102 



FARM FRIENDS AND FARM FOES 



SILK-SPINNING MOTHS 



One of the most important groups of the Lepidoptera 

 is that of the silk-spinning moths (Bombycinae), of which 

 the most famous is the silkworm of commerce. As a rule, 

 the bodies of the Bombycine Moths are large and thick, 

 and the mouth parts are generally inconspicuous or absent 

 altogether. In the latter case the adult moth is unable to 

 take any food, consequently these moths are seldom to be 

 seen visiting flowers, as do the Hawk Moths and the Owlet 

 Moths. The caterpillars are frequently thickly clothed 

 with hairs, and they nearly always change to pupae within 



the protection of 

 silken cocoons. 

 The families of 

 this group in- 

 clude some of the 

 insects most de- 

 structive to vege- 

 tation. 



The most beau- 

 tiful American 

 insects are the 

 larger forms of 

 the Bombycine 

 Moths. The 

 wonderful trans- 

 lucent beauty of 

 the Luna Moth, 

 the handsome col- 



LUNA MOTH : Reduced 



oring of the Ce- 



cropia Moth, and the glorious browns of the Polyphemus 

 Moth deservedly attract the attention of every one that sees 



