270 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



cated by the light, and with their eyes glowing like coals of bright red 

 fire. Why they are thus attracted it is difficult to say, since in the day- 

 time they keep themselves concealed in dark corners, and in every way try 

 to escape the glare of the sun. 



Entomologists are well aware of this habit of noctuids and other moths, 

 and so one of the favorite methods of catching them is to go with a lantern 



to some favorable locality, and with a net 

 catch them as they fly round the light. 

 All, however, are not attracted in this way. 

 and so other expedients are adopted. One 

 is sugaring. Just at dusk the collector 



Fig. 266.— Agrotis and Plusia, two moths; the croeS to the WOods and paints the trunks 

 latter in side view with folded wings. ° ± 



oi the trees with patches ot a mixture 

 of sugar and beer, or rum, and then awaits the advent of the moths. 

 Soon they begin to appear, and all night long they come, attracted by 

 the savory smell. All the collector has to do is to capture them as 

 they come. 



Most striking of all the noctuids are the large forms known as ' under- 

 wings,' of which we have some eighty species in the United States. Seen 



Fig. 267. — Underwing (Catocala) and larva. 



at rest with their wings closed they are of a sombre color, usually such 

 as to match the trees which they frequent ; but when their wings are 

 expanded, as in the cut, their beauty appears, their lower wings, banded 

 with red or orange and black, being visible. 



The underwings are comparatively uncommon, and he*nce do but little 

 damage. On the other hand, the army-worm is often a serious pest. " At 



