110 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. 
The large and fine moth, Telea polyphemus, is a native of the 
eastern half of the United States, and is a familiar object to every 
one who has made a collection of native lepidoptera. The eggs of 
the moth, two or three hundred in number, are usually laid singly 
on the leaves of a variety of trees, oak being its favorite food plant, 
while maple, elm, birch, cherry, Hnden and other trees frequently 
furnish its fleshy light green larva with sustenance. The larva may 
easily be distinguished from the larva of Actias luna, which it closely 
resembles, by the seven oblique yellow lines on each side of its ab- 
dominal segments, while the larva of A. fama has a lateral yellow 
stripe. It is a large and handsome caterpillar, when fully grown 
Larva of Telea polyphemus. 
measuring three or four inches in length and thicker than one’s 
thumb, while each of the segments is adorned with pearl-colored 
tubercles from which spring silvery hairs. The caterpillar spins its 
whitish oval cocoon in September, and passes the winter in the pupa 
Cocoon of Telea polyphemus. 
state. The cocoon is usually spun among the leaves still on the 
tree, and generally falls to the ground with the leaves. he silk is 
strong, nearly white and of a silvery lustre, and as it is spun in a 
continuous thread, it may with care be unwound after soaking in 
warm water in which has been dissolved a little baking soda. This 
