MOTHS OF THE LIMBERLOST 



writer states that the eyes are so incomplete in develop- 

 ment that a moth only can distinguish Ught from darkness 

 and cannot discern your approach at over five feet. 



This accords with my experience with Cecropia, 

 Polyphemus, Regalis, and Imperiahs. Luna either can 

 see better, hear acutely, or is naturally of more active 

 habit. It is difficult to capture by hand in daytime; 

 and Promethea acts as if its vision were even clearer. 

 This may be the case, as it flies earher in the day than 

 any of the others named, being almost impossible to 

 take by hand unless it is bound to a given spot by sex 

 attraction. Unquestionably the day fliers that feed — 

 the Sphinginse and ChcerocampiriBe groups — have fairly 

 good vision, as also the httle " Clear- wings " tribe, for 

 they fly straight to the nectar-giving flowers and fruits 

 they like best to feed upon, and it is extra good luck if 

 you capture one by hand or even with a net. It must 

 be remembered that all of them see and go to a bright 

 light at night from long distances. 



Holland writes: "The eyes of moths are often greatly 

 developed, " but makes no definite statements as to their 

 range of vision, until he reaches the Catocalae family, of 

 which he records: "The hind wings are, however, most 

 brilUantly coloured. In some species they are banded 

 with pink, in others with crimson; still others have 

 markings of yellow, orange, or snowy white on a back- 

 ground of jet black. These colours are distinctive of 



