a be l e d , a n d cata loged . To m a ke a n accepta ble study co l l ecti o n , some i te m s m u st be p u rcha sed from a b i o l og i ca l supp l y h o u se (see be low). Othe rs ca n be ho m e m a d e . American Biological Supply Co., 1330 Dillon Heights Ave., Baltimore, MD

21228 BioQuip Products, P.O. Box 61, Santo Monico, CA 90406 Carolina Biological Supply Co., 2700 York Rd., Burlington, NC 27215 Word's Natural Science Establishment, Inc., 5100 West Henrietta Rd., Rochester, NY 14692-9012

15

-�,_.__

COLLECTI N G N ETS s h o u l d be l i g h twe i g h t , w i t h r i m 1 2 to 1 5 i nche s i n d i a m eter. Strong n y l o n n e t b o g s h o u l d be 2 7 to 3 2 i nch es deep, rou g h l y f u n n e l- s h a ped b u t n o t s h a r p l y po i n ted a t t h e e n d .

collecting net

k i l ling jar

SPREADING BOARDS a re made of soft wood w i t h a center c h a n n e l i n w h i c h t h e b o d y of t h e spec i m e n f i t s . W h e n spec i m e n i s re l a x ed, i n s e r t i n s e c t p i n st r a i g h t d o w n t h r o u g h center o f t h o ra x , V­ hindwing margin of Comma. Un· l i ke the Zephyr, it is brown be· neath, a n d lacks the g reenish l u ster a bove of the Fawn. La rva feeds mostly in nettles.

1 .8·2 .0"'

50

hindwing of d ark form COM M A is a common o n g l e wing o f moist open wood l a n d . Lo rvo feeds o n n ettle o n d hops. As in a l l a n g l e wings, the Comma has a d a r k summer form, shown i n the hindwing deta i l .

... FAW N , or Green Comma, has a g reen ish tint to its wings. Found i n the m o u ntains from easter n C a n a d a a n d C a r o l i n a s to t h e N .W. states. La rva l ives on birch and a l der, feed i n g o n the u n der­ sides of leaves.

... Z E P H Y R, l i ke the Satyr, lacks dark margin o n hindwing but is g ray beneath. Seen from May to Sept. La rva feeds on elm a n d c u r­ rant. The d a rker form below was once considered a sepa rate species-si/en us.

BU CKE YES a re b r i g h t l y co lored b u tterfl i es , a l l of w h ich have a l a rge eyespot on the u ppers i d e of both the h i n d a n d t h e fore w i n g s. The re a re some fifty spec i es thro ughout the wor l d , but on l y one of the m i s com mon i n North A m e r i ca .

TH E B U C KEYE, a variable •pedes, overwi nters as a n a d u lt. la rva feeds mai ! . ly a n p l a ntai n and Gera rdia. I n its deve lopment, l a rva ( 1 ) attaches itse lf to a sup port ( 2 ) a n d becomes a p u pa (3). Adult develops i n the pupa (4) a n d eme rges with soft wings (5) which soon expa n d (6) and d ry (7).

52

THI S T L E B U TT E R F L I ES a re a widespread g ro u p . O n e species, t h e Pai nted lady, ranges t h r o u g h a l l temperdte and some tropica l a reas. Th ese butterflies freq u e n t fl ow­ ers, especia l l y thistles. A d u lts h i be r n ate. Some species m i ­ g rate. T h e l a rva e a re s p i n y .

PA I N T E D L A D Y is called t h e Cosmopolit a n because o f its wide range. I t is also n oted for its mi· g rations. The l a rva b uilds a webbed n est on the food pla nt, usually thistl e . A d u lts prefer open pl aces. There are usually two broods a year in the North.

WEST COAST L A D Y ranges from the Rockies westwa rd and south to Argentina. I t differs from the Painted Lady in lacking the white bar o n the u p per s u r· face of the forewi n g . It is easily captured w h i l e feeding o n flow· ers. The la rva feeds o n mal lows.

53

... R E D A D M I RAL is fo u n d world­ wide i n n o rth tem perate reg ions. It is a swift e rratic flier seen in open wood l a nd a n d a ro u n d But­ terfly Bush. The l a rva l ives a n d feeds s i n g l y o n leaves o f nettles, the edges of w h ic h i t d raws to-

gether with silk. nate. The Red Admiral is d o u ble­ brooded; the secon d b rood is l a rger a n d d a rker than one shown here. The ranges of the Red Admiral and American Painted lady a re a l most a l ike .

u nderside

A M E R I CA N PA I N T E D LADY, o r H u nter's Butterfly, has two l a rg e eyespots on the u n d e rside of the hindwing. Painted and West Coast lad ies have 5 small spots each. Greenish eggs are laid o n eve rlasting a n d b u rd ock. la rva is black with yellow stripes.

T O R TO I S E S H E L LS i n c l ude butterfl ies that rese m b l e a n g le wings, b u t the i n n e r m a r g i n of t h e forewi ng i s stra i g h t i n stead of concave. Adu lts h i bern ate a n d m a y be seen very early i n sp ri n g . Eggs a re l a i d i n c l u sters. Tortoise s h e l l s a re a circumpolar g ro u p w h i c h is wide­ spread i n the N o rthern H e m i sphere . C O M PTO N T O RT O I S E S H E L L fre q uents open wood­ l e n d s, where its u n d e rsides pro­ vide excel lent camouflage.

C ompton Tortoise She l l

M I L B E RT ' S T O RT O I S E S H E L L is a northern species of open a reas a n d m o u ntain mead­ ows. la rva feeds on n ettle. M O U R N I N G C L O A K occ u rs t h r o u g h o u t t e m p e rate N .A . Ad u lts that have h i bern ated moy be seen s u n n i n g i n early spring with open wings. Eggs are l a id in m asses a r o u n d the twigs of elm, wil low a n d poplar. la rvae may become pests. Mourning C l oak

larva

55

A D M I RA L S A N D S I ST E R S tot a l six species i n N.A. The l a rva, n ot a s spi ny as th ose of other brush -footed butterfl ies, feed s o n a va ri ety of trees. These species a re most ly d o u b l e- b rooded, a n d the tiny l a rva h i b e r n a tes i n s i l k e n she lters o n the food pla nt. W H I T E A D M I RAL, or Banded P u rp l e, l ives in upland ha rdwood fo rests and on mou ntain slopes, where its la rva feeds m ostly o n birch, willow, a n d poplar. T h e a d u lt is readily attracted by putrid rd odo rs.

V I C E ROY, red-b rown i n color, m o m ocs the reputed l y distasteful M o n a rc h But· terfly (p. 38). It is f o u n d in open places, where the l a rva feed s o n wil low a n d poplar. La rva hi bernates a n d d evelops as shown above.

56

A D M I RAL W E I D E M EY E R ' S has wh ite spots a l o n g the margin of the forewing. F o u n d o n m o u ntain s l o p e s a n d w e t pl aces where aspen and wil low g row.

LORQ U I N ' S A D M I RAL has a n orange t i p t o forewi n g a n d a wh ite band on both win gs. F o u n d i n river botto m l a n d . la rva feeds o n cherry, wil low, and poplar.

R E D-S POTT E D P U R P L E , considered . ' b y some t o be a su bspecies o f t h e White Admiral, prefers l ower altitudes and a warmer climate t h a n that species. It a lso"' ,.,,";.·, prefers more open a reas, where the l a rva feeds mostly o n Wild C h erry.

57

CAL I FO R N I A S I ST E R is sim­ ilar to Lorq u i n 's A d m i ral but has b l u e l i n es o n u n d ersides of wings. It is a common C a l ifornia butter-

fly, freq u e n ti n g t h e u p p e r branches o f l ive oaks, o n which the l a rva feeds. The b u tterfly rarely sips n ectar from flowers.

LEAFW I N G B U TTE R F L I ES a re a t r o p i c a l g r o u p i n w h i c h the u n d e rsides o f t h e wings rese m b l e dead leaves. Color and wing shape va ry g reatly. Two seaso n a l forms occur-a wet a n d a d ry. The forewi ngs of the d ry-season form are l ess c u rved . la rva h ides by day i n a ro l l ed leaf. The g o a tweeds a re the only N o rth America n species.

G O A TW E E D B U TT E R F L Y ranges from G a . a n d Tex. u p the Miss. Val ley. Its d ry-season form is l ig hter i n color. Female i s l i ke Morrison 's, but light spots o n wings f o r m a conti n u o u s b a n d .

58

MORRISON'S GOATW E E D has a tropical range but e nters Texas. Mal e is q uite si m i l a r to Goatweed B utterfly but is more b r i l l ia nt. Female ( i l l ustrated) d if­ fers in color and pattern.

E M P E R O R , OR HAC K B E R RY, B U TT E R F L I E S a re fo u n d n e a r Hackberry trees, on w h i c h the la rva feed s i n colon ies. The striped caterpi l la r ta pers toward both e n d s a n d bears two "horns" beh i n d the h e a d . I t h i bernates when pa rtly g row n . Ad u lts show much geogra p h i c varia­ tio n . The fema les a re larger than the ma les and are a l so lig hter i n color.

J

H AC K B E RRY BUTTE RFLY range widely i n open wood l a nds. I n d ivid ual often have a choice perch o n which the) repeated ly l a n d . Some varieties of this butterfly have an incomp lete eyespot, or one or two dark eyespots i n addition to the typica l spot o n the forew i n g . Some a re m uch lighter than normal. TAW NY E M P E R O R is more common i n the South, though it ranges north to New England. Lacks dark eyespots o n the forewin g . La rva similar to Hackberry Butterfly's but has branched head spines.

59

P U R P L E W I N G S a re tropica l butte rflies, usua l ly d u l l p u r p l i s h a bove a n d we l l marked o n t h e u n dersides. Two species occur in southern F lorida a n d Texas .

DAGG E R W I N G S a re ma i n ly tropica l b utterfl ies, with pro l onged tips to their forewi n g s, resemb l i n g sma l l swa l­ l owta i ls. One species breeds in the U n ited States. FLO R I DA P U R PL E W I N G oc­ c u rs i n d e nse h o rdwood hom­ mocks. Dingy P u rple Wing (not shown) is slightly s m a l l e r a n d lacks most o f t h e p u rple shee n

R U D DY DAG G E R W I N G of southern F l a . and Texas, may stray northwa rd. The o r n ate fila­ ment-bearing l a rva feeds o n fi g a n d A nacardium.

T R O P I C Q U E E N S a re tropica l butterfl ies n oted for their bea uty a n d the fema les' trait of mimi c k i n g mi l kweed b utterfl ies (p. 38) . The Mimi c i s a species that was prob­ a b ly i ntroduced i nto the America n tro pics from the Old Wor l d a long time ago. The Mimic occurs in the W e st I n dies a n d loca l l y i n F l o r i d a .

M ETA L M A R KS are sma l l butterfl ies usua l l y h a v i n g meta l l i c spots, from w h i c h the commo n n ame i s d e rived . Ma n y of t h e fifteen p la i n ly co lo red species occu rri n g n o rth of Mexico a re d i ffi c u l t t o disti n g u i s h . I n the tropics, meta lma rks a re common and occur i n ma ny different bright color p a tterns. Males have four w a l k i n g legs, fe­ m a les six. They rest with wings O)J tstretched. The l a rv a e resem b l e t h ose of h a i rstrea ks. 1he pupa is h a i ry, s u s ­ pended b y a stem, a n d s u p p o rted by a si l k t h re a d .

