158 



MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. 



edges, and the moths are sluggish in their habits, flying onl}^ b}^ night, 

 and then in a vague and uncertain manner, contrasting greatly in this 

 respect with tlie strong, direct flight of most of the species of the 



Larva of Siueiiuthus. 



famiW. Tlie larvai are usually green in color, and tlieii' shin isrougli 

 and granular, giving it a liard sandpaper-like feeling. 'J'lie trans- 

 formations are passed in the ground. 



Smeriiithus gemiiiatus. 



Our beautiful little Smerintlnis (/eminatus is not a rare insect, and 

 may often l)e taken with the collector's lamp in July. The upper 

 wings are gray with a faint rosy cast, and are crossed by lines and 

 bands of olive and rich velvety brown. The thorax is also gray, with 

 a large triangular patch of dark brown occupying the middle. The 

 lower wings are rich carmine margined with gray, with a lai-ge black 

 spot located near the inner angle of tlie wing, in Avhicli are two bluish- 

 purple spots. The larva of this insect lives on the leaves of the apple, 

 plum, willow and ash, and is green in color with yellow stripes on 

 the sides. Its skin is covered with fine white granules, and it has a 

 triangular head. The pupte of this species may often be found in 

 connection with that of the following, in the soil at the roots of ash 

 and willow trees. 



