170 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



The PlalypterycidcB have broad falcated wings, closely resembling 

 the Geometrids, and the larvae have the last pair of prop-legs united 

 and greatly prolonged. The Bomxjvidae include the Bomhyx mori 

 or the silk-worm. The Atticidae are the central group of the fam- 

 ily. The very large, eyed wings and broad doubly pectinated 

 antennae of this kingly assemblage of moths, and the large, thick, 

 fleshy larvte with angulated wings, surmounted by scattered 

 tubercles, giving rise to a few short hairs, are represented by 

 Saviia cecropia and promefhea, which have the discal spots trian- 

 gular ; Tropaea Luna is the immense, tailed, green species, while 

 Telea Polyphemus is brown and has large transparent eye-like discal 

 spots. The Ceratocampadae, include Citheronia regalis and Eacles 

 imperialis, which are of gigantic size, and the smaller Saturnia 

 Maia and HypercMria lo, which have triangular sub^alcate prima- 

 ries. The larvae are cylindrical and armed with hair bearing tuber- 

 cles ; or, as in Dryocampa, they have smooth bodies, with a pair of 

 slender horns just behind the head. 



The two species of Glisiocampa, of which Americana and its 

 larva are here figured, (13 and 14,) represent another small group. 

 The leaf caterpillars are most injurious to Fig. i3. 



orchards. The moths fly at light in July. 



The Jlepialidae have long, narrow wings, 

 with both pairs much alike. Their larvae 

 live in the roots and stems of plants. The 

 moths come to light in July and August, 

 and are rare. Xyleutes robinice is 

 stout bodied, and bores in the locust 

 tree. 



Nocluidae. (Owlet moths.) There W 

 is great uniformity in the genera of 

 this family, which are characterized by their thick bodies, stout and 

 well developed palpi, simple and sometimes slightly pectinated 

 antennae. The wings are small and narrow ; •they fly swiftly at 

 night, and are attracted by light. The primaries. have almost in- 

 variably a dot and reniform spot on the middle of the wing, and 

 they are generally dark and dull colored. The larvae taper tow- 

 ards each end, and are striped and barred in different ways. They 

 make thin, earthen cocoons. The Acronycfae are light gray spe- 

 cies, with haired larvae, and approach the Bombvces closely. The 

 Leucaniae are whitish yellow, with naked larvae, such as the Army- 



~=:::^T^^. 



Fig. 14. 