0.9- 1 .0" little Metal mark

•'

Northern Meta lmark

L I T T L E M ETA L M A R K is more common in t h e southern part of its range. I t occurs in open g rassy a reas, where it is d isting uished by its small size and its u ncheck­ ered wing m a rgins. N O RT H E R N M ETALM A R K is r e l a tively r a r e a n d h a s b e e n confused with simil a r species. T h e win g s are d a r k e r t h a n those of t h e litt l e a n d t h e Swa m p a n d hove a n irreg u l a r d a rk b a n d . The Northern prefers d ry hilly ter rain and open woods.

SWA M P M ET A L M A R K l acks the i n n e r d a rk irreg u la r b a n d af the N o rth e r n , a n d wing margins are slig htly checkered. I t occu rs in wet meadows and swa m p s in s u m m e r . O v e r wi n t e r s a s l a rva that feeds o n swa m p thistl e. . P

61

M O R M O N M ETALM ARK, a desert species, occ u rs through the Southwest. I ts wing spots are white rather than meta l l ic. A m o unts of gray o r brown o n hindwing va ry as shown.

NAIS M ETAL M A R K occurs from Colorado to Mexico. I ts wing fringes a re checkered, but i n overa l l a ppearance it is not d istinctly l i ke other meta l m a rks. The l a rva feeds on Wild P l u m .

S N O U T B UTTE R F L I ES a re easily recog n i zed b y t h e long

p rojecti n g

m o uth

pa rts

(pa lpi)

which

rese m b l e

sno uts. like t h e m eta l m a rks, m a les h a ve f o u r wa l k i n g l e g s a n d the fema les s i x . The C o m m o n Snout Butte rfly is the o n ly

snout butterfly reg u la r l y occu rri n g n o rth of

Mexico. T h e l a rva, which g rows very rapid ly, feeds o n H a c k berry.

62

GOSSAME R WI N GS a re small- to med i u m-s i zed b u t­ te rfl ies, ofte n w i th ha i r l i ke ta i ls on the h i n d w i n g s . They a re u s u a l l y b l ue, coppery, g ray, or d u l l b row n a bove.

HAI RSTREAKS, about 70 species n o rth of Mexico, have

a swift, d a rt i n g

flight

and

are

re a d i l y attracted to

flowers .

... G RAY or C O M M O N H A I R­ S T R E A K is also cal led the Cot­ ton S q u a re Borer or the Bean Lyca enid beca u se of d a m a g e it sometimes does to crops. I t over­ winters i n the p u pa l stag e a n d emerges early i n the s p r i n g .

... GREAT PURPLE HAI RSTREAK fema l es have two ta i l s on each h i nd w i ng , a s d o s o m e m a l e s . T h e fe m a l e l a c k s s e x - p a d s- b l a c k spots o n forew i n g . T h e l a rva feeds on m i s t l etoe. D o u b l e - brood ed .

� COLORADO H A I R ST R E A K i s 1 .5"

actu a l l y more p u r p l e i n color than the Great P u rple. The u n ­ derside has a typical b a n d e d pattern . This species is common ly fou n d around scr u b oaks.

63

White-M Hairstreak 1 .2"·

64

Red-banded

Hoi rstreak 1 .0"

Coral Hoi rstreak 1 .3"

W H I TE-M H A I RSTREAK, a southeaste r n species, is n a med for the i nve rted wh ite M o n the u n d erside of the h i n d w i n g . The upper s u rface of the wing i s b l u e .

E DWAR D S ' H A I RSTREAK h a s ova l spots t h a t form b ro k e n transve rse l i n e s. I t frequents thickets of Sc r u b Oak, on w h ich the I a rva feeds.

ACA D I A N H A I RSTREAK h a s widely sepa rated spots i n stead o f tra nsverse l i nes. The l a rva feeds o n w i l l ow. A d u lts a re found in wet a reas where willows g row.

SOUTH ERN HAI RSTREAK h a s orange patches o n the u pper­ sides of both w i n g s, l a rg e r on the h i ndwing. I t i s s i n g l e-brood e d . The l a rva f e e d s on o a k .

R E D - B A N D E D H A I RSTREAK occurs from Florida a n d Mexico to New York and Michigan, but is com moner i n the South. Male up· perside i s brown; female, b l u ish .

CORAL H A I R ST R E A K is tail­ less. Coral red spots on u n d e r­ side may form a solid b a n d . I t overwi nters i n the egg stage. Ad u lts appear by midsummer.

Banded Hairstreok

1 .0 - 1 .2"

California Hairstreak

1 . 1 - 1 .3"

Hedgerow Hairstreak

1 .2"

Sylvan Hoirstreak

1 .0"

CA L I FO R N I A H A I RSTREAK is sing le-brooded, a ppearing o n the wing i n m i d s u m m e r i n t h e foothi l l s. La rva feeds on Cea­ nothus and, probably, on oak.

BAN D E D H A I R S TRE A K occ u r s i n l ate s p r i n g a n d early s u m mer, usually i n o r near wood l a n d s . I t overwinters i n the egg stage. The l a rva feeds o n oak and hickory.

H E D G E ROW H A I R STREAK, reddish brown above, is common i n the Rockies a n d west to the Pacific coast i n s u m m e r. Feeds on Cercocarpus and Ceanoth us.

STR I P E D H A I R ST R E A K is d is­ tinctly striped u n d e r neath. It is widely d istrib uted east of the Rockies. The l a rva feeds o n m a n y p l a nts, i n c l u d i n g oak a n d w i l l ow.

O L I V E H A I R ST R E A K , d o u ble­ b rooded, overwinters a s a p u pa . T h e a d u lts occ u r i n s p r i n g a n d m idsummer, u s u a l l y n e a r r e d ce­ dars, the l a rval food pla nts.

SYLVAN H A I R S T R E A K re­ sembles C a l ifornia H a i rstrea k but is lighter beneath a n d has o n l y one small red spot. The l a rva feed s o n w i l l ow.

65

Western Banded E l fi n

1 .2"

u nd e r s i de

ELFI NS are s m al l- to med i u m-s ized b row n bu tterfl i es; fe males are l arg e r and l ess d ra b than m a l e s . Elfi ns overw i n ter as p u pae and have o n l y a s i n g le b rood yearly. They are among the fi rst bu tterfli es to o ppear i n s p r i ng . T h e m a les of a l l elf i n s b u t He n ry's have a "sex­ spot" o n the u pper s i de of the forew i n g s . W E S T E R N B A N D E D E LF I N rese m bles the Bonded E l f i n , but the bo nd ( m i d d l e of forew i n g , u nder­ s i de) is l e s s i rreg u l a r. la rva feeds

BAN D E D E LF I N , a l so ca l l e d Pine E l f i n , is u s u a l l y f o u n d in open p i n e sta n d s . T h e l a rva feeds p r i m a r i l y o n t h e seed l i n g s of both h a rd a n d soft p i nes, o n w h i c h i t i s we l l camouflaged. BROWN E LFI N, redd i s h brown o n the u n d e r s i d e , i s fo u n d in a n d a l o n g t h e edges o f o p e n woods w h e re its food p l a nts, b l u eberry and She e p la u re l , g row.

66

Western E lfin

0.9- 1 .0"

W E ST E R N E L F I N is obscurely ma rked beneath . I t occu rs i n both lowla n d s a n d m o u ntains, often freq uenting Ceanoth us bl ossoms. The l a rva feeds o n sed u m .

H OA RY E L F I N g ets its n a m e f r o m the g ra y color o n the u n d e r­ side. It occ u rs in open, d ry, heath-covered a reas. The l a rva feeds o n bearbe rry.

H E N RY ' S E L F I N o f o p e n woods is l ess g ray o n the u n derside a n d is dark b r o w n ot the b a s e of t h e sca l l o ped h i n d wi n g . The l arva feeds on b l u e berry.

FROST E D E L F I N male has a sex-spot on the u p perside of fore­ wing. Hindwing has more sca l­ loped border a n d less color con­ trast than that of H e n ry's Elfin.

67

C O P P E R S o c c u r c h i efl y in the N o rth e r n H e m i s p h ere,

with a bo u t sixteen species i n the U n ited Sta tes and C a n ­

a d a . Most a re reddish o r b r o w n a n d have a coppery l u ster, but o n e , the B l u e Copper, is b r i g h t b l u e . Most spe­ cies freq u e nt o p e n a reas a n d roa dsides. A M E R I CAN C OP P E R occurs from spring to fa l l i n fields where Sheep Sorre l , food plant of the l a rva, g rows. Overwinters i n the p u p a l stage. Ad u lts i n spring are brig hter a n d l ess spotted .

G R EAT C O P P E R is one of the la rgest of the coppers. Males h ave fewer b l a c k dots and less orange on the wing margins. The females feed o n dock. Ad u lts emerge i n s u m m e r . R U D D Y C O P P E R S have white m a rg i n s on the wings a n d fewer b l ack spots on t h e u n d e rside of the h i n dwing than othe r coppers. The female resembles the Ameri­ ca n Copper b u t i s larger and not a s b rightly colored. Feeds on Arnica.

68

P U R P L I S H C O P P E R is common from spring to fall, mostly in moist meadows. The u n d erside of the h i ndwing i s marked with a faint red l i n e . The l a rva feeds mostly o n dock and k n otweeds. B RO N Z E C O P P E R frequ ents wet mead ows. I t is d o u b le­ brooded a n d h i bern ates i n the egg stage. The m a r g i n of the u nderside of the h i n dwing has a broad ora nge band. The l a rva feeds mostly o n seve ral species of dock and knotweed.

GO RGO N C O P P E R h a s o n l y a midsummer b rood. Its u n derside is typica l of the coppers. The fe­ m a le rese m b l es that of the P u r­ plish C o p p e r but is less bright. The larva feeds on friog o n u m .

THE HAR VESTER occurs o n l y i n North Amer i ca, b u t a few c l ose re l a t i ves are fou nd i n Africa a n d Ori e nta l tropics. The l a rva feeds on woo l l y a p h i d s tha t l i ve on a l der, beech, and w i tch haze l , and beco mes fu l l grown i n a s l i tt l e a s ten days. There are severa l g e n era t i o n s a year. W i n ter i s pa ssed i n the p u pa l sta g e . The mark i n g s o f the p u pa rese m b l e a mon key's face . B L U E S a re sma l l a n d usua l ly b l u e a bove. T h e l a rvae of some species secrete " h o n eydew" a n d a re atte nded by a nts for this l i q u i d . There is much seaso n a l variati o n i n color. T h e sexes d iffer; fema les usua l ly a re d a rker, with wider dark borders o n the upperside of the wings.

underside

"

0.9- 1 . 1 "

EAST E R N TA I L E D B L U E, very common a l l through its range, occu rs from early spring to fa l l, with several g e n e rations yearly. I t overwinters a s a ful l-grown l a rva, which feeds m ostly on flowers of leg u m es. M a l es i n spring h a v e na rrower dark bor­ ders a bove. Spring females a re d a rker; some a r e brown above.

