1907] 



The Great Leopard Moth. 



155 



Male Moth (after Riley). 



female is much the larger, measuring when the wings are expand- 

 ed about three inches from tip to tip. A specimen in the collec- 

 tion of the Geological 

 Survey Department is 

 as large as the female 

 shown here. The male 

 differs from the female 

 in being smaller and in 

 having the wings more 

 pointed. When ex- 

 panded it measures 

 about two and a quarter 

 inches across. The 



markings, too, are less distinct. 



In the Southern States this insect has sometimes been very- 

 abundant and the caterpillar has been given the name "Fever 

 Worm" by the negroes, under the absurd impression that it is 

 the cause of fever and ague. 



The larva becomes full grown in 

 autumn and curls up, passing the winter 

 under logs or any other surface shelter it 

 can find. According to Saunders and 

 Riley, it feeds for the few days in spring, 

 on grass or almost any green, low-growing 

 : plant, and then forms a loose cocoon in- 

 side of which it changes to a pupa. In 

 this state it remains for from about two 

 to three weeks. The specimen sent to 

 me by the Rev. Prof. Bethune, was found 

 in its winter quarters and had no food 

 whatever after its capture. 



On June 30th of the present year, Mr. Paul Hahn, of 

 Toronto, took a freshly emerged specimen of the male moth, at 

 Niagara Glen, Ont. 



The food plants of the larvae are Wild Sunflower {Helianthus 

 decapetalus) , Plantain, Willow, Poke-berry (Phytolacca decandra) ; 

 Wild Cherry and Persimmon (Smith and Abbott), and violet, 

 as observed by Mr. Williams. 



Larva (after RileyJ. 



