194 



ELEMENTARY STUDIES IN INSECT LIFE 



on the ground they impress one as extremely nervous 

 beings. The wings keep moving from vertical to hori- 

 zontal and back again. If there be a momentary rest 

 it is generally with the wings held vertically. Some- 

 times the front wings are held vertically while the 

 hind wings are resting horizontally. One unacquainted 

 with the manner of flight might suppose the insect to 



FIG. 167. Luna moth (Actias luna), showing form of moth antennae. ^ a 



be a wounded butterfly, so irregular and spasmodic is 

 their mode of action when on the wing. Their antennae 

 are also characteristic. (Fig. 169.) 



Butterflies are day-flyers, and are more slender in 

 body than either moths or skippers. The wings are 

 generally held vertically when at rest. The antenna 

 are also distinctly characteristic. (Fig. 170). The 

 life history and the habits of one of these has been 

 illustrated elsewhere. (Pages 13-23.) 