Pygmy B l ue 0.5-0.7"

u nderside Common Blue 0 . 8 - 1 .3"

Dwarf Blue 0.5-0.7" Common Blue

f) ,,

;:. ·: (,,� I .

r

Western Tai led Blue 0.9- 1 . 1 "

ma le-summer

,.

ma le-spri n g

/1

BIJ a re the small est of a l l N o rth American butterflies. The Pygmy i s common i n its range. Its larva is well camouflaged on Lamb's Ton g u e, its food plant. DWARF B L U E is s i m i l a r but lacks t h e white spot and fringe o n the upperside of the forew i n g .

C O M M O N B L U E, o r S p r i n g Azure, occ u rring throughout N orth America, is a n ot h e r e a r l y spring b utte rfly. Spring forms a r e d a rker than s u m m e r forms, w i t h spots o n t h e u n d ersides s o m e ­ t i m e s f u sed . The u n d erside m a r k­ i n g s of s u m m e r forms a re u s u a l l y pale. The s l u g - l i ke l a rva f e e d s o n flowers a n d excretes a sweet liq­ u i d called h o n eyd ew, for which i t i s followed by a n ts. WESTE RN TAI L E D BLU E is m ost easi l y d i st i ng u i s h e d from Easte r n b y i ts l e s s-spotted u nd e rs i d e . I n some a reas t h e Ea ste r n a n d West­ e r n Ta i l ed B l u e s occ u r tog e t h e r.

71

(2)

underside

( 1 , 2, 3 ) M A R I N E B L U E ap­ pears l ater i n spring t h a n ather b l ues. La rva feeds mostly an buds and b l ossoms of wiste ria, alfalfa, locoweed, and other legumes.

! 4 , 5 ) A C M O N B L U E occurs early spring to fall. The female is brownish or b l u is h . The broad orange b a n d with black spots o n h indwing is d isti n ctive.

! 6 ) R E A K I RT'S B L U E is easily d isti n g u ished by the w hite-ringed black spots on the u n dersid e of the forewing. Mesq u ite is o n e of its food plants.

! 7, 8, 9 ) O RAN G E- B O R­ D E R E D B L U E, or Mel issa Blue, is d o u b l e-brood e d . la rva feeds o n leg u mes. Note orange spots on u p per h i ndwing of female.

C l l S I L V E RY B L U E l a cks the black s pots along the margin of u n d e rside of h i ndwing. The up­ perside resem b les the l ig h t forms of the Saepiol u s Blue.

1 2, 3, 4 1 S A E P I O L U S B L U E is va riable; some forms i n the West are d a r k . The row of tiny orange spots o n the u n d erside of hind­ w i n g i s d i sti n ctive.

1 5, 6 , 71 S O N O RA B L U E a p­ pears very early in s p r i n g . It is fou n d n e a r sto necrop (Sedum) and other succ u lent p l a nts. La rva feeds in the thick p l a n t tissues.

(8,

9, 1 0) SQ U ARE-SPOTTED BLUE occu rs in J u n e or J uly

where its food, Eriogo n um, g rows. Black spots on u n derside a re sq uarish. Resem bles Acmon B l u e .

73

S KIP PER S Ski ppers (more tha n 3, 000 ki nds) a re d i st i ng u i shed from true butterfli es by the a nten nae, which a re fa rther a pa rt at the ba se a n d e n d i n po i nted , cu rved clu bs. S k i ppers a re na med for the i r s k i p p i n g fl i ght. Most a re drab. Ma n y a re d i ffi c u l t t o d i st i ng u i sh. The i r bod i e s a re rob u st a n d moth- l i ke . The l a rvae, d i st i nct l y n a r rowed behi nd the head , rest d u ring the day between l ea ves p u l l ed loose l y togethe r by s ilk stra nds. The smooth p u pae a re for m ed i n s i m i l a r shelte rs, ofte n on the g ro u nd.

D G E D , o r Frosted, r occu rs from southern E n g l a n d to Fla. and west to a n d I owa . U n d e rside resembles Silver-spotte d . La rva feeds mostly o n tick trefo i l s. S I LVER-S POTT E D S K I P P E R, common throughout the warm seasons from so. Canada through C e n . Amer., has d istinctive silve r patch o n the h i n d w i n g . T h e l a rva feeds o n locusts and w i steria.

N O R T H E R N C L O U DY W I N G is d ifficult t o tell from Southern Cloudy Wing. The s pots on the forewing a re u s u a l l y smaller a n d t h e wing fringes are d a rker. I t i s d o u b le·b rooded i n the North, may have th ree o r more broods i n the South, and overwinters in the p u p a l stage. The g reen l a rva, which l ives i n a s i J k. J i ned nest, feeds on cl over a n d other her­ baceo u s legumes.

L O N G TA I L E D S K I P P E R is a lso c a l l ed the Bean leaf Rol ler beca use of the way the l a rva at­ tacks c u ltivated beans. C o m m o n i n the Southeast. It overwi nters as a pupa.

G O L D EN - B A N D E D S K I P PER is genera l l y u ncommon a n d un­ u s u a l l y s l u g g i s h . I t occurs i n wet wood l a n d s from N .Y. south and west to Arizo n a . The l a rva is l ight g reen with yellow d ots.

SOUTHERN C L O U D Y W I N G p refers woods m a r g i n s, especia l l y near clover a n d other l e g u m e s on w h i c h t h e b rown larva feed s. Note the larger wh ite s pots on the forewings.

S L E E PY D U S KY-WI NG, u n like most other d usky-wings, hos n o clear spats on the forewi n g . F o u n d f r o m southern C a n a d a to the G u l f a n d west to the Rockies.

D U S KY-W I N G J U V E N A L'S occurs i n woods margins i n Sleepy's r a n g e i n spri n g . H i n d ­ wing h a s two d i stinct white spots below. Female is paler tha n male.

D R EAMY D U S KY-W I N G i s s m a l l e r than Sleepy Dusky-wing; a lso has n o clear spots o n the forewing. like the Sleepy, it oc­ c u rs i n early s p r i n g .

MOT T L E D D U S KY- W I N G h a s w h i te ma rks of upperside repeated bel ow. Fe m a l e is l i g hter t h a n t h e m a l e. Ad u l ts occ u r i n l a te Ma y a nd m i d -J u l y.

M O U R N F U L D U S KY-W I N G of the West Coast has w hite dashes o n the u nderside next to the white � fringe on the h i ndwing. F U N E R E A L D U S K Y- W I N G , found so u t h west from C o l o . a nd Te x . , h a s w h i t e f r i ng e s an t h e h indw ings. Larva fee d s o n a l f a l fa.

T

76

C H E C K E R E D S K I P P E R , a com­ m o n species, varies g reatly i n the a m o u n t of g ray. Fl ies fast with­ o u t the characteristic skip p i n g motion. La rva feeds o n m a l lows.

(or Larger C a n n a Leaf Rol ler) ranges from Argenti n a n o rth to Tex., So. Cor., a n d occasio n a l l y northward. La rva feeds o n opening l eaves be d estructive.

G R IZZL E D S K I P P E R rese m b les Checkered Skipper, but the fore­ wing spots are somewhat sq u a re a n d separate; its u nderside is d a rker. Also feeds o n m a l lows .

...

Common Sool)(.:._"'' inl�ilo w i t h larva and pupa

1 .0 · 1 .2"

curs throughout North America. I t overwinters as a l a rva o n the food p l an t, p igweed, between leaves that have been rolled to­ gether with silk.

S O UT H E R N S OOTY-W I N G i s l i ke the Common, but wings have faint dark bands. Occ u rs from P o . to Nebr. a n d the S . E . La rva feeds on Lamb's Q u a rte rs.

77

A

A L EAST S K I P P E R, common east of the Rockies from spring to fa l l , flies close t o the g ro u n d , u s u a l l y i n m a rshy a reas. It v a r i e s i n t h e a m o u n t of orange a bove.

U N CAS S K I P P E R of the Great Plains can be recog n ized by the dark patches around the white spots on the u nderside of the hindwing.

C O BW E B S K I P P E R occurs in early spring from Wisconsin a n d Texas eastward. I t a n d the I nd i a n S k i p p e r resem b l e U ncas Skipper.

J U BA S K I P P E R i s fo u n d i n s a g e b r u s h r e g i o n s from the P a ­ c i fi c coasta l states e a s t to Colo­ rado. See n in both spring, fall.

I N D I AN S K I P P E R a p pears in early spring i n eastern U n ited States a n d C a n a d a . La rva feeds o n Panic Grass. L E O N A R D ' S S K I P P E R , a l ate s u m m e r, easte r n species, fre­ q uents wet mead ows and open regions. The l a rva feeds on g rass and overwi nters when sma l l .

G O L D E N S K I P P E R o f the a rid Southwest occ u rs from April to Septe m ber. The u n d e rside is p l a i n yellow. La rva feeds o n Ber­ m u d a Grass (Cynodon dactylon).

T

0.7-1 .0"

B R O K E N DASH is named for the dash mark o n u p p e rside of ma le's forew i n g . U n l ike Peck's, it is broken i nto a long u p per m a r k a n d a l o w e r d o t . Both sexes l a c k Peck's yel low patches o n u n d er­ sides. Found east of Rockies.

L O N G DASH has a n i rreg u l a r, da rk, o b l i q u e m a r k on forewing of male. Yellow a reas, less d is­ tinct than in Peck1s, occ u r o n u n d ersides i n b o t h sexes. Long Dash occ urs from Virg i n ia a n d I l l inois north into C a n a d a .

V E R N A L S K I P P E R, o r Little G lassy Wing, is a midsummer species found east of the Rockies. Female resembles male. The l a rva feed s on g rass.

P E C K ' S S K I P P E R occ u rs from so. Canada and New Eng. south to Fla. a n d west to Ka ns. and Ariz. U n d ersides of both sexes have d istinct yellow patches.

F I E RY S K I P P E R has cha racter­ istic short antennae and varies i n color patter n . The female is dark brown with a few l i g ht spots a bove.

F I E L D S K I P P E R , or Sachem, oc­ c u rs i n the South in s p r i n g . By midsummer it ranges to N .Y., N . Oak., a n d S a n Francisco. L a rva feeds on Be r m u d a Grass.

from Ko nsas to southern Canada. Female h a s two color forms, o n e like the m a l e a n d the other, o r "Poca hontas," being q u ite d a r k a n d d ifferent a bove.

... ZA B U LO N S K I P P E R is found from Massachusetts to Texas. Male rese m bles Hobomok and fe­ male looks l i k e the Pocahontas form of Hobomok. Z a b u l o n a n d Hobomok both feed o n g rasses.

ROA D S I D E S K I P P E R has hind­ wings without markings. Wing fringes a re stro n g ly checkered. I t occurs f r o m southeast C a n a d a t o F l o r i d a a n d west t o C a l iforn ia. The p u pa winters o n g rass.

OCOLA S K I P P E R ranges as far n orth a s N.Y., and is common from Virg i n i a and Arkansas south to Florida and Texas. The markings of its forewings a re repeated on the u n derside.

