SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT OF STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 109 



GLOVER'S SILK MOTH 



Samia nlovcri Strecker. 



^i" 



This is one of the most attractive and wonderful insects in 

 Montana. Nothing- can be more beautiful than the newly emerged 

 moth which, with one exception, is the largest in the state; the 

 larva is likewise a most striking object and always attracts atten- 

 tion when found. It is not surprising then that specimens are fre- 

 quently sent to the Experiment Station by persons who have be^n 

 surprised and delighted to learn that such "rare" specimens exist. 



So often has this insect been sent in, either in the larval cr 

 adult stage, that it seems desirable at this time to publish the fol- 

 lowing brief account. 



I take pleasure in calling attention to the excellent photo- 

 graphs of the full-grown larva, the cocoon, and the adult male moth, 

 accompanying. They were taken by Messrs. W. S. and A. F. Berry 

 of Gardiner, Montana. These gentlemen have experienced great 

 pleasure in watching this insect pass through its transforrnation and 

 nave acquired a new interest in other insects. 



Glover's silk moth is not to be looked on as a pest of much im- 

 portance. It has been reported to us as feeding on currant and 

 gooseberry, but a series of larvae which we fed through to maturitv 

 in the college insectary refused to eat these plants, and a few died 

 rather than eat, while all in the cage had a shrunken appearance. 

 Willow and maple were eaten freely. The Messrs. Berry fed their 

 specimens on willow. 



This insect, in common with the related species, spends the 

 winter in the cocoon which is of a strong, papery texture, being 

 woven from the silk produced by the larva. It is nearly three 

 iriches long b}^ a little less than half as wide. Superficially examin- 

 ed, the cocoon is alike at both ends, but when looked at more close- 

 ly it is seen that the fibres at one end are left loose and open to allow 

 the moth to pass through at emergence. The pupa lies within the 

 cocoon with the anterior end toward the loosely woven end of the . 

 cocoon. The pupa is of a thick compact form with the abdominal 

 annulations showing plainly. The cases for the legs, wings, and an- 



