THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



1L3 



indeed, that at least three species might easily be fabricated by any 

 species-grinder who happened to capture at 

 large the three most distinct varieties, without 

 knowing anything of their transformations. 

 I have bred 31 specimens, all from larvae found 

 on corn, and have others which were captured 

 at large, and though half a dozen sufficiently 

 distinct varieties might easily be picked out 

 from among them, and though scarcely any 

 two are precisely alike, yet they may all be 

 divided into three distinct sets or varieties. 

 The first of these, which is the more common, 

 is represented at Figure 46, a, the second at h, 

 and the third at c. For those who are more curious in such matters 

 I append, at the end of this article, a more elaborate description of 

 this new moth. Not only do I find this great variation in this particu- 

 lar species, but all- the species of the genus to which it belongs are 

 variable; and Guenee has truly remarked that they resemble each 

 other so closely, and their modifications are so complicated, that it is 

 next to impossible to properly separate them. By comparing the 

 annexed Figures 46 a, 1> and c, with that of the true Army- worm moth 

 (Fig. 47) the two insects will be found to differ widely. 



We have in this country a very common moth (Prodenia comme- 

 incBj Abb.) which may be popularly called the Spiderwort Owlet 

 moth, some of the varieties of which ap- 

 proach so nearly to some of the more 

 strongly marked varieties of our Fall Ar- 

 my-worm moth that it is necessary to 

 show the very great difference which 

 really exists between them, in order that 

 the cultivator may not be unnecessarily 

 alarmed when he observes the former, 

 by confounding it with the latter, and erroneously inferring that he 

 will be overrun with Fall Army-worms when there is no real danger. 

 The Spiderwort Owlet moth, (Fig. 48, b and 

 c) is a handsomer and more distinctly 

 marked species, the front wings inclining 

 more to vinous-gray, or purplish-gray, and 

 the ordinary lines being more clearly de- 

 fined by very deep brown, than in the Fall 

 Army-worm moth. But, however much 

 these characters may vary — and they are 

 quite variable — there are yet two others 

 which will be readily noticed upon com- 

 paring the figures of the two species, and 

 by which the Spiderwort moth may always 



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