�

80

YU CCA S K I P P E R occu rs i n semi-arid reg ions f r o m the Ca ro­ linas to Florida and west to C a l i­ forn ia. Females are l a rger than males, with a row of fo u r yel low spots on the h i ndwing. Both h ave broad wings a n d stout bod ies. La rva feeds on yucca stalks.

M OT H S The

8,000 o r so species of

moths which occur in N o rth

A m erica north of Mexico have bod ies more p l u m p a n d fu rry tha n

those o f

butterfl ies. A t rest, moths usua l ly hold their wings flat o r fold t h e m roof- l i ke over their

backs.

Their a nten ­

n a e , often feathery, vary in structure but usua l ly l a c k t h e term i n a l

c l u b typi ca l

of butterfl ies. Most moths have a fre n u l u m , a c u rved

occu rs throughout eastern North Amer­ ica. The lo rvo, active ot nig ht, feeds on the Trum pet Vine. See pp. 82-94 for other sphinxes.

spi n e o r g r o u p of bristles o n the i n ner (h u m era l ) a n g l e o f t h e h i n d wi n g . This h e l p s t o h o l d t h e fore a n d h i n d ­ wings together i n flig ht. Most moths fly at ni g h t a n d a r e a Hra cted to l i g hts. A few female m oths d o n o t fly a t a l l . la rva e o f moths spi n silken cocoons o r p u pate o n t h e g r o u n d or i n u ndergro u n d cells. I n this secti o n , moths a re treated as c o m m o n ly recog­ n ized groups which

usua l ly, but n ot a lways, i n c l u d e

c losely related species. Below: Types of moth a nten nae. Right: Un­ d e rwing Mot h : u n derside of wings showing fre n u l u m .

'­ '

S P H I NX M OT H S , a b o u t 1 00 N . A. species, h a v e l a rge, sto ut l a rv a e t h a t h o l d t h e body erect, i n a s p h i nx - l i k e positi o n . Most l a rvae have a h o r n at t h e rea r of t h e b o d y . A d u lts a re powerfu l f l i e rs; they often have a l o n g p roboscis, u s e d to s u c k n e cta r. Some a re c a l l e d h awk­ moths for t h e i r swooping f l i g ht; othe rs, h u m m i n g b i rd moths because they h over w h i l e fee d i n g . P I N K - S P O TT E D H AW K ­ M OTH ranges throughout most of the Weste r n Hem isphere. The l a rva, o r Sweetpotato Hornworm, feeds o n Sweet Potato vines and c l osely related p l a n ts. This hawk· moth is a stro n g flier and has been seen far a t sea.

read ily told from the F ive-spotted Hawkmoth by the p a rtial fusion of the two middle black stripes o n the hindwin g . The l a rva, or Tobacco Hornworm, feeds o n to4 bacco and tomatoes throughout the U.S. The p u pa, formed under­ ground, has a l o n g e r tongue case than the Tomato Hornworm's.

R U ST I C S P H I NX, or Six-spotted Sphinx, is common in southern states. On the sides of the body are three p a i rs of yel low spots. la rva re­ sembles Tobacco and Tomato Hornworms, but the skin is rough i nstead of smooth where· the m a r k i n g s a p pear. Feed s m a i n l y o n the F r i n g e T r e e a n d jasm i n e .

M OTH, u n l i ke C a rol i n a Sphinx, has the black stripes o n the h i n d­ wing sepa rated . la rva, the To­ mato H o rnworm, commo n ly feeds on t o b a c c o . W h i te a b d o m i n a l marks form a n a n g l e i n stead of a single o b l i q u e l i n e as on the Tobacco Hornworm. Widespread i n tempe rate N . A .

83

.... WAV E D S P H I N X resembles the Ca­ talpa Sphinx but is brig hter, with more wh ite scales on the forewings. The l a rva, which feeds mostly o n ash but also on privet and lilac, is g reen a n d smooth. It has the oblique ma rks typical of sphinx larvae and often has pink legs, horn, a n d face.

is the d estructive Catal paworm, which when n u merous strips ca­ talpa trees of all foliage. The moths lay masses of w h ite eggs o n the undersides of the leaves. The velvety larvae occ u r i n two color forms, as shown. There are commonly two broods each yea r. The larvae are so h i g h l y su bject to attac k by a parasitic wasp that few of them survive to become p u pae and moths.

FOU R- H OR N E D S P H I NX, or E l m Sph inx, occu rs from C a n a d a to Florida, a n d west thro u g h the Miss. Valley . Adu lt has p a l e r col o r on front margin of fore­ wing than Catalpa and Waved sphinxes. The l a rva, which feeds on e l m o r birch, has fo u r g reen o r b rown rough p rojec­ tions o n the thoracic seg ments.

�

H E R M I T S P H I N X l a rva, which feeds o n m i n ts, has a n abrupt hump near its front e n d . Herm it­ l i ke S p h i nx, of the Southwest, is similar but is light g ray a n d lacks the long black stri pe down the middle of its a bdomen . PAWPAW S P H I N X is brown of varying shades, with sma l l wh ite spots o n each side o f the center abdominal stripe. The la rva feeds o n leaves of Pawpaw � a n d Black Alder.

85

E L EGANT S P H I N X is m uch like the Great Ash Sphinx but is a darker g ray. These m oths are fre q uently seen at eve n i n g prim­ rose flowers. The l a rva is some­ times a pest of a pple and p l u m

Great Ash Sphinx l a rva

G R EAT A S H S P H I N X, o r Pen­ marked S p h inx, g ets the latter name from the black wavy streaks o n the forewings. I ts thorax is lig hter than that of the A p p l e S p h i n x o r Wild C h erry Sphinx and lacks the w hite streaks on the sides. The larva feed s mostly on ash trees but also on lilac a n d privet. I t is doubl e-brooded i n some a reas, but i n others it occurs i n a l l stages from spring t o fa l l .

86

L A U R E L S P H I NX, in spite of its n am e, feeds mostly on the leaves of lilac a n d Fringe Trees. I t closely resembles the Apple a n d Wild C herry Sphinx Moths i n form but has a d istinct brown color.

A P P L E S P H I NX resembles the Wild C herry Sphinx but lacks both the white shading along the front edge of the forewing and the black band d own the side of the abdomen. I t occu rs i n mid­ summer. The l arva is bright g reen a n d has seven sla nted white l ines edged with pink. I t feeds mainly o n apple, ash, wild rose, Myrtle a n d Sweet Fern. WILD C H E RRY S PH I NX looks much like Apple Sphinx but has a lateral black band on the ab­ domen. The larva feeds on cherry, p l um, a n d apple. U n l ike most other hawkmoth larvae, it hides d u ring the day. I t is d a rker than the larva of Great Ash Sphinx and has violet body stripes. I n the Apple Sphinx these are p i n kish; i n the La u re l Sphinx they a re often b l u ish ma rked with black.

87

E LLO S P H I N X i s co m m o n from t h e Gu l f states to t h e t ropics a n d often strays nort hwa rd . Fe m a l es l a c k t h e d a r k strea ks i n t h e fore­ w i ngs. The l a rva feeds most l y on po i nset t i a a n d

ABBOT'S P I N E SPH I N X is some­ what v a r i a b l e in ca l o r pattern a n d rese m b les N o r t h e r n , a s does t h e l a rva . T h e l a rva feeds on p i nes a n d , l i ke the Northern l a r va , may beco m e destruct i ve .

88

Abbot 's P i n e te n d t o i n tergrade w h e re ra nges ove r l ap. T h e l a r v a , w i t h t r i a ng u l a r h e a d a n d no typi ­ ca l ca u d a l h o r n , feeds on w h i te , p i tc h , a n d j a c k p i nes.

B i g Pop lar Sphinx

3.5-5.5"

i n b o t h a pale a n d form. The larva has g ra n u l a r skin a n d a n short caudal horn. I t poplars a n d w i l lows.

occu r s a d a rker a rough, u n us u a l l y feeds o n

A B BOT'S S PH I N X has two forms of matu re l a rva, one shown above and a n other bright g reen with brown spots. Young l a rvae are like that i l l ustrated. La rvae feed o n grape and wood bine.

S E Cj) U O I A S P H I N X was fi rst found resting o n a Seq uoia tree and was so n a m e d . It freq uents the blossoms of Wild C h e rry a n d buckeye. T h e l a rva feeds o n Wild C h erry leaves.

89

ONE-EYED SPH I N X is d a r k e r a n d more c o m m o n i n t h e western part of its range. Larva (an w i l low) rese m b l e s t h e S m a l l -eyed Sph i n x b u l l o c k s red spats a n d h a s a p i n k , v i o l et, or b l u e ho r n. ... 2.0-2.5"

H U C KLEBE RRY SPH I N X m a y be c o n f u s e d w i t h S m a l l - e y e d Sph i n x , but t h e o u t e r e d g e of t h e forew i n g is stra i g h t i n stead of co n ­ cave. T h e l a rva feed s o n b l u e berry and h u c k l e berry.

SMALL-EYED SPHINX a n d other eye- spoiled sph i n xes rest w i t h a l o be of t he h i n d w i n g exten ded before the forew i n g a n d , in the case of the m a l e , w i t h the a b d o m e n cu rved upwa rd. Spots on l a rva v a r y o r a re a b se n t . Prefers W i l d C h erry b u t a l so feed s o n b i rc h a n d other trees. Occ u r s from sou t h e r n Ca n ­ a d a t o F l o r i d a a n d west t o t h e Roc k i e s.

TWIN-SPOTTED SPHINX gets it s name fr o m the b l u e ba r across eac h eyespat o n t h e h i n d w i n g . L arva ca n not be to l d from t h a t of O n e ­ ey e d S p h i n x . I t f e e d s o n W i l d C h e rry, b i rc h , a n d w i l low. WALNUT SPHINX is a re l a t i v e l y co m m o n s p h i n x mo th fo u n d from New E n g l a n d s o u t h to F l o r i d a a n d west t o Ma n i toba a n d Tex a s . T h e act i ve l a rva feeds o n l y o n wa l n u t, Buttern u t , peca n , a n d h ickory, a n d i s somet i m e s co m mo n i n peca n o rc h a r d s . T h e m o t h s v a r y con s i d ­ era b l y i n co l or. T h e l a r vae v a r y i n co lo r a l so, f r o m g reen t o redd i s h .

BLI N D E D S P H I N X es t h e Sma l l -eyed, but its forew i n g s have sca l l o ped m a rg i n s . The l a rva a l so looks l i ke that of S m a l l -eyed . It feeds o n a v a r i ety of trees but pre­ fers b i rc h , w i l l ow, and cherry.

N E S S U S S P H I N X fl ies at early d usk. The l a rva resembles that of the Hog Sphinx but has a s horter horn and more o b l i q u e ma rks on the side of the body. I t feeds on grape and Virg i n i a C reeper. AZALEA S P H I N X resembles the Hog S p h i n x a l so, but the forewi n g i s brown i nstead of g reenish and the h i n dwings are entirely orange-brown. The larva feeds o n v i b u r n u m a n d azalea. H O G S P H I N X, o r Virg i n ia­ Creeper S p h i nx, shown a t rest, has h i ndwings a l most entirely bright orange-brown. I t is com­ m o n a n d sometimes becomes a pest in vineyards. U n l i ke most hawkmoth l a rvae that b u r row i n the g ro u n d t o p u pate, a Hog Sphinx l a rva forms a loose co­ coon of sil k among dead leaves on the g ro u n d .

