160 



MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. 



wild cherry, elm, asli, etc., and may be found near the tips of the 

 branches devouring the 3'oiing and tender foliage. Young trees and 

 ])ushes seem to be more subject to the attacks of the larvre of these 

 moths than older and larger trees. This insect is found from Canada 

 to Virginia throngliout the Atlantic States. 



A dark l)ro\vn insect somewhat resembling the foregoing is Smer- 

 intlms myoi)S. The fore wings and body are dark purplish-lirown with 

 light purple lines and markings, and the lower wings have the eye-like 

 spot of the preceding species, but are mncli darker generally. In 



'^(jjjg??'^ 



Triptogou moilesta. 



habits the two species closely resemble each other. While at rest 

 hanging from the stem of a plant, the scalloped outline of the wings of 

 these insects, together with their brown or tan colors and the peculiar 

 bent attitude in which the body is held, give them a resemblance to 

 brown and withered leaves. So complete is tlieir mimicry that one 

 may be obliged to touch tlie insect before being sure of its identity. 



A fine large, but rather rare, insect having a wide range over the 

 northern half of the country is Smerintluis or Triptoyon modesfa. 

 This moth expands, in a fine specimen, from hve and a half to six 

 inclies, and its colors are soft and pleasing. The outer two-thirds of 



