COLLECTING AND HATCHING CHRYSALIDS. 141 



and set vigorously to eating. They grow rapidly and at- 

 tain their full size in about three months' time, when 

 they go in the chrysalis state. Their food consists of the 

 leaves of elder, spice-bush, currant, lilac, maple, gum 

 tree, and bay-berry bush, and on these shrubs and trees 

 their chrysalids are to be found. They are the most 

 numerous in elder hedges, usually being found within two 

 feet of the ground. The female chrysalis is frequently 

 the largest, being more wrinkled, softer and fuller in 

 form than that of the male ; both are firmly attached on 

 their sides. 



The Promethia moth resembles the Cecropia in form, 

 but is smaller and less brilliant in color. Its habits are 

 also like that species, though it differs in its food and 

 form of chrysalis. The larva of the Promethia moth 

 feeds principally on the wild cherry, sassafrass, and spice- 

 bush. The chrysalids are suspended about an inch with 

 a tough, cord-like material, which forms the upper part 

 of the chrysalis. They hatch a little later than the 

 Cecropia moths. Their scent is unusually keen, and, 

 though nocturnal in habits, they begin their peregrina- 

 tions earlier in the afternoon than the Cecropia species. 



The Luna moth is the most beautiful of our speeies. 

 It is easily recognized by its pale-green color, and the 

 long, delicate, swallow-like tails to its wings. Its eggs 

 are deposited on hickory, and other hard-wooded trees, 

 and occasionally on currant and bay-berry bushes. 



The chrysalids differ from those of the above species, 

 being smooth, oblong, with rounded ends, and rolled in a 

 covering of leaves. When the foliage drops from the 

 trees, chrysalids fall to the ground, and many are des- 

 troyed by mice during winter. This is probably the cause 

 of the Luna being less numerous than others. There are 

 several other large species of beautiful moths, such as the 

 Polyphemus, Imperial, etc., which feed on black-currant 

 bushes, and oak, elm, and butternut trees. The larvas of 



