100 PROTECTION OF PLANTS — 1923-24 



supports a pair of delicate antennae, comb-shaped to the tips. Unlike many 

 of the larger moths, such as the sphinxes that are pro voided with long tongues 

 and complicated sucking tubes for obtaining their liquid food, the carpenter 

 moths are without mouth parts, or these organs are so atrophied as to be of no 

 use, and food is therefore unnecessary. 



The 7nale moth is very small being 16mm. long; 6mm. wide and 35 mm. 

 across the wings. It bears little resemblance to its betivy-bodied, lethargic, 

 grey-winged mate, and at first sight may readily be mistaken for some other 

 specie.s. A closer inspection, however, shows it to possess certain characters in 

 common with the female. The head is without mouth parts, the antennae are 

 comb-shaped and small spur-like projections appear on the hind legs. The 

 front wings are clear and shining with only traces of the transverse markings 

 which are so noticeable in the female; while the under pair, for the most part 

 are clear and have the extreme outer margins dark-banded, with a small 

 shaded area on the inner sides nearest the body. Viewed in certain lights a 

 decided sheen can be readily detected on the surfaces. 



TECHNICAL 



Female. Body length 30 to 32 mm., breadth 8 to 10 mm. 



Colour, dull cinereous; head prominent; antennae bipectinate; mouth 

 parts obsolete; thorax well rounded dorsally; vestiture rather sparse, scaly, 

 showing body beneath to be piceous, glaberous and shining; abdomen large, 

 cylindrical and rather thinly covered with grey scales; hind tibial spur reduc- 

 ed; wings translucent, reticulated, primaries crossed transversely by a number 

 of black lines and have their outer margins opaque; frenulum rudimentary; 

 alar expanse 60 mm. 



Male. Body length 16 mm., breadth 6 mm.; colour, darker shade than 

 female; slimmer in body proportionately, and shining when scales are removed. 

 Vestiture very sparse; primaries thin, hyaline, with traces of transverse line's; 

 secondaries immaculate, except when viewed from the side, a faint orange- 

 yellow tint is then detected; inner margins dark, outer edges black; alar expanse 

 30 to 35 mm. 



COPULATION 



There were several occasions on which mating was observed. On June 14th, 

 1919 — about 9.45 a. m. a large female that had just emerged was noticed at 

 rest about five feet up on the trunk of a red oak. The moth was exposed to 

 the full sunlight and its cream-white two-jointed ovipositor considerably 

 extented. Presently a male appeared quite suddenly. He flew in towards the 

 tree wh-ere the female was resting, with a sharp vibrating hum. As he rapidly 

 circled the oak his presence was evidently recognized because the female at 

 once became active and thrusting out her ovipositor further, immediately 

 rejected a quantity of thin, white fluid. The male promptly landed near by 

 upon the bark and with much fluttering of wings rapidly approached and 

 backing formed a union. The female shortly afterwards began to crawl up the 

 bark, dragging the male after her. Unfortunately, the pair came in contact 

 with one of the tin traps used on the trees, and trying to cross the smooth surface 

 lost their foothold and fell to the ground, separating so quickly that it was im- 

 possible to secure the male before he got away. The female was placed back 



