Packard.] 



INSECTS OF THE FIELD. 



195 



marked wings prove their recent exclusion from the chrysa- 

 lis. The months of May and Jane are signalized by the 

 appearance in great force of the geometrid moths (Figs. 

 14^, 144*). Tiiey disappear from the fields in July, when 

 swarms of owlet moths (Fig. 145) take fheir places, and in 

 August othei's, such as the Agrotis (Fig. 146) and Plusia 

 Fig. Its. Fig. 144. 



\a^-j.^* V V..A.^^ 



^> 



Endropia. Pliasiane. 



(Fig. 147), which, as the name of the latter indicates, is rich 

 in the possession of gold and silver spots on its wings ; visit 

 in tlie bi'ight sunshine the flowers of the golden rod and the 

 aster, busily engaged in collecting pollen, and unconscious 

 agents in fertilizing the flowers of these showy plants, which 

 do little harm, but in early autumn impart a gay, rich color 



Fig. U5. 



Owlet Moth (Cucullia), after Lintncr. 



to our sombre fields ; and thus in more ways than one these 

 insects of the field cheer up the melancholy days of autumn. 

 The generation of moths is maintained late in September 

 by the delicate Chain moth (Fig. 148, Zerene catenaria and 

 larva) which flutters over the golden rods and sweet fern ; 

 •From Hayden's Report oif the Geology, etc., of the U. S. Territories. 



3 