92

H Y D RA N G EA S P H I N X occurs i n much the sa m e range a s Hog Sphinx. At rest it assumes the po­ sition shown for Hog Sphinx. The l a rva feeds on Hydrangea, But­ ton bu sh, a n d Swa m p loosestrife.

AC H E M O N S P H I N X l a r v a rese m b l e s t h a t o f P a n d o r u s S p h i n x except t h o t t h e spots o n t h e s i d es of t h e body a re long and a n g u l a r i nstead o f ova l . T h i s s p ec i e s feeds on g r a pe a n d V i rg i n i a C reeper.

& PAN DORUS SPHINX, w h e n a n a l most h a l f-grown l a rv a , loses i t s h o r n a n d acq u i res a g l a ssy eye­ spot i n i t s p l ace. The l a rva , g reen or redd i s h brow n , feeds o n g ra pe a n d V i rg i n i a C reeper. LESSER V I N E SPHINX, a trop i ­ ca l spec i e s , stra y s i n to New E n g . La rva fee d s on g ra pe a n d Va . C reeper. It i s m a rked w i t h b l a c k , w h i te , a n d r e d , a n d h a s a n eye­ spot i n p l ace of a h o r n .

Common C learwing, va ries in color with season a n d race. The ''clear" wing appears as scales weor off soe:>n afte r the moth emerges. Feeds at flowers by day. S N OW B E R R Y C L E A R W I N G a l so h a s seaso n a l a n d rac i a l for m s . I t d i ffers from t h e H u m m i ng b i rd Moth i n h a v i n g o n u n sea l ed ce l l o n t h e f r o n t e d g e of t h e fore w i n g n e a r the body.

W H I T E - L I N E D S PH I N X, or Striped Morn ing Sphinx, often flies by day. The larva is some­ times g reen with a series of yel­ low spots. When a b u n dant it is a pest, feed ing on many broadplants from southern Can­ ada i nto Centra l America. G A L I U M S PH I NX is from the Old World. The l a rva, like that of the White-l ined Sphi nx, has two color forms. In E u rope it feeds on bedstraw (Galium) b u t in Amer­ ica mainly on Epilobium and other plants.

94

CYNTH I A M OT H , i ntrod uced from C h i n a, is fou n d in cities from Boston to Sava n n a h and west­ ward to I nd i a n a _ The l a rva, which

feeds on Ailanthus, resembles the Cecropia l a rva, but all t u be rcles a re b l u e _ The cocoon s h a n g l i ke those of the Promethea Moth_

G IA N T S I L K M O T H S , most of w h i c h a re l a rg e and at­ tra ctive, n u m be r a bout

42 species n o rth of Mexi co. S o m e

h ave c l e a r spots, o r "wi n d ows," i n their w i n g s . I n s o m e the sexes d i ff e r i n s i z e a n d c o l o r, but m a les c a n a lways be told by their m o re feathery a nte n n a e . The proboscis is barely d eve loped, i n d i cati n g that a d u lts d o not feed . The h i n d w i n g h a s no fre n u l u m _ T h e l a rva, w h i c h feed s m ostly on leaves of trees a n d s h r u bs, is o r n ately a rmed with tubercles a n d spines_ The cocoo n , l o n g a n d ova l , is m a d e of si l k a n d i s atta ched t o t h e food p l a nts. Easily spotted i n winter_ T h ese n i g ht-flyi n g moths c o m e to lig hts, a n d u n mated fe m a les attra ct d i sta nt m a les. You can o b­ ta i n speci m e n s a n d study m ati n g , egg layi n g , a nd g rowth by p l a c i n g a newly e m e rged fem a l e in an o ut-of-d oors cage and wa iti n g for the m a les to rea c h the cage.

95

CECROP I A M OTH is sing le­

brooded. The female lays 200 to 300 wh itish ova l eggs, a few at a

time, usually on the u nde rsides of l eaves. The l a rva feeds o n a va­ riety of trees and s h r u bs but m a i n l y o n c h e r ry, p l u m, elder­ berry, a p ple, box-e lder, maple, wa l n ut, b i rch, a n d willow. The overwinte r i n g cocoon does not h a n g but is attached len gthwi se to a twig of the p l a n t on which the l a rva has fed .

96

G L OV ER'S S IL K M OTH re­ se m b l e s Cecropia in early stages, but ma t u re l a rva has yel low i n ­ stead o f red t h o racic tu bercles. Feed s a n che rry, wil low, alder, wild cu rra nt, a n d other p l a nts. C EANOTHUS S IL K MOTH i s s i n g le-b rooded . la rva resembles that of G l over's, b u t its yellow thoracic tu bercles a re ringed with black at the m i d d l e . Prefers buck­ bush (Ce a nothus) l eaves.

97

2.0-3.3" COLUMBIA S I LK MOTH l a rva h a s red thoracic t u be r c l e s l i ke t h a t o f Cecrop i a , b u t t h e y a re r i nged with black a t t h e base . T h e cocoo n , attached l e n g t h w i se , h a s s i l v e r y strea k s . A d u l t rese m b l e s a s m a l l Cecro p i a Moth b u t l ac k s redd i s h m a rg i n s t o t h e w h i te w i n g ba n d s .

PAN DO RA MOTH, a pest o f p i ne forests, h a s a two-yea r l i fe cyc l e . The f i r s t w i nter i s s p e n t a s a pa r t l y g rown l a rva o n trees a n d t he sec­ ond a s a p u pa in the g ro u n d . No cocoon is s p u n .

98

POLYPH E M U S M O T H , per­ haps the commonest giant silk moth, was named after the one­ eyed g i a n t Polyphemus of Greek mythology because of the large eyespots on its h i ndwings. I n the South it has two broods. The accordi!>n-shaped l a rva feeds on a variety of trees a n d shrubs, especially o n oak, hickory, elm, m a ple, a n d birch. The rounded, tough, parchment-l ike cocoon is found h a n g i n g o n the food plant.

99

P R O M E T H E A M OT H , a l so called the Spicebush Si l k Moth, was once considere d a s a pos­ sible basis for deve lopmen t of a n American si l k i n d u stry. Males fly i n the late afternoon-an u n usual habit. Spicebush, Sassafras, T u l i p· tree, a n d W i l d C h e rry are pre· !erred foods of the l a rva. The cocoon is a lways s u s p e n d ed on the food p l a n t, where it can eas· ily be seen in winter. There a re two brood s yearly in the South.

1 00

cocoon

T U L I P -T R E E S I L K M OT H l a rva feeds mostly o n t u l i p trees. I t rese m b l e s the Prometheo l a rva but has fewer and shorte r tu. bercles. The cocoon i s not fas· tened to the food plant a s with most other l a r g e silk moths. The male looks more l i k e its mote than does the m o l e P rometheo. The T u l i p -tree Silk Moth flies o n l y at n ig ht. L i k e Prometheo, it i s d o u b l e-brooded i n the S o u t h , but it is not a s common a s Promethe a .

101

seaso n a l f o r m s where it i s d o u b le-broode d . The summer form has y e l l o w wing margi ns, whereas the spring form h o s p i n k to p u rple w i n g marg i n s. La rva feeds m a i n l y on Sweet Gum, hicko ry, w a l n u t, birch, a n d o a k . Pupa is active i n i t s papery cocoon, usually s p u n on the g ro u n d .

1 02

mole 2.0·3.0"

-

1 0 M OT H , n a med for a mythi­ cal G reek maiden, has conspicu­ o u s eyespots o n the h i ndwings. Egg s a re laid i n c l u sters. The l a rvae, which have i rritati n g s p i n es, stay to g ether a n d move i n l o n g train s. T h e y feed o n a wide variety of p l a n ts, i n c l u d i n g corn a n d roses. The l a rvae spi n thin, papery cocoon s o n the g ro u n d . SHEEP MOTH eggs, laid i n masses a r o u n d twigs, h atch i n the sprin g _ The l a rva feed s m a i n ly on p l ants of the rose family. When mature it is b rownish-black with tan a n d black spines, red spots d own the midd le, and a red l i n e o n e a c h s i d e . P u pates early. T h e m o t h emerges i n the summer, some in the second summer.

B U C K M OTH flies by day. I n fal l, females lay eggs i n c l u sters around a twig, usually oak. The eggs h atch i n spring. Like those of the lo, B uck l a rvae feed to­ g ether and have sti n g i n g spines. la rvae d o not spin cocoons but b u rrow into the ground a n d pu· pate. Most moths emerge i n fal l , s o m e the n ext s p r i n g o r the fol­ lowing fa l l .

the Buck Moth i n most respects. The l a rva i s greenish instead of g ray and has b rown spots on each side of the back a n d along the sides of the body. The spi­ racles are yell ow, edged with b rown . The larva feeds o n wil low and poplar. Moths are found from September to Nove mber.

1 04

RAN G E CAT E R P I LLAR, a riaus range pest in the South­ west, feeds o n g rasses a n d some­ times attacks corn a n d other crops. Moths occ u r i n the fa l l a n d , although d ay-flying, a r e at­ tracted to lig hts at nig ht- The eggs are laid in masses around plant stems. The cocoon is of loosely joined plant fragments.

T R U E S I LK M OT H S a re not native to N o rth A m erica . T h e si l kworm that produces the si l k used for th read comes from Asia, w h e re the C h i n ese fi rst learned to u n ravel the si l k from cocoons so m e

5,000 years a g o . I n c o m m e rcia l

si l k p rod ucti o n the moths a re i n d uced to lay eggs o n cards. T h e eggs hatch i n a bo ut

1 0 days, a n d t h e "wo rms"

a re fed m u l be rry leaves. T h ey eat stead i l y u nti l i n a bout a m o nth t h e si l kworm becomes f u l l - g row n . Soon every la rva is ready to spi n a cocoo n . A few cocoons a re a l­ lowed to develop i nto m oths, but m ost a re p l a ced i n boi l­ i n g water so t h ey ca n be u n raveled easily. T h e si n g l e

500 1 ,300 yards l o n g . Stra n d s a re com b i n ed to make a

stra n d o f si l k t h a t m a kes e a c h cocoon m a y be from to

th read not yet d u p l i cated by a n y synthetic fiber.

R EGAL, O R R OYAL , M OT H S a re medi u m - to l a rge­ si zed . There a re fewer tha n twe n ty sp ecies in A m e ri c a n o rth of Mexico. Caterpi l l a rs, genera l ly spi ny, f e e d o n m a n y k i n d s of trees. la rva e o f so m e species a re destruc­ tive to forests and shade planti n g s . The caterpi l l a rs d o n ot spi n cocoons b u t bu rrow i nto the g r o u n d , where the p u pa i s fo rmed. At rest, Rega l Moths usua l ly fold their wings roof- l i k e over their bodies. like si l k m oths they a re n ot attracted to bait but a re attra cted to lig hts.

