ORDER IV. MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. 



167 



The Woolly Bears (Arctia). 



The "NYoolly Bear is the name of the next genus to which 

 we shall call attention, and of which we shall mention a 

 few conspicuous species. A great number of caterpillars 

 which are metamorphosed into moths are thickly covered 

 with hairs, and in some fanciful respects resemble bears. 

 On this account they have been called Woolly Bears, and 

 the whole genus is named Arctia, from the Greek word 

 apKToc, which signifies a bear. Their moths, however, are 

 known by the name of Tiger Moths as well as Ermine 

 Moths. 



The Virgin Tiger Moth {Arctia lirgo), Fig. 40, is one 



Figure 40. 



The Virgin Tiger Moth. 



of the handsomest and largest of this genus, but on account 

 of its fetid odor it is very disagreeable to handle. Its fore 

 wings expand more than two inches, and are of a pale flesh- 

 red color, covered with black stripes and spots, while its 

 hind wings are vermilion red, with a row of black dots 

 around them. 



Its caterpillar is thickly covered with brown hairs, and 

 may be seen, in the months of July and August, creeping 

 upon the paths, and feeding upon all kinds of grass, until 

 it makes its hairy cocoon in the crevices of some wall or 

 fence. 



