420 



The Moths and Butterflies 



markings weak to wanting, the white transverse wing-band narrow and 

 with no reddish border, the discal spots also without reddish margin. 



The polyphemus-moth, Telca polyphe- 

 miis (Fig. 605), expan.se 4 to 5 inches, 

 common in the whole country, is ocherous 

 brown with a pinkish margined blackish 

 outer transverse band across each wing 

 and a discal spot on each wing with 

 unsealed clear center; this latter char- 

 acter makes the species at once unmistak- 

 able; tlic hind wing-spots are in the center 

 of a large blackish blotch with bluish 

 scales by the inner margin of the clear 

 spot. The larva (Fig. 606), which feeds 

 on various forest-, shade-, and orchard- 

 trees, reaches a length of 3 inches or 

 more, is light green with seven oblique 

 pale-yellowish lines on each side of the 

 body, and bears numerous little black 

 wart-like processes provided with small 

 stiff bristles, and each body segment has 

 a small silvery spot on the middle. The 

 dense oval, completely closed cocoon is 

 made of silk and a few leaves closely 

 wrapped and tied together. It usually 

 falls to the ground in autumn, but sometimes remains on the tree. The 

 moth secretes a fluid from its mouth which softens and partly dissolves one 

 end of the cocoon for its emergence. 



Fig. 603. — Venation of a Satumiid, 

 Bombyx mori. cj, costal vein; sc, 

 subcostal vein; r, radial vein; ni, 

 medial vein; c, cubital vein; a, 

 anal veins. (After Comstock; en- 

 larged.) 



Fig. 604. — Larva of Samia cecropia. (.\fter Dickcrson; natural size.) 



In Plate \'II, Fig. 4, is shown in color the luna moth, or ])ale empress 

 of the night, Tropaa luna (Fig. 607), a marvel of delicate green tinting 