M OT H varies i n the color o f its wings a n d in the presence or a bsence of forewi ng markings. The la rva feeds on Honey Locust a n d Ken­ tucky Coffee Tree. This m oth is d o u b le·brooded. I t ove rwinters a s a p u pa i n the g r o u n d . RO SY M A P L E M OTH l a rva, called the Green·striped Maple Worm, overwinters a s a pupa. Like oakworms (p. 1 07) they feed i n large colonies and sometimes strip Red and Silver m a ples of their leaves. There a re two broods yearly.

OAKWO R M M O T H S a re easier to te l l a p a rt as l a rva e th a n as a d u lts. La rva e feed in colon ies, someti m es so populous as to co m p l etely strip forests. F e m a l es a re l a rg e r t h a n m a l es, with t h i n n e r a nte n n a e a n d sto uter bodies. O R A N G E-ST R I P E D WORM The male

OAK·

of the fem a l e are thinner a n d less speckled than those o f the female Spiny Oakworm.

S P I N Y OAKWORM is the la rgest of the species i l l u strated. The male resembles the female more closely than i n the other Oakworm species.

P I N K - ST R I P E D OAKWORM Male has na rrower, more tria n g u· lor forewings, thinner beyond the spot than other species. Fe· male lacks spotting o n

-y

ROYAL WALN UT MOTH or Reg o l Mot h , o s a l a r v a , i s ca l l ed t h e H i ckory Hor ned Dev i l f o r i t s sca ry a p pea rance a n d i ts food p l a nt­ h i c kory. l t a l so eats wa l n u t, peca n , sweet g u m , a n d s u m a c . T h e mot h , seen i n m i d s u m m e r, h a s o n l y o n e brood a yea r. The p u pa l stage of a few moths may l a s t for two w i n t e r s .

1 08

IMPERIAL M O T H is dimorph ic, the female being much larger a n d yellower t h a n the male. A t rest thei r wings a re p a rtly spread, as show n . The l a rva, usually g reen but someti mes tan o r dark brown, feeds m a i n ly o n oak, maple, p i n e, sycamore, Sweet G u m, and Sasso· fras. I t i s sing le­ brooded .

1 09

T I G E R M OT H S a re sma l l to m ed i u m i n size a n d g e n e r­ a l ly light i n color. Ma ny have conspicuous spots or stripes. O n ly a few of some

200 species n o rth of Mexico h a ve

f u n ction a l m o uth parts. Adu lts, especia l ly m a les, c o m e rea d i ly to lig hts. Most l a rvae a re covered w i t h a dense coat of h a i rs, which a re shed a n d mixed with si l k when the cocoon i s made. Most cate rpi l l a rs m ove a bo u t ra pi d l y a n d a re a ctive by d a y . They com m o n ly r o l l i nto a ba l l disturbed . G R EAT L E O P A R D M OTH is well named far its wing spots. The hairs on the cate r p i l l a r a re very stiff, a n d crimson rings be· tween seg ments show d istinctly when the la rva rolls i nto a ba l l . Feeds o n plantain. Cocoon i s s p u n i n spr i n g . La rva overwinters .

.'

ACREA M OTH larva, called the Salt Marsh Caterpillar, feeds on herbaceous pla nts. It is double-brooded. The larvae are often abundant i n fall and over­ winter as pupae in cocoons. Ad u l t w i n g s are profusely spotted. T h e f e m a l e has white h i ndwings.

ISABELLA MOTH i s not as we l l known a s its caterp i l l a r, the Banded Woo l l y Bea r. The a m o u n t of b l a c k o n each e n d of i t s b o d y d o e s not, of course, pred i ct t h e co l d n e s s of the co m i ng w i n te r. T h e re a re two broods yea r l y ; cocoo n s a re formed i n spring a nd s u m m e r.

cocoon

111

G A R D E N T I G E R M OTH is so vo rioble thot its forms look like different species. The hindwings may be yellow with d a r k spots, a n d the forewings may bear very broad white ba nds. FA L L W E BW O R M is a lso vari­ able. Some moths have heavily spotted wings. Others have anly a few black d ots. The bodies of some a re yel l ow with b lack d ots on the sides, while others a re p l a i n white. The social l a rvae ex­ tend their webs ove r the foliage of the m a n y deciduous trees on which they feed . The webs may soon cover l a rge branches. These webs a re sometimes confused with those of tent caterpil l a rs (p. 1 38). Large n u m bers of eggs a re laid i n ma sses, u s u a l l y on the undersides of leaves. P u pae overwinter i n cocoons.

... CLY M E N E is a H a plaa Tiger Moth, of which there are five species north of Mexico. In some the hindwings are white or buff. Clymene hos one brood. The moths occ u r i n m idsummer. A P A N T E S I S TIGER MOTHS i n c l u d e some 30 species, often varyi n g g reatly in color. In gen· eral their forewi n g s ore jet black with i r reg u l a r w h ite strea ks, a n d t h e i r h i n dwings a re yel l ow or red with black spots or bands. The h a i ry caterpi l l a rs l ive over the winter and feed mostly o n herba­ ceous p l a nts. Males are common­ ly captu red at lig hts. ARGE is d o u b l e·brooded, with moths occurring J u ne and Sept. VI RGO has a typical Apa ntesis color patte r n . I t is sing le­ brooded, with m oths on the wing mainly i n J u ly.

Vi rgo Tiger Moth

1 .8·3.0"

1 13

HIC KORY TU SSOCK MOTH is a forest pest of h i ckory, wa l n u t, a n d other trees. T h e m o t h i s fo u n d i n m i d s u m m e r. E g g s a r e l a i d i n m a s ses, a n d t h e l a rvae feed i n co l o n i es b u t d o not m a ke webs. They m a y be com mo n i n l a te s u m ­ mer a nd fa l l .

ca l l ed t h e B a n ded Tussock Mot h . T h e l a rva, f r o m ye l l o w i s h t o g ray, feeds on a v a r iety of trees. L i fe h i story i s l i ke t h e Spotted . It over­ w i nters in a soft, h a i r y cocoo n . A Syca more Tussock Moth is very s i m i l a r.

1 14

YELLOW WOOLLY BEAR l a rvae are seen more commonly than the a d u lts. They vary from pale yellow to reddish a n d a re confused with Acree Moth la rvae (p. 1 1 1 ), but have black heads. There a re two broods.

1 .0 - 1 .8"

RA N C H M A N ' S T I G E R M OTH � is one of the la rgest a n d m ost attractive mem bers of this g r o u p . Another com m o n f o r m of this moth has yellow hindwings a n d a yellow

D O G B A N E T I G E R M OT H � varies in the a m o u n t of yellow on the front edge of the fore· wing. I t is probably double­ brooded. The caterpil l a r, with a n u n usually l i g ht hairlike covering, feeds a l most entirely on dog­ bane. May be very common.

1 .3-1 .8"

1 15

S H OWY H O L O M E L I N A is the brightest of the eight or so holo­ melina moths of North America. Others a re mainly yellowish, g ray, or d u l l red. The l a rva, l i ke that of the Dog bane Moth, has a soft, h a i rlike covering. The co­ coon is very thin, with few hairs. MILKW E E D TU SSOCK MOTH i s bette r k n o w n b y i t s l a r v a , w h i c h i s fo u n d i n l a te s u m m e r feed i n g i n co l o n i es o n m i l kweed . W h e n d i s­ tu rbed it freq u e n t l y rol l s i n to a ba l l a n d d rops from the p l a n t . The pupa ove r w i nters i n a cocoo n w h i c h i s very h a i r y.

BELLA M OT H , o r Ra!!lebox Moth, is loca l ly common but is re­ stricted to the vici n ity of its food pla nt, Rattlebox, and othe r kinds of Crota/aria. The la rva lacks the hairs typical of tiger moths. The pupa, which is u n usually o rnate, overwinters.

1 16

CTE N U C H A M O T H S , dayti m e fl iers, look like wasps when feed i n g at fl owers. La rva e feed on ma rsh g ra sses. H a i ry cocoons and larvae rese m b l e those of so m e c losely related ti g e r moths. A m o u nts of yel low a nd black h a i rs va ry i n Virginia Cte n u c h a la rvae. S m a l ler, n a rrower­ winged Brown Cte n u ch a Moth has a more south e r n ra n g e .

FO R E S T E R MOTH S M o r e than two d o z e n American species a re known. They differ from m ost noctuid m oths (p. 1 1 8) in having the ends of the a n te n n a e thickened. The Eig ht-spotted Forester is below. Its d o u b l e - b rood ed larva feeds o n g r a pe and wood b i n e .

DIOPTID MOTHS a re represehted by o n l y o n e species in N orth Am erica n orth of Mexico, the C a l ifornia Oak­

worm Mot h . It is a pest of live oaks i n C a l ifornia, some­ times stri p p i n g these trees. The C a lifornia Oakworm, brown with

n ea r l y tra nsparent wings, is

double-brooded. It ove rwi nters as eggs o r ti n y l a rvae. The fem a l e Cali­ fornia Oa kworm Moth lacks the yel­ lowish patch n ea r t h e m id-forewi n g . C a lifornia Oakworn:t larva

NOCTUI D MOTHS (pp. 1 1 8- 1 3 1 ) n u m ber over 2,600

kinds in America n orth of Mexico. Many are serious pests of farm a n d garden c rops a n d forest a n d shade trees. Among these are the we l l- k n own a rmyworms, c utworms, and Corn Earworm . N octu ids va ry g reatly in habits, but m ost a d u l ts fl y at night and feed on the n ectar of fl owers. Most n octu ids are attracted to lig hts and to ba its contain­ i n g sugar. Some overwinter as p u pae i n the ground or i n t h i n cocoons above g r o u n d . Oth ers overwi nter a s la rvae and a few as eggs or adu lts. They are someti mes cal led owlet m oths, from the way their eyes shine i n the dark when a l i g ht strikes them. B L A C K W I T C H , o r Giant Noctu id, is the la rgest of the family within our range. I t is a tropical species, sometimes straying n orthward i nto Canada in the f a l l . Its shade af b rown varies. The wings of the fema les come to a less sharp point at the a pex. La rva feeds on acacia and similar pla nts. Conside red a pest i n Hawa i i .

3 .5-6.0"

1 18

AM E � C A N DAGG E R M OTH is the l a rgest o f the daggers. The la rva feeds on a variety of trees. Winter is passed as a p u pa, often in an old stu m p . The cocoon in­ cludes the hair of the l a rva .

DAGG E R M O T H S (so m e 70 kinds) a re so n a m ed for

the dagger-like mark n e a r the forewi n g o uter m a rg i n .

Ad u lts a re s i m i l a r but m a n y o f the l a rvae a re q uite differ­ ent. Some a re h a i ry, with cha racteristic tufts of l o n g e r h a i r ca l led pencils. Oth e r la rvae lack h a i r a n d may be spi n y . Dagger moths overw i n te r a s p u pa e .

S M E A R E D DAG G E R M OT H occurs more commonly i n wet� l a nds, where the la rva feeds o n willow, sma rtweed, a lder, Button­ bush, a n d catta i l . Overwi nterin g cocoon is thin but stro n g .

