THE BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS 103 



them. The curious cocoons of the Promethea Moth fas- 

 tened so securely to the branches of many trees and shrubs 

 may be found throughout the winter over a large part of 

 North America, and, if brought indoors, will yield a har- 

 vest of attractive moths in early summer. 



The familiar Tent Caterpillar, the nests of which are to 

 be found in so 

 many wild cherry 

 and apple trees 

 during May and 

 June, is also a 

 smaller example 

 of one of these 

 families of silk 

 spinners. These 

 Tent Caterpillars 

 are very easily 

 reared indoors, so 

 that it is easy to 

 watch them spin 

 their cocoons, 

 change to pupae, and emerge later as rather small brown 

 moths. 



The most notorious member of the nearly related family 

 of Tussock Moths is the destructive Gypsy Moth, which 

 during the last few years has done enormous damage in 

 New England, and millions of dollars have been spent in 

 fighting it. This Gypsy Moth is a native of Europe and 

 was introduced into America about 1869. Since then 

 it has gradually spread from the Massachusetts town where 

 it first escaped, and threatens to become one of the most 

 widespread and destructive of insect pests. It is very 

 desirable that people everywhere should be on the watch 



