166 



BRANCH ARTHROPODA 



The owlet moths (Noctu'ida;), of which there are more than twenty-five 

 hundred species in America, fly at night and are familiar visitors around our 



Fig. 135. — The spring canker-worm: a, Egg mass, natural size; b, egg, mag- 

 nified; c, larva; d, female moth; e, male moth. (Riley.) 



evening lights. To these belong the numerous cut-worm moths and 'army 

 moths. Most of this large family are inconscipuous and dull colored, but 



Fig. 136. — The boll-worm or corn-ear-worm. (Riley.) 



the group of " underwings," or Catoc'alas, are exceptions to this rule. 

 Strangely enough it is their posterior or under wings which are conspicu- 



