294 MAINE AGRICULTUR.\L EXPERIMEXT STATION. I906. 



THE CECROPIA MOTH. 



The large gray or brown cocoon of the Cecropia moth is 

 frequently found attached to the twigs of trees. Fig. 36. 



These are spun late in August or September by a green 

 caterpillar about four inches long. The body of the caterpillar 

 is ornate with colored bead-like tubercles, the two pairs nearest 

 the head being red with black spines, and the other dorsal 

 tubercles smaller and yellow. Along the sides of the body the 

 tubercles are bluish. Fig. 35. 



After the cocoon is spun the caterpillar changes to the pupa, 

 a dark brown object which may be found by opening one ot 

 the cocoons during the winter. Fig. 37. 



In the spring the insect breaks open the brown pupal skin 

 and emerges from the cocoon as the adult insect, the largest 

 moth in the State and one of the most beautiful. Its expanded 

 wings measure about five and one-half inches. In color the 

 wings are brownish with a border of gray and submarginal 

 lines of white and red. The form of the markings is better 

 represented by the accompanying illustration (Fig. 38) than 

 by a description. 



The caterpillar is well attended by insect parasites and is 

 devoured by birds. In this State it has not occurred to a 

 troublesome extent and need not be feared as a pest, although 

 it feeds on apple and various forest trees. No remedies usually 

 seem necessary. If the caterpillars are found upon a small 

 tree which they are likely to injure, hand picking will prove 

 effectual. 



Those who find the Cecropia cocoons during the winter are 

 often interested to save them in a warm room for the sake of 

 observing the beautiful moth which emerges. 



