154 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



LEPIDOPTERA (Order). 



SCALE WINGED INSECTS. 

 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. 



The members of this order are among the most familiar of all insects. 

 INIost of the adults have four well developed wings which are charac- 

 terized by being covered with scales or modified hairs, the arrangement 

 of which is responsible for the varied and beautiful color pattern in 

 so many species. The bodies are covered with tine soft hair. All 

 have complete metamorphosis — the larvae being known as cut worms, 

 army worms or caterpillars, and the pup^ as chrysalids. The mouth- 

 parts of the larvae are for biting and chewing while those of the adults 

 are abortive or for sucking. 



The larva^ of all species are very destructive to plant life and all 

 may be considered injurious with the exception of the silkworm moth, 

 which is of great commercial importance in other countries. 



SPHINGID.^ (Family). 



SPHINX OR HAWK MOTHS. 



The adult moths of this family are primarily night-flyers, though 

 occasionally one may be seen on dark days. Just before nightfall 

 numbers may also be observed as they begin their night's work. They 

 are among the largest moths, some individuals having a wing expanse 

 of from four to six inches, though the ones discussed here are medium 

 sized. 



The caterpillars are very large and robust, being beautifully marked 

 with bright colors, especially with characteristic colored spots around 

 the breathing spiracles, along the sides of the bodies. 



The chrysalids or pupa? are easily distinguished from all other 

 species by the proboscis which is curved from the head to the body 

 like a pitcher handle. 



The caterpillars of all these moths are very harmful. Their great 

 size and ravenous appetites enable them to devour great quantities of 

 vegetation. 



General Life History.— The winter is passed in the chrysalis stage 

 of the second brood. The adults emerge early in the spring and soon 

 begin egg-laying, the eggs being usually deposited directly upon the 

 leaves, singly or in small groups. These hatch in about a week— the 

 young caterpillars beginning to feed upon the tender foliage first. 

 When full-grown they descend from the plants and either pupate in 

 the earth or among leaves or refuse. There are usually two broods a 

 year— the moths of the first brood emerging about the middle of the 

 summer, while those of the second brood do not emerge until the fol- 

 lowing spring. 



