MOTHS OF THE LIMBERLOST 



back wings show as they are hfted to balance the moths 

 when walking over vines and uncertain footing. They 

 are quite conspicuous on our Cabin, because it is built of 

 the red cedar of Wisconsin; were it of the timber used by 

 our grandfathers, these moths with folded wings would 

 be almost indistinguishable from their surroundings. 



Few moths can boast greater beauty. The largest 

 specimen of the "Sweetheart" that homes with us would 

 measure three and one half inches if it would spread its 

 wings full width as do the moths of other species. No 

 moth is more difficult to describe, because of the delicate 

 blending of so many intangible shades. The front wings 

 are a pale, brownish gray, with irregular markings of tan, 

 and dark splotches outlined with fine deep brown lines. 

 The edges are fluted and escalloped, each raised place 

 being touched with a small spot of tan, and above it a 

 narrow escalloped line of brown. The back wings are 

 bright red, crossed by a circular band of brownish black, 

 three fourths of an inch from the base, a secondary wider 

 band of the same, and edged with pale yellow. 



There is no greater surprise in store for a student of 

 moths than to locate a first Catocala Amatrix, and see 

 the softly blended gray front wings suddenly lift, and the 

 vivid red of the back ones flash out. The under sides of 

 the front wings are a warm creamy tan, crossed by wide 

 bands of dark brown and gray-brown, ending in a deli- 

 cate gray mist at the edges. The back wings are the 



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