162 



NORTH AMERICAN INSECTS. 



a beautiful light-green color, prolonged behind in the form 

 of a tail. Thej also expand from three to five inches. 



The caterpillar of this moth, resembling almost exactly 

 that of the Polypheme in size and color, lives on walnut 

 and hickory trees, and manufactures its cocoon in the same 

 manner. At the approach of cold weather these cocoons 

 also fall to the ground with the leaves of trees, and those 

 who wish can gather them in the fall or spring. Their 

 silk, also, is of the same quality as that of the Cecropia 

 and Polypheme Moths. 



The Prometiiea Moth [Attacus Promethea), Fig. 87, the 



The Promethea Moth— :Male. 



male, and Fig. 38, the female. As is often the case with 

 beasts, birds, and other insects, the male of this moth differs 

 very much from the female in colors. The male insect is 

 of a dark brown, and the female of a light reddish-brown 

 color. Both are ornamented with a black spot, somewhat 

 like an eye in shape, upon the fore wings, and the female 



