176 NATURE STUDY. 



for results. Two should go together when convenient, 

 one carrying a light and the other the insect net. Many 

 species that would otherwise rarely be found may be se- 

 cured in this way, and the garden and roadside are not 

 altogether unpromising, if it is out of the question to go 

 to the woods. 



The most beautiful of the moths that are commonly tak- 

 en by means of sugaring are the Catocalas, or Underwings, 

 which belong to the great family of the Noctuidse, or Owl- 

 et moths. There are many interesting moths among the 

 Noctuids, but no others that equal the Underwings in the 

 tastefulness of their dress and the daintiness of their man- 

 ners. 



The Catocalas are moths of large size, often expanding 

 three inches from tip to tip of wing. The fore wings are 

 usually brown or gray, and are marked with wavy or zig- 

 zag lines. These large soft-gray wings of course cover the 

 hind wings when at rest, and afford the Catocalas very ef- 

 fective protection from their enemies, as they rest upon the 

 dull-colored bark of the oak and other forest trees upon 

 which its larvae feed. Very sharp eyes will often over- 

 look them when at rest. It is only when they rise and fl}' 

 that the beautiful hind or under-wings are seen. The 

 ground color of these wings is black, but they are crossed 

 with broad bands of red, yellow, or white, according to 

 the species. These bands are in reality recognition marks, 

 like the uniforms and insignia of soldiers, by which they 

 may distinguish the individuals of their own kind from 

 those of other species, and they are often very beautiful as 

 one catches a glimpse of them by aid of the light of lantern 

 or lamp as they rise to fly away. 



These handsome moths, which the English people named 

 " Underwings " ever so long ago, and which have similar 

 names in many other languages, are as dainty in their feed- 

 ing as they are tasteful in their dress. Many other moths 



