Saturniidae 



SUBFAMILY ATTACIN/E 

 Genus PHILOSAMIA Grote 



This genus, which may be distinguished from all others in our 

 fauna by the tufted abdomen of the perfect insect, is represented 

 by a single species, which, originally imported from the eastern 

 parts of Asia, has become thoroughly acclimatized on the Atlantic 

 seaboard in the vicinity of the larger cities, from which, as 

 centres, it has spread to some extent to the surrounding country. 



(i) Philosamia cynthia Drury, Plate IX, Fig. 2, $ . (The 

 Ailanthus Silk-moth.) 



Syn. aurotus Fabricius; insularis Vollenhoven; vesta Walker; canningi 

 Walker; walkeri Pelder; pryeri Butler. 



The cut (Fig. 36) and the representation on our plate obviate 

 all necessity for mere verbal description of the species. The in- 

 sect which was originally introduced into Europe about the 

 middle of the last century was first introduced into America in 

 the year 1861. It was hoped that it would prove a valuable silk- 

 bearing species, but although a good grade of coarse silk may be 

 made from it by the process of carding, and strong and service- 

 able fabrics are manufactured from it in China, no method of 

 successfully and economically reeling the cocoons has yet been 

 invented. The caterpillar feeds upon the ailanthus, and these 

 shade trees in some places have been known to be completely 

 defoliated by the worms. 



Genus ROTHSCHILDIA Grote 



This characteristically neotropical genus may always be rec- 

 ognized by the large more or less triangular translucent spots of 

 the wings, and the general likeness to the species we figure 

 upon our plate. The abdomen is without tufts. The antennae 

 of both sexes are doubly bipectinated. The fore wings are 

 generally considerably produced at the apex. Two species 

 occur within our faunal limits. 



(i) Rothschildia orizaba Westwood, Plate X, Fig I, $. 

 (The Orizaba Silk-moth.) 



From Rothschildia jorulla Westwood, the other species 

 found in our territory, this is easily separated by its generally 

 lighter color and the much larger size of the translucent spots 



82 



