OWLET-MOTHS. ’ 153 
ing from the second to the fifth segment. Beyond this, to 
the eleventh, each segment is ornamented with a group of 
spots, forming a dorsal band; two of these spots are orange, 
one in front and one behind, and one is of a greenish metal- 
lic hue; each group of spots is surrounded by a circular 
patch of velvety black. Two cream-colored stripes are 
found on the sides; they disappear towards each extremity. 
The body of these caterpillars is sparingly covered with 
whitish hairs, more prominent along the sides. A promin- 
ent hump on the twelfth segment and the feet are black. 
The full grown larve is about an inch anda half long. It 
spins a rather slight cocoon in some sheltered spot, in which 
it transforms to a polished, reddish-brown pupa. It seems 
as if this moth was double brooded in Minnesota. The 
moth and caterpillar are shown in Figs. 152 and 153. 
This species is not as common as some other members 
of this genus of moths, and its caterpillars can readily be 
killed by spraying with any of the arsenical poisons. 
THE MOTTLED PLUM-TREE DAGGER-MOTH. 
(Acronycta superans Guen.). 
The caterpillar of this moth feeds also on the leaves of 
the plum, but occurs also upon the apple, mountain ash and 
birch; it seems, however, as if 
the foliage of the shadberry 
was the favorite food of this 
insect, and it is not uncommon 
to see smaller plants entirely 
denuded on account of its pres- 
ence. The larve are solitary 
in habits and appear about 
the middle of June and again 
late in September. They vary 
considerably in color, but are 
Fig. 154.—Acronycta S sGu; . : 
We moth andiarva.. usually greenish, with a broad 
