GHOST MOTH. 25 



yllepialus humuU), wliich is shown in Plate II. 

 fig. 3. 



The span of the wing is rather under two 

 inches and a half. The wings of the male are 

 snowy white above, presenting an almost glazed 

 appearance, and fringed with yellow, under-side 

 a yellowish brown. The thorax and abdomen 

 are yellow shaded with orange. The wings of 

 the female have none of the sheeny gloss which 

 distinguishes those of the male, but are dull 

 yeUow, shaded with orange, with several irre- 

 gular annular markings. 



The rather ominous name of Ghost Moth is 

 given to the insect in consequence of the habits 

 of the male. 



It is given to fluttering over the herbage at 

 eighteen inches or two feet from the ground, and 

 occasionally settling on a stalk of grass, or simi- 

 lar object. As it is flying about in the dark, the 

 white shining upper surfaces of the wings ghtter 

 in a most curious manner, almost appearing as 

 if giving out their own light. But as soon as the 

 insect settles on a stalk of grass or other herb, 

 the dark under-surface is turned upwards, and 

 the insect disappears as if by magic. 



The eggs of this moth are small, black, and 

 not unlike gunpowder, and the larva feeds mostly 



