75 



spiracle on this segment. The terminal segment is flattened and has a number of small 

 pale reddish and blackish tubercles scattered over its surface. Along the sides of the 

 body close to the under surface there is a thick fringe of short fleshy -lookino' hairs of a 

 delicate pink colour. 



The under surface is also of a delicate pink, of a deeper shade along the middle be- 

 coming bluish towards the margins with a central row of nearly roixnd black spots which 

 are largest from the seventh to the eleventh segments inclusive. The anterior se"-ments 

 are greenish-white tinted with rosy pink along the middle, with a dull reddish spot at 

 the base behind each pair of feet. 



When about to change to a chrysalis the larva makes a rough enclosure by drawing 

 together fragments of leaves and fastening them with silken threads, within which it 

 undergoes its transformation and appears as a moth in about three weeks afterwards. 



The moth is on the wing during the greater part of July and August, is attracted by 

 light and comes freely to sugar. All the insects of this family are night-flyers and expose 

 their brilliant hind wings only in flight. When at rest the grey or dull brown upper 

 wings overlap and cover up the gaily-tinted under wing.s like a very flat roof. 



The Io Moth. — (Saturnia io.) 



The caterpillar of this moth is very pretty and is well represented in Fig. 46. It is of a 



very delicate pea-green colour, with a broad white 

 stripe on each side, bordered with lilac below. The 

 body is covered with spreading clusters of green 

 bristles tipped with black, and when the larva is 

 handled these bristles stins; like nettles. Judsfinsr 

 from the number of communications we have had 

 concerning this insect during the past year it must 

 have been very common in many quarters. 



While quite young these caterpillars feed in flocks, 

 and have then the curious habit when moving from 

 place to place of marching in regular procession like 

 flies of soldiers ; when full grown, they lose this 

 habit and feed singly. They are very general 

 feeders and will eat corn, willow, hazel, sassafras, 

 wild cherry, elm, and a number of other trees and 

 plants. When full grown the lax'va crawls to the 

 ground, where, among loose leaves and rubbish, it 

 forms a rough outer covering, and within this a 

 slight cocoon of tough brown silk. 



Fig. 46. 

 The moths are very handsome, an 1 are remarkable for the difierence between the sexes 



both in size and colour. The male (Fig. 

 47) is the smallest, and of a deep yellow 

 colour, with darker reddish lines and 

 spots. The hind wings are broadly 

 shaded with pui'ple next to the body; near 

 the hinder margin is a curved purplish 

 band, and within this again is a smaller 

 one of a dark purple or violet colour. In 

 the centre of this last band, and in the 

 middle of the wing is a large round blue 

 spot with a whitish centre and a broad, 

 border almost black. The body is a 

 deep yellow, a little darker on the 

 thorax ; the antennae are broadly toothed. 



Fig. 47. 



