Saturniidae 
SUBFAMILY ATTACIN/E 
Genus PHILOSAMIA Grote 
This genus, which may be distinguished from all others in our 
fauna by the tufted abdomen of the perfect insect, is represented 
by a single species, which, originally imported from the eastern 
parts of Asia, has become thoroughly acclimatized on the Atlantic 
seaboard in the vicinity of the larger cities, from which, as 
centres, it has spread to some extent to the surrounding country. 
(i) Philosamia cynthia Drury, Plate IX, Fig. 2, $ . (The 
Ailanthus Silk-moth.) 
Syn. aurotus Fabricius; insularts Vollenhoven; vesta Walker; canmngi 
Walker; walkeri Felder; pryeri Butler. 
The cut (Fig. 36) and the representation on our plate obviate 
all necessity for mere verbal description of the species. The in¬ 
sect which was originally introduced into Europe about the 
middle of the last century was first introduced into America in 
the year 1861. It was hoped that it would prove a valuable silk¬ 
bearing species, but although a good grade of coarse silk may be 
made from it by the process of carding, and strong and service¬ 
able fabrics are manufactured from it in China, no method of 
successfully and economically reeling the cocoons has yet been 
invented. The caterpillar feeds upon the ailanthus, and these 
shade trees in some places have been known to be completely 
defoliated by the worms. 
Genus ROTHSCHILDIA Grote 
This characteristically neotropical genus may always be rec¬ 
ognized by the large more or less triangular translucent spots of 
the wings, and the general likeness to the -species we figure 
upon our plate. The abdomen is without tufts. The antennae 
of both sexes are doubly bipectinated. The fore wings are 
generally considerably produced at the apex. Two species 
occur within our faunal limits. 
(1) Rothschildia orizaba Westwood, Plate X, Fig 1, ?. 
(The Orizaba Silk-moth.) 
From Rothschildia jorulla Westwood, the other species 
found in our territory, this is easily separated by its generally 
lighter color and the much larger size of the translucent spots 
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