224 Journal New York Entomological Society. [Voi. xi. 



ments, including supply, scarcity and variety of plant food, tempera- 

 ture, interbreeding, etc. 



The above conclusion that the conspicuous colors of the second- 

 aries are useful in diverting attention from the more vital parts seems 

 to be confirmed by the habits and incidents in the life history of the 

 Catocala. During the day these moths securely screen themselves 

 from observation by selecting resting places more or less hidden on 

 the bark of trees or other objects, the color of which is best adapted 

 to harmonize and blend with the twilight shades of the upper wings, 

 and with which they cover and conceal their prominently marked 

 lower ones. At night, however, unless resting or sated with juices, 

 this practice is almost always reversed, and the brilliantly hued lower 

 wings are displayed to their utmost extent, rendering them in con- 

 trast with their surroundings visions of surpassing and impressive 

 'beauty. These colors could not have been developed in vain, and 

 although except by artificial means we are denied the pleasure of be- 

 holding them, we must remember that in the lower world there are 

 myriads of eyes whose powers are far superior to our own and it is not 

 credible that the joyous colors of the day are forbidden them when 

 the sunlight has vanished. A further confirmation of the theory is 

 furnished by the fact that one of the most discouraging features in 

 collecting these moths is the difficulty of obtaining specimens the 

 secondaries of which are perfect. It is a common experience to find 

 either one or both of these wings badly marred, mutilated, or partly 

 missing, while the primaries are almost invariably intact. The freshest 

 as well as the eldest specimens are equally thus injured, which cer- 

 tainly affords strong evidence that the secondaries are chiefly the ob- 

 jects of attack. 



An exception to the concealment of the secondaries may be noted 

 which still further confirms the above theory as to their origin and 

 development. Should the insect be compelled, by reason of lack of 

 suitable ground, trees, rocks or other similar objects whereon to rest 

 and match the sober markings of the fore wings, to light among the 

 grass, weeds and leaves where there are myriad streaks or bands of 

 light and shade it will often, especially of the yellow-banded species, 

 drop down with the wings partially opened as if by the exhibition of 

 its own stripings to match its surroundings. Within a short time, 

 however, it will crawl closer to the ground beneath the sheltering 

 grass and other herbage and there fold its wings. A genus of small 



