SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT OF STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 1<» 



GLOVHR^S SILK MOTH 



Sdiiiid i^loi'cri Streckcr. 



This is Diie <>1" llic most allractive and vvcjiiderful insects in 

 Montana. Nothing- can be nuirc iK'antit'ul than the newly emerged 

 moth which, with one exception, is the hir^est 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 been 

 surprised and delighted t(j learn that such "rare" specimens exist. 



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

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

 k'wing 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 

 1 leasure in watching this insect pass through its transformation and 

 lia\e 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 maturity 

 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. 

 \\'illow 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 thr,-e 

 iriches long by 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- 



