1 88 INSECT LIFE, 



the fact that the antennae are not so large as are the 

 antennae of the males. In case a female moth is bred 

 from a cocoon, it is necessarj' that she should be al- 

 lowed to mate with a male in order that her eggs be 

 fertilized. It there be no males in the cage with her, 

 males can usually be obtained by leaving the cage 

 near an open window for a day or two. Frequently 

 under such conditions males will come to the cage 

 in large numbers. Having obtained eggs, it is neces- 

 sary to ascertain the food plant of the larva ; the 

 more common food plants of each of the species is 

 given below. 



Larva of the Giant Silkworms. — These larvae can 

 be found throughout the summer months, but they 

 are more frequently observed in the latter part of the 

 season, when they are nearly or quite full grown. 

 The collection of them is greatly facilitated by 

 searching beneath the trees on which they live for 

 the pellets of excrement which drop to the ground 

 from where they are feeding. In collecting them, 

 note carefully their food plant. 



Cocoons of the Giant Silkworms. — The pupa state 

 of the giant silk-worms is passed within dense silken 

 cocoons, which have suggested their popular name. 

 All of our species pass the winter in this state, and 

 several of them fasten their cocoons to the branches 

 of trees ; consequently it is during the winter months, 

 while the trees are bare, that the cocoons are most 

 often collected. Cocoons which are collected during 

 the winter should be stored in a cool place till spring, 

 so that the adults shall not emerge before it is possi- 

 ble to find food for the larvae that will hatch from 

 their eggs. Even when it is not desired to breed a 



