THE BOMBYCINE MOTHS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



PART II.* 



I. COLORATION AND PROTECTIVE ATTITUDES OF THE NOTODONTID^. 



COLORATION IN THE IMAGINES. ^ 



The species of this g-roup are all more or less protectively colored. Their grayish, brownish 

 hues, with yellowish or soinetiines greenish markings, harmonize with the tints of the bark of 

 the trunk or branches of trees, whether grown over with lichens or not. In their shape and size, 

 whether at rest or fl^'ing, they closely resemble the species of Noctuidte. They differ as a rule, 

 however, in their slower flight, and in resting on the liark or among the leaves of trees, not 

 nestling in grass or low heritage. 



There are almost no observations yet made on the protective attitiides of notodontian moths, 

 and the subject needs to be cai'efuUy studied. Long and close observations in the field witli the 

 aid of the camera are needed before we shall have a satisfactory body of facts, and it is to be 

 hoped that this line of study will be taken up liy lepidopterists of future generations. Many 

 observations have doubtless been made by breeders of moths, but not published. What we have 

 to sa_v is mainly in the line of suggestion. The colors and attitudes of the more typical members 

 of the family, as the species of Notodonta, Pheosia, Lophodonta, etc., when at rest, with their 

 tufts and the consequent production of angles and points, assimilate them with the bark of trees 

 or twigs wich salient parts, buds, and other projecting points. 



Those who have seen species of geometrids, Ingura, etc., at rest, with their tails curled up and 

 their wings partly spread out, will readily understand how the species of Apatelodes, Melanopha, 

 etc., with their tufted abdominal tips, angulated wings, and bars and spots, would tend to conceal 

 them from the pi'ving eyes of birds. 



The species of Melalopha {Jf. inclusa and strigosa) sit with the wings folded sharply over 

 the back, with the fore legs held straight out in front, and the tufted tail upcurved. (Monogr. 

 Bombycine Moths, 1, p. 181.) 



The pale yellowish hues of Datana and Nadata, the latter with its high dorsal thoracic tuft, 

 assimilate them with yellow and l)rown leaves. 



Here reference might be made to Professor Poulton's statement that the shape and color of 

 Scoliopteryx lihatrix " forcibly suggest the appearance of a red leaf spotted with a few white 

 bosses of fungoid growth." (Trans. Ent. Soc. London. 1SS7, p. 308.) 



Ilyparpax aurora may be found, like BliOihijiJiorti fforida, to frequent pink and yellow 

 flowers. 



How the very unusual and conspicuous markings of Edema alhlfrona and of Nerid' hidentata 

 may mimic the dentate edges of leaves or projections of other objects will doubtless be eventually 

 cleared up. 



The ground shades and tints of the species of Schizura and Heterocampa, with their green 

 and yellowish spots and streaks would, when the moths are resting on lichen-covered bark of 

 their food trees, amply protect them from the ol)servation of birds. This has been pointed out 

 b\' Rile\' in the case of Si-luzura v.nieornis. ''The moth always rests head downward, with the 

 legs all drawn together and its wings folded round the bod}', which is stretched out at an angle 



*Part I of this monograph was published as Memoir 1, Volume VII, of tliis series of publications. 



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