Biography of IIemileuca Maia. 151 



proved no more acceptable ; nor were they satisfied with any of the 

 several objects or surfaces ofiered them. Their singular activity at 

 this stage suggested the suspicion that the expenditure of a liberal 

 amount of physical energy must necessarily precede their perfect 

 development. 



The same disposition was again manifested very soon after the full 

 expansion of their wings. A large proportion of the Bombycidte, and 

 all of the subfamily of Ceratocampinse with which Ifaia is grouped, 

 so far as we are acquainted with their habits, are characterized by a 

 prolonged state of inactivity, or lethargic condition, following their 

 imaginal development, from which they are not readily aroused in the 

 process of pinning, or even by two or three unsuccessful efforts prop- 

 erly to insert the pin. But so marked is the contrast presented by 

 Maia that, unless its apparition be carefully watched, and the individual 

 pinned within an hour after attaining its full development, a perfect 

 specimen can rarely be obtained. It resumes its movements over the 

 sides of the breeding cage, and the continual fluttering of its wings,, 

 although comparatively moderate, suffices very soon to divest it of 

 many of its slightly attached wing-scales ; the attempt to pin it while 

 in this excited condition is rarely accomplished wdthout seriously mar- 

 ring its beauty. 



The flight of the moth has been observed by Mr. William Calverley, 

 of Utica, N. Y. lie informs me that numbers were seen by him from 

 the IStli to the 25th of October, in oak openings, at Kankakee, Indiana, 

 where they were commonly known as the " deer moth." Their flight 

 was short, and usually terminated by their suddenly dropping in the 

 grass, where they could very seldom be found, although the spot of 

 their fall was carefully noted, and immediate search instituted. Several 

 were taken by him, by striking them down during flight with his hat. 



Geograjphical range. — Our knowledge upon this point is not very 

 full. It is known to extend from Maine through each of the sea-board 

 States to Georgia. In its M^estern distribution, we have it reported 

 from Indiana, Illinois,* Missouri f and Iowa.:{: 



Synonymy. — In the following table the principal authors only, who 

 have described or written of this species, are cited, omitting several 

 minor references occurring in our scientific j.ournals and other pub- 

 lications : 



Fhakena {Bomhyx) Maia Druiy. Illus. Nat. Hist., 1773, II, p. 42, pi. 24, f. 3, $.. 

 Bomhyx Proserpina Fabr. Syst. Ent., 1775, p. 561, n. 17. 

 Phalccna Maja Cramer. Pap. Exot., 177G, II, pi. 98, p. 3, f. A. $ . 

 Bomhyx Proserpina Gmel. Linn. Syst. Nat., 1788-93, n. 2407. 

 Bomhyx Proserjnna Fabr. Spec. Ins., 1781, II, p. 173, n. 31. 



* The American Entomologist, vol. i, p. 186. f lb. p. 246. \ lb. p. 252. 



