HEMILEUCA. 1 1 1 



Bo7nhyx proserpina^ Fabiicius, Syst. Ent , p. 561 (1775). 

 Attacus pivsapina^ Abbot & Smithy Lepid. Georg., ii., pi. 50 



(1797)- 

 Satur?na viaia, Duncan in Jaidine's Nat. Libr., Exot. Moths, 

 p. 154, pi. 16, fig. I (1841). 



This species is the most widely distributed of the genus in 

 North America. It expands about two inches and a half. The 

 head and antennae are black, the latter strongly pectinated. 

 The wings are black, rather delicate in texture, and translucent, 

 with a broad whitish band, which is broadest on the hind- 

 wings. On each of the wnngs is a black spot on the white 

 band containing a whitish streak. That of the fore- 



wmo;s 



is situated on the inner side of the band, whilst that on the 

 hind-wings is placed in the centre of the band. The thorax 

 is black, whitish in front, and the abdomen is black, terminated 

 by an orange tuft in the male ; and with white spots on the 

 sides beneath. The under side of the wings is similar to the 

 upper, and the abdomen is grey beneath. The legs are black, 

 with orange-coloured femora. 



The larva feeds on various species of oak, especially the red 

 oak {^Qiiercus rubra). It varies considerably in colour, accord- 

 ing to its age. When full-grown it is yellow, with a broad, dark 

 stripe on each side, and two reddish tubercles on the back of 

 each segment. The head, last segment, and legs are purplish- 

 red. Each segment has several hairy spines. 



Abbot says that this moth is called in America the Buck-fly, 

 from an erroneous popular idea that bucks breed its larvc^ in 

 their heads and blow them out of their nostrils. No doubt 

 this notion has arisen by the larvae being confounded with 

 Dipterous parasites. It happens that the moth comes out in 

 the rutting season whilst the bucks are pursuing the does. 

 The lumters, therefore, take notice of the insect so as to know 



