LEPIDOPTERA : NOCTUJELITJE. 405 



length, in some sheltered place, spin their cocoons. These 



are regular, oval, and loosely woven, Fig 2gg 



and the meshes are filled with a 



thin paste, which on drying becomes 



a yellow powder. After remaining 



in the chrysalis state from fourteen 



to seventeen days, they come forth Cocoon, c. Americana, Ham 



in the winged form. 



NOCTU^LIT^:, Latr., OR OWLET-MOTH FAMILY. This 

 Family comprises thick-bodied, swift-flying moths which 

 have the antennae long and tapering, rarely pectinated, 

 the thorax thick and often crested, and each of the fore 

 wings marked behind the middle of the front edge with 

 two spots, one round and small, the other larger and kid- 

 ney-shaped. They are exceedingly alike in general ap- 

 pearance, and are mostly some shade of gray or brown. 

 A few fly by day, but most of them only at night. They 

 are greatly attracted by light, and thus enter houses in 

 great numbers on summer evenings. The larvae taper 

 towards each end, and make thin, earthen cocoons. 



The Genus Leucania contains the Army-worrri Moth 

 and its allies. The species are yellowish-white, and the 

 larvae naked. 



The Genus Agrotis Dart-Moths has the antennae 

 in the males generally pectinated on the under side, wings 

 nearly horizontal when closed, and the fore legs often 

 spiny. The larvae are well known as Cut-Worms, which 

 do great damage in the fields and gardens, by cutting off 

 the leaves of plants, or by cutting down the tender plants 

 close to the ground. They are very destructive in early 

 and middle summer, after which they go into the chrysa- 

 lis state in the ground, and later come forth as moths. 



The Genus Mamestra has the wings rather broad, tho- 

 rax slightly crested, and a W- or M-shaped character near 

 the outer hind margin of the fore wings ; larvae brilliant. 



