1 8 The Ottawa Naturalist. [April — May 



Scopelosoma morrisoni, Grt. The moths of this i^enus are always 

 welcome captures and are among-st those which mature in autumn, 

 hibernatir.g- in the perfect state. The genus Plusia contains some 

 very attractive insects. Eight different species were met with last 

 season, those which occurred rarely being P. balluca, Geyer ; P. 

 contexta, Grt.; and P. stnatella, Grt., all ot great beauty. The 

 moths of this genus are beautiful glossy insects, usually spotted or 

 striped on the front wings with silvery markings. 



In the Nochiidce probably the genus which attracts the most 

 general attention, especially to a beginner, is the genus Caloca/a, 

 which comprises over 80 species m North America. These moths 

 are handsome creatures and ot large size, often expanding three 

 inches, or more. The forewings are usually of a brownish or 

 greyish colour, marked with wavy or zigzag lines. The ground 

 colour of the hind wings varies with the species, but in many in- 

 stances these wings are conspicuously banded with red, yellow or 

 white ; owing to this peculiarity they are often termed Under- 

 wings. In the daytime the moths have the habit of resting on the 

 trunks of trees, but it needs experienced eyes to detect them, as 

 the colours of the forewings of these insects are usually protective. 

 During the past season very few species were observed, and, as I 

 was constantly on the look out for them during the months they 

 fly, I judge that they were scarce. On the 31st May Dr. Fletcher 

 and I found eleven full grown larvse of C. cerogama, Gn., feeding 

 on basswood, the general colour of four being greenish, while the 

 remainder were greyish. These caterpillars spun a light cocoon 

 between the leaves in about a week's time, and gave us the perfect 

 moths on the 13th July. Other CaiocalcE taken the past season 

 were C. briseis, Edw. ; C. concumbeiis. Walk.; C. relicta^ Walk.; 

 C. ultronia, Hbn., and C. grynea. Cram. 



In the early days of spring, towards the end of April and 

 beginning of May, a beautiful little moth of red and blackish 

 colour is sometimes seen flying around birch trees. This is 

 Brephos tnfans, Moeschl., a day-flyer, and being uncommon in 

 Canada is always an interesting capture. 



Some of the moths mentioned in this paper have been brought 

 to the meeting to-night and no doubt will prove of interest to those 

 who may care to look at them. 