COTTO N W O O D DAGGER M OTH varies g reatly i n m a r k· i n g s. la rva has soft yellow h a i r l ike America n Dagger but has five hair pencils on its abdomen. I t feeds o n poplars a n d willows.

1 19

C U TWO R M M OT H S a re n o ctuids w h ose l a rvae, o r

c u tworms, cut o ff y o u n g p l a nts j u st a bove t h e g ro u n d . S o m e c u tworms d r a g c ut-off porti o n s of p l a n ts i nto a h o l e . S o m e a re c l i m bers, feed i n g o n fo l i a g e of b u s h e s a n d trees. A l l feed at n i g h t. C e rta i n species o c c u r o n l y i n sp ri n g , others o n l y i n fa l l ; m a n y have severa l broods e a c h yea r. S o m e f u l l - g rown la rva e re m a i n at rest with o u t feed­ ing from spri n g to late s u m m er, when t h ey p u pate.

BLACK C U TW O R M , a l so called the G reasy C utworm, oc­ c u rs throughout the U.S. and southe r n Canada. Larva is a b u r­ rower, found mostly in low spots. Overwi nters a s a p u p a .

S POTT E D C U TW O R M i s one of the most d a m a g i n g , feed ing o n a wide va riety of pla nts a n d often c l i m b i n g t h e m . It over­ wi nters a s a nearly mature l a rva. May have th ree broods yearly.

W-M A R K E D C U TWORM i s a c l i m ber, feed i n g on a wide va­ riety of trees, s h r u bs, and her­ baceous pla nts. I t overwinters a s a larva a n d , i n m ost a reas, has two breeds each year.

PALE-S I D E D C U TW O R M l ives m ostly i n a t u n n e l i nto which it d rags p ieces of cut-off pla nts for food . There may be four broods yearly. The winter i s passed in the pupal sta ge.

PALE W E ST E R N C U TWORM moths occ u r i n A u g . a n d Sept. and lay eggs o n newly c u ltivated l a n d . Overwintering may be as eggs or yo u n g l a rvae. Pla nts a re attacked below the soil s u rface.

1 .3· 1 .5"

C U T· GARDEN ST R I P E D WO R M is sing le-b rood ed. The moth occu rs throughout most of U.S. in s u m m e r . L a rvae rest ex­ posed on food p l a nts. They ma­ ture and p u pate i n f a l l .

G LASSY C U TW O R M occu rs from C a n a d a to N . J . a n d west to the Pacific. It feeds o n roots and lower ste ms of g rasses. I t is sing le-brooded a n d overwi nters os partly g rown l a rv a .

larva

larva

1 .3 - 1 .5"

S POTT E D - S I D E D C U TWO R M h a s one g e n eration. The moth occ urs from Al berta a n d Texas eastward i n the fa l l . F u l l -g rown l a rvae a p pea r o n dock and c h ick­ weed i n early s p r i n g .

121

DARK- S I D E D C U TWORM is a clim ber, sometimes very d e­ structive to orchards a n d shrubs. Eggs hatch d u ring winter and la rvae become f u l l-g rown by J u n e. There i s o n e brood.

STRI P E D CUTWORM closely resembles Dark-sided C u tworm but d iffers m uc h i n life history. Eggs hatch i n the fa ll and partly g rown larvae h ibernate in the soil, feed ing again in spring.

B R O N Z E D C U TWORM prefers g rasses and cerea ls. Moths occur i n Sept. a n d Oct. a n d eggs hatch d u ring winter. By April or May the larvae are f u ll-g rown, but they d o not p u pate until J u ly.

WHITE C U TWORM sometimes damages the buds and young l eaves of grapes a n d fruit trees. I ts life h istory i s l i ke that of the Striped Cutworm . Head and spir­ acles of la rva vary in color.

1 22

D I N G Y C U TW O R M wi nters a s immature l a rva, matu ring i n late spring. I t l ies i nactive (estivates) until A u g ust, when it p u pates, emerg i n g a s a math i n a month or so.

B R I STLY C U TW O R M often oc­ c u rs i n clover with the Dingy C ut­ worm. It is d o u b l e-brooded. La rva com pletes g rowth i n the spring like that D i n g y C ut­ worm but d oes n n1fl �>d;,,nt..

C U TWO R M , probably t h e mast d estructive cutworm, attacks m a n y d iffe rent cra ps. I t overwi nters as a p u p a a n d may h a v e four broods. Oc­ curs throughout North America .

ARMY· WO R M , also cal led Cotton C u t­ worm beca use it bores i n to cotto n bolls, is com mon in the South. Feeds on many plants. Winter is passed as a p u pa.

1 23

FALL A R M YWORM by mid­ summer spreads north from the Gulf states b u t d ies out by win­ ter. In the South there may be three broods. Prefers g ra sses a n d often attacks c o r n .

ARMYWORM has t w o or m o re broods. The spring o n e is m ost destructive, especia l ly to oats and s m a l l g ra i ns. Natural ene­ m ies red uce later broods. It over­ winters as m oth, p u pa, o r l a rva.

A R M YWO R M M OT H S a re n octuid m oths wh ose l a r­ vae tend to m i g rate i n "a rmies" to n ew feed i n g a reas after d estroy i n g vegetati o n in fields where t h e i r eggs were l a i d . Active a t n i g h t a nd h i d i n g by day, the l a rvae feed m ostly o n g ra sses a n d sma l l g ra i n s . B E ET A R M YWORM is a com­ mon pest of s u g a r beets i n the West. la rva resembles that of Fall Armyworm, but the pale cen­ tral line along the back is less d isti nct. Overwinters a s p u pa .

1 24

W H EAT H EAD A R M YWORM feeds mainly o n tim othy a n d wheat h e a d s , attacking at n ight. F u l l-g rown l a rva is about one inch l o n g with n a rrow pale stri pes. Ove rwinters a s a pupa.

occ u rs in vast n u mbers a n d trav­ e l s i n huge a rmies. Moths emerge i n late summer a n d lay eggs in the so i l . Y o u n g l a rva ove rwinters. Two a d u l t forms shown : ( 1 ) , (2) .

on a wide variety of g a rd e n a n d fi e l d cro ps. T h e r e are u s u a l l y two b roods each year, moths occu r­ ring in May a n d Aug ust. Over­ winters i n p u p a l stag e .

COTTON L E A FWORM is a slender, l o o p i n g l a rva that feeds only o n cotto n . Spines at end of the moth's t o n g u e sometimes i n ­ j u r e r i p e f r u it. T h i s tropical spe­ cies ca n n ot su rvive U .S. w i n ters.

G R E E N C L O V E RWO R M , a looping la rva, feeds on clover, a lfalfa, and other legu mes. W i n ­ ter is usually p assed a s a n a d u lt but some may w i nter as p u pa e . T h e r e are t w o to four broods.

1 25

ALFALFA LOO P E R , in spite of its n a me, feeds on a wide va· r iety of pla nts, i n c l u d i n g cereals. Winte r is passed i n pupal a n d a d u l t stages. There are two b roods, the secon d in J u ly.

CABBAGE L O O P E R , a com­ m o n species, feed s mostly o n cab­ bage and other members of the cabbage fa mily. Two b roods oc­ c u r i n the North. H ibernates as p u pa i n loosely woven cocoon.

LOO P E R S is a n a m e m ost c o m m o n l y used for l a rvae of geom eter moths ( p. 1 40), but l a rvae of some n octu id m oths are a lso ca l led loo pers beca use they h u m p their backs when craw l i n g . The noctuid l a rvae have fewer t h a n t h e n o r m a l fou r pa i rs of prolegs a n d claspers. C E L E RY LOO P E R i n the l a rva l stage c losely resem bles the Cab­ bage Looper. There a re at least two b roods. The summer form is b rown, as i l lustrated. A spring form is g ray.

1 26

B I LO B E D LOO P E R feeds o n a l ­ falfa, clover, a n d m a n y other pla nts. Larva resem b les Cabbage Leaper's but has stripes a n the sides of its head. I t hibernates as a p u pa i n a thin cocoon .

FORAG E LOO P E R is some­ times d estructive to clover. Mark­ ings of forewings a re m uc h less d istinct in females. Three broods occ u r from spring to fal l . P u p a overwinters o n l eaves.

LU NATE ZALE often has I o rg e g reen patc h e s o n t h e w i ng m a r­ g i n s . P u pa ove r w i nters in soi l . T h e l a rva v a r i e s g re a t l y i n co l o r a n d looks l i ke those of t h e u n d e rw i n g moths ( p . 1 2 8 ) .

G R E E N FRU I TW O R M eats i n ­ to y o u n g a p ples, pea rs, cherries, and other fruit i n spring. Moths emerge in the fal l and overwinte r . T h e l a rva resembles t h a t of C o p ­ p e r U n derwi ng (p. 1 30).

D R I E D L EA F M OTH , o r Litte r Moth, l a rva feeds on l ichens a n d d e a d leaves. T h e d evelopment from tiny eggs is very slow. The moths a re o n the wing i n mid­ summer a n d a re sing l e-brooded.

1 27

W I DOW U N D E RW I N G is one of some seventeen cotoca l a moths with plain dark brown under­ wings. This caterpi l l a r feed s m ostly on w a l n u t a n d h ickory.

U N D E RW I N G , OR CATOCALA, M OT H S (about 1 00 kinds i n A m e rica n o rth of Mexi co) rea d i l y c o m e to

l i g h t and bait. Oth e rwise they would rarely be see n , fo r in d a y l i g h t they rest we l l c a m o ufl a ged on tree t r u n k s with t h e i r u n de rw i n g s h i d d e n . la rvae a lso rest by day on t r u n k s o r l i m bs, o r u n d e r debris o n the g ro u n d where the th i n cocoons a re a lso fo u n d . They have one b rood a n d overwinter a s eggs o n ba rk of trees.

W H I T E U N D E RW I N G varies g reatly i n the fo rewi ng patte r n . The cate r p i l l a r closely resemb les that of the Widow U n d erwing but feeds o n willow and poplar.

1 28

A H O L I BAH U N D E RW I N G is hard to tell from several other catocala moths. Note its large size, with a wingspread occasion-

a l ly exceed i n g th ree i n ches. Lar­ va feeds o n oak. I t lacks the striped sadd l e patch of the Wi­ d ow U n derwing l a rva.

T I N Y N Y M P H U N D E RW I N G i s o n e o f several species of small catocalas with similar yellow un­ derwings. The forewi ngs vary g reatly i n patte r n . The l a rva feeds on oak.

P E N I T E N T U N D E RW I N G flies from July to October. La rva lacks the fringe of hairs a n d swol l e n sadd l e patch of the W i d o w U n ­ derwi ng cate r p i l l a r larva. Feeds o n wa l n ut and h ickory.

C O P P E R U N D E RW I N G occurs from midsummer to fall but hides i n cracks d u ring the d ay. In the spring, l a rva feeds o n many pla nts, including Wood bine. It, too, is not a catocal a u nderwi n g .

1 30

P E A R LY is o n e of th ree wood nymphs. Bea u ­ tiful Wood Nymph is l a r g e r a n d has a d a r k m a r g i n o n t h e hind­ wing. Calif. Wood Nymph has a black dot on hindwing.

