HOW TO KNOW THE INSECTS 



Figure 197. 



17b Front wings, at least, usually dull gray or brown. ... 18 

 18a Antennae usually thread-like, two ocelli often present; 

 front margin of wings fairly straight, (A large percentage of 

 moths flying into houses at night belong in this large family) 

 (The Owlet Moths) Fig. 197. Family 16, NOCTUIDAE 



Fig. 197. Hellothus obsoleta Fab. The 

 Corn Ear-v/orm. 



Front wings straw colored, marked 

 with brownish; hind wings creamy white 

 marked with blackish. This insect is 

 variable both as to colors and mark- 

 ings. The larvae are altogether too 

 common in the ears of sweet corn and 

 not infrequently feed on field corn 

 and tomatoes. Some years it ranks as 

 one of Iowa's most troublesome insects. 

 Expanse of wing about 35-40 mm. (From 

 U.S.D.A.) 

 The name Owlet Moths refers to the thick fluffy appearance of 

 the members of this family and to the way their eyes shine at 

 night. The family is one of the largest of the Lepidoptera, and 

 highly variable. The "Under-wings , " fairly large moths with hind 

 wings brilliantly striped with red and black or other outstanding 

 color combinations belong here. 



18b Antennae feathery, ocelli none; front margin of wings of 

 male rounded; females wingless. (The Tussock Moths.) Fig. 198, 



Family 21, LYMANTRIIDAE 



Fig. 198. Hemerocampa leuscostigma A.& S. 

 The White Marked Tussock Moth, (a, Larva; b, 

 female; c, female laying eggs on pupa 

 case; d and e, adult males; f, egg mass.) 



Female v/hite, wingless. Male ashy gray 

 with brovm markings. The larvae are beau- 

 tifully colored and marked with tufts and 

 stream.ers of long scales (i). Expanse of 

 wings about 35 ncn. (From U.S.D.A.) 



The greatly i-educed v/ings of the female 

 is characteristic of many members of this 

 family. The larvae pupate on trees and 

 buildings in late su]';Tmer. The pupa case is 

 often wrapped in a leaf. The adults 

 emerge shortly and the female usually de- 

 posits her 250 to 700 eggs on the cocoon 

 from which she emerged. The eggs are 

 covered with a white weather proofing se- 

 cretion. These egg masses may be easily 

 seen and collected during the v/lnter. The 

 young caterpillars hatch when the trees 

 begin to leaf out but will hatch somewhat 

 earlier in a v/arm room. They will feed on 

 a V7ide range of plants. It is an interest- 

 ing project to rear a brood to the adult stage. There are two 

 broods each year. 



Figure 198. 



96 



