CATALOGUE OF INSECTS. 403 



Family PANTHEIDJE. 



These species resemble the owlet moths, but the thorax is shorter, more 

 squared, the head somewhat retracted. They have the same general appear- 

 ance however and are separated chiefly upon characters of venation. None of 

 the species are injurious. 



PANTHEA Hbn. 



P. furcilla Pack. Not actually taken, but certain to be found in the State : 

 the larva on larch and pine. 



DEMAS Stephens. 



D. propinquilinea Grt. Has been taken along the borders of the State and 

 will certainly be found within it : the larva on birch, walnut, maple, oak, 

 beech. 



D. flavicornis Smith. Newark, in May, taken rarely. 



CHARADRA Wlk. 



C deridens Gn. Newark, light, in May (Wdt) : the larva makes a nest on 

 leaves of oak (Dyar) and feeds also on birch and elm. 



RAPHIA Hbn. 



R. frater Grt. Fort Lee (Bt), Jersey City, VII, 21, VIII, 3 (Sb), Staten 

 Island (Ds) : the curious larva on leaves of poplar and willow. 



Family NOCTUIDJE. 



These are the owlet moths, with plump, robust bodies, short, stiff, triangular 

 primaries and broader secondaries. The antennae are usually about half the 

 length of the forewings or a little longer, simple, bristled, or, in the males, 

 sometimes pectinated. They are rarely seen during the day, and derive their 

 common name, "owlets," from their night-flying habits, their eyes in many 

 cases glowing with a phosphorescent light During the day they hide under 

 bark or stones, in out-houses, or wherever they can find shelter. Occasionally 

 they sit brazenly upon the trunks of trees or openly upon stones, their colors 

 and markings blending so perfectly with their surroundings that they are 

 invisible, except to the trained eye ; but at night they fly readily, many of them 

 being attracted to light. 



The caterpillars vary considerably, but many of them are well known as 

 " cut-worms," and decidedly injurious. These may be controlled by using the 

 bran and paris green bait which is elsewhere described. The insects are fond 

 of the bran and will eat it in preference to their normal food. It should be 

 placed at the base of the hills to be protected when plants are set out. 



Specially injurious forms will be noted under the insect heading. 



