23 6 THE STUDY OF INSECTS 



The hop-vine deltoid, Hypena hiimuli. — This species is closely allied 

 to the preceding and has often been confounded with it. The larva feeds 

 on the leaves of hop, and is sometimes a serious pest. 



Thk Dark Noctuids 



There is a large group of noctuid moths many of which are decidedly 

 dark in color and of which the black witch is the most striking example. 

 The three following species are of this group. 



Fig. 412. — Erebus odora. 



The black witch, Erebus odora. — This is the most magnificent in 

 size of all of the noctuids found in this country (Fig. 412). There is 

 much variation in the depth of coloring. The individual figured is a 

 female; in the male the fore wings are more pointed at the apex and the 

 medium band is indistinct. It is a native of the West Indies; but it is 

 believed that it breeds in the extreme southern portion of the United 

 States. Isolated individuals are found in the North in late summer or 

 autumn. These arc found as far north as Canada and west to Colorado, 



and even in California. These have doul >t- 

 less flown north from their southern breed- 

 ing places, possibly from Cuba or Mexico. 

 The larva feeds on certain tropical le- 

 guminous trees. 



The scalloped owlet,Scolidpteryx libatrix. 

 — This moth is easily recognized by the 



Fig. 413. — Scohopleryx libatrix. ... i • r 



shape of its wings, the outer margins 01 

 whichare deeply cut and scalloped (Pig. 413). The color of the fore wings is 

 soft brownish-gray, slightly powdered with rust -red, and frosted with white 

 along the costa. There is an irregular patch of rust-red reaching from 

 the base to the middle of the wing, a single, while, transverse line before 

 the middle, and a double one beyond the middle. The larva feeds on wil- 

 low. This species is found in all parts of the United States and in Europe. 



