Entomological Notes. 273 



pie, cherry and plum, but when these are not convenient, they 

 thrive equally well on the bass wood, elm and some other varieties 

 of forest trees. 



As they reach maturity they wander about singly, seeking some 

 convenient shelter in which to pass the chrysalis state. This is 

 usually found under the rough bark of the trees, or in the fence 

 corners or the brush or rubbish near the ground. Some take refuge 

 in the old nests and are transformed there. Having found the de- 

 sired place, the worms spin a double cocoon, the inner one of a 

 ' close, firm texture, the outer of a loose and coarser fibre and a yellow 

 color, the space between the two being filled with a yellowish fluid, 

 which when it becomes dry resembles powdered sulphur. Here 

 they remain between two and three weeks and then emerge as a 

 moth. 



From the first to the middle of July these moths are usually seen- 

 in the greatest numbers. The moths are of a reddish-brown color,, 

 but there is often a considerable variation in shade, some being 

 much lighter than others; they are thick bodied, and when their 

 wings are spread, extend from an inch and a quarter to one inch 

 and a half. Two oblique, parallel, whitish lines extend across the 1 

 fore wings, dividing them into three nearly equal parts. There is 

 often quite a difference in the prominence of these white lines, and 

 in some individuals the portion of the fore wing between the body 

 and the first line is of a grayish color. The hind wings are uniform* 

 in color and about the same shade as the body of the fore wing.. 

 The female moths are nearly double the size of the male. These 

 moths fly only at night. In the month of July they are often heard 

 thumping against the windows in the evening, attracted by the 

 light within. Should the window or door be open, they enter in a 

 noisy, boisterous manner, flying rapidly about the light, and dash- 

 ing wildly around the room. Their life in the moth state is very 

 brief. In a few days after their first appearance they pair, and the 

 female deposits the eggs for the next season's brood of worms. 

 She usually selects for this purpose twigs of new growth of wood; 

 they are occasionally found on the old wood, but always near the 

 present season's growth. The eggs are laid in clusters of from two 

 hundred to three hundred each, in a regular continuous circle, 

 winding around the twig. The eggs are glued firmly to each other 

 and to the twig, and the whole are covered with a thick coat of 



