LEPIDOPTEKA. 297 



variety which has been named cdusa, and which does not 

 show well the lunate mark on the hind wings that probably 

 suggested the name of the species. The larva feeds on the 

 leaves of rose, willow, maple, plum, and other plants. 



The Black Witch, Erebus odor a (Er'e-bus o-do'ra). The 

 most magnificent in size of our Noctuids is this species (Fig. 

 354). There is much variation in the depth of coloring. 

 The specimen figured is a female ; in the male the fore 

 wings are more pointed at the apex and the median band is 



FIG. 354. Erebus odor a. 



indistinct. It is a native of the West Indies, and is not 

 known to breed in the United States. But specimens are 

 found as far north as Canada and west to Colorado, and 

 even in California. It is believed that these specimens have 

 flown north from Cuba or from Mexico. Recently some 

 observations have been made which seem to indicate that 

 the moth does breed within our territory ; but the question 

 is not yet settled. Only isolated specimens are found in 

 the North, and these in late summer or autumn. 



