THE LEPIDOPTERA OR BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS 25 



to the members of their own genus or family. Similar cases 

 of mimicry have been described in various other animals, 

 but nowhere are the resemblances so numerous or so strik- 

 ing as in the butterflies, especially those of South America 

 and Africa. A striking degree of protective resemblance 

 is shown by many moths which are colored so as to be 

 scarcely distinguishable when resting on the bark of trees. 





FIG. 17. Cecropia moth. (After Lutz.) 



The butterflies, on the other hand, are usually colored 

 so as to make them particularly conspicuous. 



The moths constitute a very extensive group of the most 

 varied sizes and colors. Generally the wings when at 

 rest are horizontal or held folded over the abdomen, often 

 sloping downward on either side. Usually the moths 

 fly at night or in the evening, while the butterflies are 

 lovers of the sunshine. Some of the largest and most 

 conspicuous of our species belong to the giant silk-worm 



