70 FIRST ANNUAL KEPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



the Noduidce are drawn to their bait of molasses and beer, spread 

 upon tree-trunks to allure them for capture. 



It is to the existence of these organs that some of the families of 

 the Lepidoptera, especially among the moths, owe the continuance of 

 the species. They operate in the association of the sexes, with such 

 an irresistible and far-reaching force as to exceed our conception and 

 to be marvelous to our eyes. The following are a few examples illus- 

 trating the exercise of this sense : — 



A female moth just emerged from its pupa, within a closed room, 

 has disclosed its presence to its mate and drawn its visit through the 

 only means of entrance — a chimney opening into the apartment. An 

 instance is recorded in which a moth forced its way into a collector's 

 pocket, where, through this same sense, the information had been 

 communicated to it of the presence of a mate, although hidden within 

 a collecting box. 



An interesting account has recently been given by Mr. W. H, Ed- 

 wards of the attraction of Heliconia Charitonia (Linn.)* — a butterfly 

 common in Southern Florida, Mexico and Central America — to the 

 female chrysalides of the same species. Two or three days before the 

 inclosed insect bursts her shell and appears in her winged form, the 

 males are attracted to the chrysalis hanging from the passion-vine. 

 Sometimes as many as six males may be seen clinging to a single 

 chrysalis, entirely concealing it from sight. They remain upon it day 

 and night, or if leaving it at all, it is only to feed for a brief interval 

 and return. Lighted matches held under them will not drive them 

 away, nor even shaking the twig. If pulled off by force, after a few 

 circuits in the air, they resume their position. The explanation of 

 this powerful attraction and persistent waiting and watching, admits 

 of no doubt. A chrysalis which had turned almost black, and was 

 momentarily expected to disclose its imago, was seen by the observer 

 to burst at the abdominal end, when, " instantly one of the males 

 made connection witli che female imago while the head and thorax of 

 the latter were still enclosed in the shell." 



Not long ago, two female Promethea moths — the species whose 

 cocoons are often to be found suspended to lilac bushes during the 

 winter months — had emerged from cocoons in my office and were 

 within a box near an open window. A visitor of the same species soon 

 entered the room through the window, followed by a second, a third, 

 a fourth, while others fluttered against the upper sash endeavoring to 

 effect an entrance. Looking outside, I saw numbers of the males, 

 readily recognized by their dark color and vigorous flight, circling 



*Papilio, i, 1881, pp. 209-215. 



