3'0 NEW YORK STATE MISEUM 



Karner. The writer met with this insect in considerable numbers at 

 Manor, Lontj Island, in 1900, but aside from that has not seen it in any 

 other place than the above mentioned locality. 



Bibliography 



US59 Fitch, Asa. Ins. N. V. 5th Rt-p't 1X58, p. 43-44 

 1S72 Lintner, J. A. Ent. Contrih. 2: 155-56 



18S9 Ins. .\. V. 5tli Rf|>'t, J). 192-200 



1890 Packard, A. S. L'. S. Ent. Com. 5th Rep't, p. 124-25 

 1903 Felt, E. P. For. I'ish & Game Com. 7th Re|)'t,p. 524-25 



Buck or Maia moth 



I/niiihitca maia l)rur\ 



Small black spiny caterpillars occur in early summer feeding in company on the 

 leaves of various oaks, particularly in swampy places. 



This interesting species is one of the rarer forms inet with in New 

 York State. It was observed by l)r Lintner in early May iS6q, at Karner, 

 where he found a belt of eggs encircling a small twig of the bear or black 

 scrub oak, and a colony of the in.sects were discovered by the writer in the 

 same locality in 1902. The habit the larvae possess of feeding in com- 

 pany for a time and their large size as they approach inaturity, makes the 

 species a conspicuous one. The handsome moths are counted desirable 

 atlditions to a collection. 



Early history. This species was noticed in the early half of the last 

 century by I)r Harris, who records it as a very rare moth in Massachusetts. 

 It is stated to be more abundant in Illinois and Missouri, where it is called 

 the buck or deer moth because of its flying late in autumn when deer 

 run. The range of this species is given by Dr Packard as from Maine to 

 Georgia, and westward to Kansas. It has also been rarely found west of 

 the Rocky mountains at Dayton Nev., flying about willows in August. Dr 

 Packard states that it occurs in California. Specimens from this latter 

 place apparently agree, as stated by Dr Ril(\\ with those reared by Dr 

 Lintner in Xew ^'()rk. 



Life history. The life history of the insect may be summarized as 