White-vei ned Dagger

1 .0 - 1 .8"

W H ITE-VE I N E D DAG G E R re­ sembles the Smeared Dagger ( p . 1 1 9) i n the l a rval stag e b u t has finer h a i r. Feeds o n marsh pla nts, especially catta il. Cocoon is made in folded leaves.

STA L K B O R E R , a pest of corn, feeds i n the stal ks of many pla nts, especia lly Giant Ragweed . Eggs laid i n fall h a tc h very early i n spring. Bright b o d y stripes are lost a s the l a rva matu res i n sum­ mer. There i s only o n e genera­ tion a n n u a l ly.

C O R N EA RWO R M , the famil­ i a r worm i n e a rs of corn, is also called Tomato Fru itworm and Bollworm. la rvae are often found i n the fruit of m a n y pla nts. Win­ ter is passed as a p u pa i n the soil. There may be several broods each year.

131

T H E P RO M I N E N T S , n u m bering a bo u t 1 00 species n o rth of Mexico, rese m b l e noctuids. Rea d i ly a ttra cted to lights. Many of them ca n be told by their h a i ry legs w h e n a t rest. la rva e of m ost species l i v e o n t r e e leaves. Ma n y species l a c k a n a l p r o l e g s a n d h o l d their rea r e n d s erect. 1 .0-1 .8"

T E N T­ on poplar a n d willow. la rva resem b les that of the Poplar Te ntmaker. I t over­ winters as p u pa, often in its tent. POPLAR T E N T M A K E R is one of seven tentmakers. A l l tent­ maker l a rvae a r e g regarious. They l ive i n a s i l k-lined tent made by d rawing l eaf edges together. This d o u bl e-b rooded species feeds o n willow and poplar. T E N TAC L E D P RO M I N E N T occ urs from Q u e . a n d I l l . south to Fla. and Tex. S i m i l a r species occ u r throughout the U.S. la rva feeds on aspen a n d wil low a n d waves vivid tentacles when a l a rmed. The p u p a overwi nters

1 32

Y E LLOW- N E C K E D CATE R­ P I L L A R feeds o n m a n y kinds of trees, p refe rring apple. U n like most hand-maid moths, it has a sca l l oped outer m a r g i n on the forewi n g .

H A N D - MA I D M OT H S n u m be r 1 2 s p e c i e s that re­ se m b le one a n oth e r c losely. The la rvae feed i n colonies a n d m a y be n u merous e n o u g h to strip trees. W h e n dis­ turbed they h o l d both e n d s of their bodies erect. Most species a re s i n g le- brooded, ove rwi nteri n g as p u p a e i n the g ro u n d . The Wa l n ut Caterpi l l a r feeds o n wa l n ut a n d h i ckory. T h e S u m a c Caterpi l l a r feed s o n ly o n s u m a c . T h e outer m a r g i n s of the forewi n g s o f th ese two moths a re straig ht. T h e moth of the Wa l n ut Caterpi l l a r is d a r k .

1 33

S A D D L E D PROM I N E N T is so named for the sad d l e m a r k o n the back of the g reen, pointed­ tailed l a rva, which feeds m a i n ly on leaves of beech a n d maple. The moth resembles that of the Va riable Oak Leaf Cate r p i l l a r. V A R I A B L E O A K L EA F CAT­ E R P I LLAR, found i n late s u m ­ mer and fall, m a y lay 500 e g g s singly, on oak. La rva overwinters i n the soil and p u pates i n spri n g .

A N G U I N A M OTH is commonly recog nized by its u n usual cater­ pillar, which feeds o n va rious legumes, especi a l l y locust. The Anguina Moth is d o u b l e-brooded . E L M LEAF CATE R P I L L A R is well camouflaged on e l m foliage. Moths occu r in J u ne a n d August. P u pae spe n d winter i n cocoons o n the g ro u n d .

1 34

is d o u b l e-brooded. The moth lays eggs i n masses on the u n d e rsides of a p ple, cherry, and other leaves. The l a rvae are g re­ garious. Cocoons overwinter on the g r o u n d ; p u pate i n spring.

U N I CO R N CAT E R P I LLAR has a life h istory similar to the Red­ h u m ped Caterpilla r's, but it is not g regarious and feeds mostly o n Wild C herry and willow.

ROU G H P RO M I N E N T d o u b l e-brooded only i n northern pa rt o f its range. T h e la rva, w h i c h feed s mostly on oaks, p u pates i n the soil. R E D - H U M P E D OAKWORM is g regarious only a s young l a rva. I t feeds on varieties of oaks a n d i s d o u b l e-brooded i n t h e South. The cocoon is spun on the g r o u n d .

1 35

MOTH is E u rasia n . F o u n d i n Mass. a n d B r . Columbia i n 1 920, it has spread through N . E . a n d N.W. U.S. a n d Canada. I n J u l y eggs a re laid i n masses. La rva prefers poplar and wil low. I t hibernates when partly g rown.

, num

a bout 30 sp eci es, get

their n a m e from the brightly colored tufts of h a i r on the l a rvae. Hairs of some species are i rritati n g . Ad u lt legs a re h a i ry. Some fe ma les a re a l m ost w i n g less. T h e a n ­ te n n a e o f ma les a re feath ery. Tussock moths h a v e n o to n g u e . Severa l tusso c k m o t h s , i n c l ud i n g t h e S a t i n a n d Gypsy Moths, a re pests o f forest a n d s h a d e trees. G Y P S Y M OT H , a cc i d e n t a l l y introd uced from E u rope a bout 1 868 i n to M a ss . , now occ u r s from Co n . t o N . C . w . t o M i c h . a n d I l l . I t over­ w i n ters a s eggs. Larvae feed g re­ g a r i o u s l y o n m a n y k i n d s of trees, espec i a l l y oa k s . They becom e f u l l g rown i n J u l y. larva

1 36

WH I T E - M A R K E D T U S S O C K M OTH is a serious pest of m a n y decid uous trees. I t is d o u ble­ brooded. The w i n g l ess female l ays eggs, w h ic h overwinter, o n her cocoon. The p u pa l stage lasts about 2 weeks. W ESTERN T U S S O C K M OT H i s s i n g l e-brooded, overwinters a s eggs o n the cocoon . Lo rva feeds o n many trees and sometimes damages a pp l es. Except for black heads and crimson prolegs, it resembles l a rva of White­ m a rked Tussock Moth. RU STY TUSSOCK M OTH m a l e is r ust b rown i n color. U n ­ l ike the t w o a bove species, e g g s are not covered w i t h h a i r from the female. La rva h a s black head a n d black hair pencils on sides of abdomen. P I N E TUSSOCK MOTH is a pest of J ack, Pitch, a n d Red p i n es, spruce, and sometimes fir. I t is s i n g l e-brooded, overwinters a s h a ir-covered eggs. Male fore­ wings are relatively wel l-marked.

1 37

LAS I OCAM P I DS a re a fa m i ly of some thi rty N o rth America n m oths of m e d i u m size with sto ut h a i ry bodies. T h ey a re rea d i ly attra cted to lights. Females a re like the m a les but larger. T h e m ost fa m i liar species a re t h e tent caterp i l l a rs, pests of fo rest, shade, and orch a rd trees. EAST E R N TENT CAT E R P I L­ LAR overwinters in "va r n ish· coated" egg masses a ro u n d twigs. The la rvae h a t c h i n e a rly spring, form ing silky tents i n crotches o f limbs. T h e y f e e d out­ side their te nts, using them only for resting, u n l ike F a l l Web­ worms which feed o n the l eaves enclosed withi n their silken webs. Apple a n d cherry are the most common food pla nts.

WESTERN TENT CATERPI LLAR has a l i fe h i stor y s i m i l a r to the E a s t e r n Te n t C a t e r p i l l a r ' s , b u t u n l i ke t h a t spec i e s , i t i n c l udes oa k a mo n g i t s m a n y food p l a n t s .

1 38

LAR feeds on a va riety of de­ cid uous trees. The l a rvae d o not make tents but spin silken mats on tru nks o r limbs where they rest a n d molt. The egg masses ove rwi nter. There is one brood .

ZAN O L I D S a re c l osely related to t h e pro m i n e nts (pp.

1 32- 1 35). There a re o n ly th ree species in N o rth America, a l l occurri n g east of the Rockies. Eggs a re fl a t a n d wafer­ like. T h e densely h a i ry l a rvae feed si n g ly o n leaves of trees and bush es. They m a ke n o cocoon but pu pate in the g r o u n d and overwinter there.

man

in

some y e a rs .

The

l a rva,

w i t h d e n se, long, shaggy ca n a ry­ y e l l ow h a i r, feeds m a i n l y on W i l d C he r ry . T h e W i l d

C h e rry

Moth

h a s one b rood a n n u a l l y.

1 39

G E O M E T E R , m e a n i n g ea rth m e a s u rer, refers to t h e way the cra w l i n g l a rvae of th ese species draw the rea r of the body up to the front l e g s, form i n g a loop, and t h e n exte n d the body a g a i n . T h e cra w l i n g pattern is a ssociated with only two o r t h ree p a i rs of a b d o m i n a l l egs. Geom eters are a l so ca l l ed l o o pers, i n chworms, m e a s u r i n g worms, a n d spa nworms. Most geometer m oths h a v e t h i n b o d i e s a n d relative l y b road, de l icate w i n g s . T h e fe m a l es of some species a re w i n g l ess. More t h a n 1 ,000 species of geome­ ters l ive i n N o rth America; som e a re serious pests. fema le and eggs

FALL C A N K E RW O R M feeds o n many kinds of trees but pre· fers a p p l e and e l m . The moths emerge late i n fall when the wingless females lay eggs i n masses o n tree t r u n ks. T h e eggs hatch i n spring. SPRING C A N K E RW O R M l a rvae differ from F a l l C a n ker. worm1s i n having two rathe r than th ree abdominal p rolegs, but, l i ke them, p u p ate in the soi l . The moths occ u r mostly i n spring. B R U C E S PA N W O R M occurs from N.J. to Quebec, and west to Al berta. The moth occ u rs i n fa l l o n Sugar Maple, poplar, beech, and other trees. The fem a l e is wingless. The l a rva resembles Spring C a n kerworm's i n form but has six n a r row wh ite stripes.

0.9·1 .4"'

1 40

S P E A R- M A R K E D B L A C M OTH h a s variable amou nts of black and wh ite. I t has two b roods per year. Larvae live to· g ether i n nests of leaves, mostly b i rch and willow. Pupae over­ winte r in soi l . C H E RRY SCALLOP-SH E L L M OTH i s commonly seen i n the l a rval stag e i n n ests of wild che rry l eaves. D o u bl e-brood ed. The p u p a overwinters i n the soi l . C U RRANT S P A N WORM is a pest of c u rrant a n d g ooseberry. Eggs a re l a id i n early sum mer but d o not hatch u ntil the next spring. La rva p u pates i n the soil i n May or early J u ne.

occ u r i n early spring. The fe­ m a les are w i n g l ess. La rva feeds mainly on Live Oak but also at­ tacks Engl ish Wa l n u t a n d othe r f r u i t trees. Single-brooded.

"'